Every year on Feb. 5, Women in Sports Day celebrates the accomplishments of female athletes and highlights the continued fight for gender equality in sports. This annual event is not only about recognition, but is a rallying cry to address ongoing disparities in funding, media attention, and support for women in sports, particularly at the collegiate level.
Established in 1987 as National Girls & Women in Sports Day, the celebration honors women who have made significant contributions to athletics and calls attention to the need for equal opportunities. According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, the Title IX Education Amendment passed in 1972. Despite being a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs, female professional and collegiate athletes still face substantial inequalities.
“The progress has been undeniable, but there’s still some ways to go. At the collegiate level, we can still see gaps in terms of funding and resources compared to men’s teams, and that has an impact on our athletes,” said Joe Mallia, head coach of Loyola Maryland Women’s Soccer.
The disparity in funding is one of the biggest issues, with men’s professional sports teams receiving significantly more financial support. According to a news story done on Glamour by Macaela MacKenzie, while making up 40% of all participation in sports, women’s sports only receive 4% of media coverage and far less in sponsorship deals.
Payton Hurley, a junior defender on Loyola’s women’s soccer team, emphasized how these challenges affect athletes on a personal level.
“We work just as hard as any men’s teams, but we don’t always see the same level of attention. It’s frustrating, but it also motivates us to keep pushing. Women in Sports Day is a great reminder of why what we’re doing is so important,” Hurley said.
Mallia added that the gap in media coverage also has a ripple effect, impacting recruitment and the visibility of women’s sports programs.
“When female athletes don’t get the exposure they deserve, it affects everything from sponsorship opportunities to future career prospects. That’s why events like Women in Sports Day are so crucial, they help raise awareness and keep the conversation going,” Mallia said.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement within college athletics to push for more equitable policies. Mallia believes that sustained effort is key to leveling the playing field.
“We need to continue advocating for our athletes, not just for equal pay and media coverage, but for equal treatment across the board, whether that’s better facilities or more investment in our programs,” Mallia said.
As Women in Sports Day continues to inspire discussions about equity in sports, it is clear that the fight is far from over. For college athletes like Hurley, the day serves as both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the work still to be done.
“It’s about making sure the next generation of female athletes doesn’t have to fight the same battles we’re fighting now,” Hurley said.
