Storyline: 2015 was a year of women’s firsts in sports. We saw multiple female pioneers in an industry that has been called the most hegemonic industry in the world. It shows that a culture can change. Written by Tanner Bisbee, Maine. Read Tanner’s book, Modern Day Sports Blog.
2015 may have been The Year of Women in Sports, which is good news for all of us. It seems that a portion of the glass ceiling has broken and women have made their way into the world’s most hegemonic industry. For this we must recognize and highlight some of the doors that women have opened in sports.
Courtesy: blog.coachup.com
First NFL Coach This past July Jen Welter became the first woman to serve on a NFL coaching staff. Welter was hired by the Arizona Cardinals as an intern coach for inside linebackers during the preseason. Prior to breaking the NFL coaching barrier Welter spent 14 years in the Champions Indoor Football League as the first woman to play a non-kicking position. Later, she was hired as an assistant coach for the Texas Revolution. While her coaching stint only lasted a month it still was one of the most important cultural shifts in sports. Welter now works as an NFL analyst for a Phoenix broadcasting network.
First NFL Official In April, the NFL named Sarah Thomas as the first full-time female referee. That allowed the 19- year veteran and eight-year Conference USA official to shine new light into the profession. Thomas was backed by her strong resume, including being the first female to officiate a major collegiate bowl game. Thomas began her journey in 1999 at the high school football level.
Becky Hammon (photo: refinery29.com)
First NBA Coach Hired by Sacramento Kings A year after Becky Hammon broke into the NBA (hired by the San Antonio Spurs), fellow female Nancy Lieberman joined the Sacramento Kings. Lieberman is no stranger to the spotlight. In 2009 she was named the first head coach in the NBA when she took the head role for the Dallas Mavericks D-League affiliate, Texas Legends. At age 39 Lieberman was one of the original players during the 1997 inaugural season of the WNBA.
First Female Announcer Jessica Mendoza was a four-time all-American in college softball. She made history this past August when she became the first female analyst on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. A few weeks later she was the first woman to call a playoff game and a World Series. Despite immediate backlash received in the form of nasty tweets Mendoza continues to be a pioneer in the industry.
First MLB Coach Justine Siegal has flown under the radar, quietly becoming the first woman (2009) to coach pro baseball (Brockton Rock). Later she was the first woman to throw MLB batting practice (for the Oakland Athletics). In September Siegal was hired on to the coaching staff of Oakland’s Instructional League. It seems now that people will know the name, Justine Siegal.
Courtesy: finance.yahoo.com
First Paid Women’s Hockey League History was made October 11 as the puck dropped on the inaugural season for the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL)—the first paid women’s hockey league. The league consists of four teams and an 18-game regular season. Manon Rheaume, the first woman to appear in an NHL game, dropped the inaugural puck.
First Woman on the Cover of Men’s Fitness Ronda Rousey is the fiercest woman in the UFC ring. Now she has become the first woman to appear on the cover of Men’s Fitness. In October Rousey graced the cover of Men’s Fitness Australia for its “Hardcore Fight Special Edition.” Rousey’s feat hasn’t come without heavy criticism. But as Ronda Rousey does in the ring, she puts enemies in their place.
First Female Athletic Apparel Brand Major ground was broken when Oiselle became the first women’s-only sports brand to pick up a major college program. This September, Yale cross country and track and field signed an exclusive deal with Oiselle. That’s not the only milestone. Every year since its inception (2007), Oiselle has doubled in growth and has logged projected revenue of $10 million this year alone.
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There’s no doubt that 2015 was the year of women’s firsts in sports. We saw female pioneers in an industry that has been called the most hegemonic industry in the world.
It shows that a culture can change. I can’t wait to see what happens in 2016. If we can build off what was accomplished last year, then there’s no telling what the industry can become.
