Revenue levels in women’s athletics have often been overshadowed by the immense profit brought in by men’s sports organizations such as the National Basketball Association or the National Football League. However, 2024 is expected to bring in a lofty profit of over $1 billion dollars for women’s elite athletics, which includes professional organizations as well as high-level amateur competitions, namely Division I collegiate sports and the Olympics.
The fight for collegiate athletes to be compensated for the use of their name, image and likeness has been a major debate across the country for years, especially in the Division I sphere. Now, thanks to companies like NOCAP Sports, that fight to be compensated for the right of publicity is over. Student-athletes across divisions will be able to benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness, rights defined as NIL by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Mount Holyoke College Volleyball hosted its last home game of the season against Clark University, a fellow New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference member, on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Cheering them on in the stands were entrants of the team’s Halloween costume contest, which gave out prizes for both individual and group costumes.
The Mount Holyoke College Squash team has welcomed a new head coach this year.
Lauren Xaba replaced former coach Erin Robson, who had held the role since the 2012-13 season. A Philadelphia native and University of Pennsylvania alum, Xaba has returned to coaching squash and to become a part of the Mount Holyoke community.
Mount Holyoke College Soccer finished up their fall season on Saturday, Oct. 28, in a home game against Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Although the Lyons fell to the Engineers 3-0, they played hard. Goalie Shan Breen ’24 made two saves in the first half, and goalie Evie Krieg ’27 made five saves in the second half.
KJ Reese is the newest member of the Mount Holyoke College Athletics Department.
Hired in August 2023, Reese received a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Ethnic Minorities and Women’s Internship Grant, giving him the new position of student-athlete development and promotions coordinator at the College. Through his position, Reese works directly with student-athletes to improve their capabilities within and outside their sport. He is responsible for leading various workshops and aiding with the development of leadership initiatives.
Mount Holyoke College Riding competed at the Williams College Show at Bonnie Lea Farm on Saturday, Oct. 14, placing ahead of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Springfield College, Amherst College, Williams College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Bennington College. The Lyons came in first place with 47 points, an 18-point advantage over UMass Amherst, who placed second with 29 points.
The National Hockey League recently announced a ban on the use of Pride Tape by players during games, warm-ups and practices, as reported by MSNBC. The rainbow athletic tape has been utilized by many professional hockey players as a way to show support for the LGBTQ+ community and to promote a more inclusive athletic environment.
After a three-year delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mount Holyoke College Athletics admitted its fourth class of inductees to the Athletics Hall of Fame, according to a press release on the Lyons Athletics website. Catherine Herrold ’00, Langhan Dee ’04, Mary Mazzio ’83, Elizabeth Kennan ’60 and Penny Schneider Calf ’68 were all honored in a reception and dinner at the Willits-Hallowell Conference Center on Thursday, May 25.
