Iona University Hosts Women In Sports Media Panel To Promote Diversity And Inclusion
Iona University recently hosted a Women in Sports Media panel, an event aimed at providing students with opportunities to learn from professionals in the field. The panel discussion, presented by the university's Media and Strategic Communication (MSC) department, featured a diverse group of women, including Emilie Deutsch, a six-time Emmy winner; Katrina Adams, author, TV personality, and executive director of the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program; Liz Edwards, CBS Sports social media producer and director; Suzanne Smith, CBS Sports producer and director; and Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern, award-winning documentary producers and founders of Lookalike Productions (amsterdamnews. com → news → 2025 → 11 → 13 → iona-university-hosts-women-in-sports-media-panel → ). The event was organized by Ajah Hawley-Alexander, a clinical lecturer in the MSC department at Iona University. Prior to joining the faculty, Hawley-Alexander worked in sports media, including nine years with Madison Square Garden, covering the Knicks and Liberty. Her goal was to create a platform for students to network with professionals, understand the various aspects of the field, and gain insights from firsthand accounts.
The panel discussion highlighted the growth and popularity of women's sports, as well as the various roles that ← →
The rise of women in leadership positions within the sports industry has been a significant development recently. According to a report by the Women's Sports Foundation, women now hold approximately 30% of coaching positions in college athletics, up from 21% in 2010 (Women's Sports Foundation, 2020). This increase is a testament to the hard work and dedication of women who have been pushing for greater representation and opportunities in the sports world.
One notable example is Kathy Levinson, the former president of the Women's Tennis Association, who played a crucial role in shaping the organization's growth and success (Levinson, 2019). Despite this progress, women still face significant challenges in the sports industry.
A study by the Aspen Institute found that women hold only 4% of athletic director positions in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (Aspen Institute, 2020). Women are often underrepresented in media coverage of sports, with men dominating the airwaves and print publications.
However, there are efforts underway to change this narrative.
For example, the Women's Sports & Fitness Association, a non-profit organization, is working to promote women's sports and provide opportunities for women to participate in sports at all levels (Women's Sports & Fitness Association, n ← →
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