GAME CHANGERS

Women and sports: They just belong

WORDS BY SAVANNAH RICHARDSON

S

Spoiler alert: Women are taking over the sports media industry, one milestone at a time.

Women in sports are a rare breed, we love makeup, and know what a middle linebacker is — it’s a unique balance, I know. column about what it meant to be “a woman in sports,” I jumped at the chance — I mean who wouldn’t.

My immediate reaction was, “oh, this will be easy, because I love what I do,” then I thought about how important my role is as a female sports reporter, and I had to reflect on what this role means. Not just to me, but to the future females who want to be in this industry.

There have been countless times I’ve been told I wasn’t good enough, didn’t belong, how I, a woman, would never understand football like a man ... and still, I wouldn’t trade being in this industry for anything.

At the same time, I’ve received just as many positive comments and support — especially here in the Golden Isles. ments, here I am, a full-time female sports reporter for The Brunswick News.

I’m not like the average sports reporter — I’ve got spunk, sass, and passion. You need those to be a female in this industry. Like one of the most popular phrases of the last year — “it’s essential.”

Since arriving in the Golden Isles almost two years ago, this community has embraced me and grown to enjoy my golf and football columns along with local high school coverage.

I’ve gained some memories that will be carried with me forever because this is where it all started for me.

Granted, I’ve covered sports since I started college in 2013 and haven’t looked back, but The Brunswick News was my first “big girl” job. It’s challenged me in many ways, but it’s rewarded me far more.

From Brunswick High’s football coach Sean Pender teaching me about the Xs and Os in the film room to Harris English and other local PGA Tour players taking time to talk with me throughout the last two years, they welcomed and embraced who I am as a writer.

I could go on and on, but we’d be here for days.

This community has worked through my golf column’s growing pains and listened to me be “a homer” about Georgia football. And without the RSM Classic, I wouldn’t know how incredible golf is.

There are so many inspirational athletes and people in this community, and I honestly hit the jackpot.

So I go back to the question of what it means to be a female in this world, I think the best way to describe it is, and this may sound cliche, but priceless.

It also means a lot of hard work and sacrifices. It means breaking the mold of old stereotypes and proving yourself every single day.

I won’t lie. It’s tough to be a female in this industry. Adversity hits almost every single day, and we have to fight twice as hard to get our voices heard.

If I’m even more honest, while women are widely accepted in the sports world, there is still a fair share of bigotry out there.

This industry isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for a person who is willing to sacrifice it all for their passion.

Who does that remind you of? Athletes.

Of course, it does, because that is what athletes do. They make sacrifices to achieve their goals. I’m doing the same, just with a laptop and a camera.

It’s why I chose ... well, sports chose me. I love telling people’s stories, and by now, we should all know athletes and coaches have some of the best.

Being a female in a male-dominant industry is a privilege because, hopefully, I get to be an inspiration to other women.

It also gives me an opportunity daily to prove to myself I deserve to be in this spot, that my opinion and voice matter too.

For all the women who love sports, don’t be silenced. Chase your goals and speak your mind. Females know about sports too, and our voices will be heard. CUSTOMS • 100 Year Old Reclaimed Barn Pine Body • Gibson 24 3/4” Scale Roasted Maple Neck • Indian/Rosewood Fretboard with Stainless Steel Frets • Lollar 52’ Pickups • Copper Shielding with Sheet metal aged pickguard • Custom Made Half Dollar Knobs with Bourns Pots 250k w/.047 cap • Volume Tone Mod + Blender Knob • Wilkinson Tremolo • White Tusq Nut • Sperzel 12:1 Locking Tuners • Schaller Locking Strap Locks • Padded Case

502 Gloucester St. | Suite 102 | 912.275.8686 Monday - Friday 10am - 7pm | Saturday 10am - 5pm

Now Offering Pronox®:

Reduce Anxiety & Discomfort in All Office Procedures

SUFFERING FROM AN ENLARGED PROSTATE? BPH MEDS GOT YOU DOWN? GET BACK INTO THE SWING

SYMPTOM RELIEF FROM ENLARGED PROSTATE WITHOUT ONGOING MEDICATION OR MAJOR SURGERY

Most common side effects are mild to moderate and include pain or burning with urination, blood in the urine, pelvic pain, urgent need to urinate and/or the inability to control the urge. Most symptoms resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure.

MAC00862-01 Rev A

Joseph A. Lanzone Jr., MD

Board Certified Urologist 2500 Starling Street, Suite 406, Brunswick, GA 31520

912.261.0447 | Toll Free 1.866.734.8272

James M. Muse Jr., MD

Board Certified Urologist