Celebrating National Girls And Women In Sports Day
2/4/2026
As we celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, it is a powerful reminder of the impact athletics can have in shaping confidence, leadership, and lifelong opportunity. As a father of three daughters, this day is especially meaningful to me. I’ve seen firsthand how sports can empower young women to believe in themselves, compete with courage, and chase their dreams without limits. At Maryland, we are committed to providing an environment where girls and women can thrive, on the field and court, in the classroom, as leaders, and in life. Today, we celebrate the trailblazers who came before us and reaffirm our responsibility to continue opening doors for the next generation of strong, fearless Terps.
– Jim Smith, Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics
From student-athletes to coaches and administrators, these voices reflect a shared belief that sports are more than competition; they showcase confidence, leadership, and lifelong growth. Together, their stories show how Maryland women are breaking barriers, creating opportunity, and building a culture where belonging, resilience, and representation matter. At its heart, this collective spirit is about paying forward the power of sport, inspiring the next generation to dream bigger, lead boldly, and know they belong.
Maia Adamson
Field Hockey
To be a woman in sports is to work hard, compete with heart, believing in your strength, using your voice, and inspiring the next generation to dream bigger than limits and show that dedication and passion belong to everyone.
Carrie Blankenship
Senior Associate Athletic Director - External Operations
As a former Division I student-athlete, sports shaped who I am long before it became my career. The lessons I learned through competition, including discipline, resilience, teamwork, and confidence, have guided me through the past 20 years at the University of Maryland. As a woman working in college athletics, it means a great deal to me to look back with pride on that journey and to continue creating meaningful moments for student-athletes and fans that reflect the impact sports can have at every level.
Marie Brown
Assistant AD - Ticket Operations & Customer Service
Being a woman in sports means breaking norms, challenging expectations, and redefining what leadership looks like. By taking up space and trusting my voice, I’m proud of the path I’ve built and grateful for the opportunities I’ve helped create for those coming behind me.
Logan Buckmon
Gymnastics
Being a woman in sports feels so empowering, especially looking around and seeing what's going on. It feels like I'm part of something important, even if I'm not a big celebrity or a well-known individual. The fact that I'm a part of this movement of more women being a part of sports, and sports channels like ESPN and FOX showing more women's sports, is amazing. I want to be part of that. I want to be a part of that push and that attraction to women's sports. I think going out there and exuding confidence while still being human and fearless in what I want to go after and how I do it is really important.
Katie Dougherty
Women's Tennis Head Coach
Sports can be life-changing for girls and women of all ages, abilities and types of involvement. Life-long friends, fitness, structure, careers and opportunities flourish when women get involved in sports. I’m fortunate to have benefited from and built a career in women’s collegiate athletics. I get to see first hand everyday the impact of the lessons sports impart on our student-athletes on the court, in the classroom and in life.
Kori Edmondson
Women's Lacrosse
One of the most rewarding things in my career has been being able to look up in the stands and see little girls with a jersey on. I was the girl wearing Taylor Cummings' jersey, so to be able to be that role model for girls lets me take a step back and be grateful for the position I'm in.
Libby Ellis
Associate AD - Sports Administration
The University of Maryland has an incredible history of women leading in sports, and I am grateful to become a part of that tradition. I've grown from a student manager to an athletic administrator in College Park - a journey that only happens with great support and investment from others. My mentors have challenged me to see a future beyond what I thought was possible, and I'm grateful to provide that same guidance for our next generation of women in sports."
Aida Eissa
Women's Tennis
To me, being a woman in sports has taught me to show up consistently, do the work even when it’s hard, embrace growth, and carry the confidence to know I belong here.
Caroline Fox
Softball
When it comes to being a woman in sports, it's really awesome to see what all girls are doing in sports, especially at the D1 level. It's super cool to see us all come together and compete and be able to do what we do every day. It's such a blessing, and I'm really excited to see how women's college athletics keeps growing from here.
Brenda Frese
Women's Basketball Head Coach
As an athlete and now a coach, sports have had such an impact on my life. The relationships and opportunities sports bring are why I love coaching our young women. So many life lessons come through the hard work, commitment and sisterhood of competing in sports.
Josie Hollamon
Field Hockey
Being a woman in sport is such an honor. We have an opportunity to show our elite skill sets and perform at the highest level while representing the University of Maryland.
Kelly Hovland
Women's Golf Head Coach
Being a woman in sports is such a special experience I am forever grateful for. We are helping shape our future leaders, while giving our ladies amazing opportunities alongside their teammates and sisters. I am so thankful for the doors sports have opened for me and my goal is a coach to help your women work to be the best version of themselves!
Lauren Karn
Softball Head Coach
Being a female coach has been both rewarding and challenging beyond the field. I’m grateful for the chance to show my athletes that women can lead boldly, pursue their dreams and also raise a family.
Ann Marie Kennedy
Dance Team Head Coach
The Maryland Dance Team blends athleticism and artistry, providing energy and support for our fellow athletes while representing our university with pride.
Resa Lovelace
Associate AD - Student-Athlete Development and Inclusive Excellence
Being a woman working in sports means showing up every day with purpose, resilience, and belief, even in spaces where you may be the first or one of the few. I am proud of the path I’ve built through leadership, service, and advocacy, and even more proud of the impact that work has on the lives of student-athletes and colleagues. My journey reminds me that representation matters, and that when women lead with authenticity and intention, we create environments where others can thrive.
Kennedy Major
Women's Lacrosse
Growing up, it's always been a goal of mine to get to the point where I can be a role model for younger girls. To accomplish that and play at the college level is a blessing. It just goes to show that results will come with hard work, and that would be my message to younger women.
Missy Meharg
Field Hockey Head Coach
Sport inspires girls and women to be better, to be stronger and successfully thrive in today's competitive world. It teaches life lessons of determination and how teamwork makes our dreams work
Mia Mitchell
Women's Soccer
For me personally, being a woman in sports is bigger than what it says. Being a woman in sports provides me with a community that has the power to uplift and change my perspective in every aspect of my life. My sport gives me the confidence of knowing I belong everywhere, whether it be in class, in a workspace, and places where my identity is underrepresented. Being able to play a sport with people of similar upbringings allows for younger people, older people, and people of all different walks of life to know that they too belong. Being a woman in sports gives us a platform to speak up for those who aren’t yet comfortable in the spaces they are in.
Rachel Palmer
Assistant AD - Fan Development & Event Marketing
From my first day working at Maryland, I’ve felt incredibly empowered and supported. It meant a lot to me as a young professional to see so many strong women in positions of leadership, and I’m grateful to now get to be that person for other women entering their careers in sports. Many of my favorite moments throughout my career have been from working with our incredible, inspiring women’s teams and the memories we've created for them and our fans.
Cathy Reese
Women's Lacrosse Head Coach
Being involved in women’s sports is a privilege that allows me to help shape strong, confident leaders. The lessons, relationships, and opportunities athletics provide are invaluable, and as a coach, my purpose is to help young women maximize their potential.
Eva Rogers
Cross Country/Track & Field
Growing up, I admired and looked up to so many female athletes, and I still do today. Their incredible achievements, hard work, and discipline motivate me to keep improving. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to carry on the legacy of women in sports while competing at the Division I level, and I hope to inspire others to follow their dreams too!
Eva Rohrbach
Volleyball
To me, being a woman in sports is about confidence, discipline, and using my voice. I’m grateful to compete alongside women who push boundaries and inspire the next generation to dream big!
Jessica Shumway
Cheerleading Head Coach
As a woman in sports, my role has called for resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment, especially while balancing the demands of leadership with motherhood. Navigating these challenges has shown me the importance of building sustainable and supportive structures within our program. I am most proud of the culture my staff and I have built to foster both the personal and athletic growth of our student-athletes.
Madison Trout
Track & Field
Being a woman in sport has fundamentally shaped me as a person, and I am constantly inspired by the amazing women who I get to call my coaches and teammates. From starting as a young girl who was just eager to play and compete, to becoming a D1 collegiate athlete and being able to help foster confidence and community in young women and girls who will come after me.
Sammi Woods
Softball
It means more than words can express. After playing a home game and seeing all the little girls line up, it honestly takes my mind away from softball, and just puts me back into that 10 or 11-year-old self. I was one of those girls looking up to older players, so knowing that I can be that role model for them, like I said, means more than words can express. It keeps me accountable for being appreciative of my ability, my body, and the way I can play softball.
