When I first started at the NCAA, I constantly got asked the question: ???What kind of career are you looking to pursue???? I used to be hesitant to answer, for I really had no clue. All that I knew is that I wanted to work in intercollegiate athletics. But attending NACWAA this past weekend finally gave me the epiphany I was searching for! The convention inspired me to pursue volleyball coaching or an athletics director position at an institution.

Walking into a conference full of accomplished women with a nametag that clearly stated ???Intern??? was quite intimidating. How was I going to meet these women? Would they be approachable? What kind of questions would I ask?

It was time to put my callow networking skills to the test. Shaky and nervous at first, I approached a couple of people and immediately struck up conversations with them. Granted, I misspoke a couple of times and blanked out on questions to ask a few times, but it continually got easier to make a connection to these talented women???not just because my networking skills improved, but because each individual was sincerely genuine, personable and welcoming. It was an ideal environment to meet those who I idolize and hope to emulate. (I have to give a shout-out to one of these wonderful role models, Nikki Fennern, a former UW-River Falls Falcon and current Athletics Director at St. Mary???s University-Minnesota! She reads my blogs!)

In addition to valuable networking, I also attended exceptional workshops and professional development sessions, such as ???Hosting Professional Development Programs,??? ???Gaining a Competitive Edge in Today???s Society??? and ???History of Women???s Sports Through Stories.??? Four remarkable women, Merrily Dean Baker, Dr. Phebe Scott, Sharon E. Taylor and Dr. Charlotte West, shared stories about the progression of women???s athletics and the building of women???s athletics departments.

After listening to their stories, I realized that I would not have had a 12-year volleyball career if it wasn???t for their efforts. So, for those of you amazing women who are reading, thank you for giving me an opportunity to play, to succeed, to lead, to be a student-athlete. If it wouldn???t have been for your tireless efforts, I simply would not be who I am today.

Perhaps the most intriguing session was Dr. Bernice Sandler???s presentation ???The Untold Story of Title IX: How We Got It When No One Was Looking.??? Being a novice in the athletics arena, I never realized the incredible history and struggle behind women???s participation in sports. Dr. Sandler discussed the status of women in sports before Title IX. For example, women didn???t have any athletics insurance, trainers, team doctors, budget for travel, scholarships or couldn???t even take coaching classes on campus. Also, the women usually sewed their own uniforms and had to sell apples at football games to earn money for a bus.

Although we have come a long way since then, Dr. Sandler educated us on still what needs to be done and the steps we can take to continue enhancing the women???s athletics landscape.
A former student-athlete and an upcoming athletics administrator, I am so fortunate to have had the chance to meet these extraordinary women who have paved the way for me.

I am already looking forward to the next NACWAA National Convention. I strongly encourage every woman interested in athletics administration to attend! Not only will you be inspired by all the members, you will also have the opportunity to meet and network with those women who are truly making a difference. One last piece of advice???if you go, don???t forget your business cards!