Women In Sport Wednesday

by: Madison Hedding

A one-on-one in-depth series sharing the stories of women in sports, shedding light on issues and challenges that women in sports face, and how to navigate those to be successful in this industry. 

Who: Audrey Gunther
Title: Coordinator of Marketing and Promotions at Providence College
Social Handles: Twitter: audjgunth | Insta: audjgunth

"I've always felt that I needed to prove that I know what I'm doing, just because I am a female in a male-dominated industry. I have to make sure I'm always on, and always dressed professionally, and always ready to go with a smile… kind of like a flight attendant, game day mask on and everything let's go do it attitude."

What's your story? 

Audrey was fortunate enough to have parents growing up that, starting from the day she was born, brought her into the world of sports. Growing up in the North Eastern United States, she became a UConn and Celtics basketball fan without hesitation. Her parents were so passionate about sports and saw what joy they brought to those around that environment that they wanted Audrey to participate in sports, no matter what capacity that would be in. "I learned pretty quickly that I was not an athlete, and that I was better suited as a fan." Thus, opening her mind to the world of possibilities that could come from working courtside at a young age. 

During her time in middle school, she would travel watching Big East basketball with her dad and grandfather. In his younger days, they went to UConn and was a men's basketball manager and played soccer until she broke the family tradition and started to acquire a taste for Villanova basketball before their national championship days. 

When Audrey got to high school, she was presented with an opportunity that would soon shed light on her passion for sports. During her Junior year of high school, she took a sports marketing elective, and with the help of her teacher, Mrs. Newbegin, Audrey realized she had another level of interest in this field. "It was the first time that I finally put the pieces together that there's this whole other career of people that work behind the scenes to make everything happen." Then, the light bulb was fully illuminated, and Audrey knew that she wanted to work in sports, but she had to get her taste of different fields before settling in on the right one. 

Because of the sprouting passion, she wanted to continue her venture into sports by looking at colleges that offered sport management for their majors. She eventually settled in on West Virginia University. "I can't say enough good things about West Virginia, anyone who follows me on Twitter knows that." A few (short but very long) years later, she graduated with both her Bachelor's and Masters in Sport Management. "I knew at a young age that I wanted to work in sports and was fortunate to have people who pointed me in the right direction to pursue what I love. I've also been fortunate to have a ton of good role models in my life and good people with good advice and good direction." Putting those puzzle pieces together is one of the best feelings. 

Audrey was naturally illuminated with motivation not to leave any stone unturned and tried it all. From being a minor league baseball groundskeeper to a PR/Talent Manager and everything in between, she made sure she experienced the full spectrum of sports. "But the internship that I realized that I thought this is something I could see long term was with West Virginia's club hockey team."

Yes, you read that right, club hockey. Not Division I, not even Division II or III, but club hockey. Because of this, she was able to get a lot of control and experience more so than someone who works with a Division I team, or an undergrad intern would have had. She worked under Lauren Fozard, the Director of Marketing at the time, and she taught Audrey everything under the sun about sports marketing with real-life game experience. "I was running an ice hockey game, and it was so cool. Not many schools have ice hockey, so during the following years in the interview process and getting a full-time job, it was super beneficial in setting me apart from other candidates in that process." She realized this job was so much more than a job. It would be something that she could come to work every day and do, and genuinely love what she does. It would be challenging, but something she enjoyed. Once everything came full circle, Audrey took the next step and found her next stepping stone to University at Albany. 

She was there for a year, as one of the two-person marketing team. Working for a smaller Division I athletic department, she got to do it all, yet again. Including taking the crazy ride of working with the men's lacrosse team as they earned a seat at the final four. After her yearlong position there, she was allowed to come to Providence College in 2018 full time. 

With that career move, Audrey has been at Providence College ever since. She's been fortunate to work with both the men's and women's hockey teams, as her niche and experience for the sport have given her the advantage to be successful in her career. Audrey truly believes she has gotten to where she is because of "a lot of luck, a lot of great people and a lot of hard work." Hard work and luck can get you a long way in the sports industry; you just have to find your pot of gold like Audrey did. 

Share some struggles/challenges you have had to overcome that you face as a woman working in sports? 

"Women in sport go through so much unnecessary adversary compared to our male counterparts." Unnecessary. That is the keyword here. Useless comments, unnecessary actions, and pointless everything that no women should ever have to experience, more or less put up with, in any industry. Such brave women have come out and shared their stories in recent times, thus pushing the narrative to talk about the struggles and challenges that women face in sports. This is an issue that needs to be talked about, and often. 

Audrey has always felt that she's had to prove to everyone in a room that she knew what she was doing, and men don't have to do that. She always has to have her game-day mask on. "I have to make sure I'm always on, always dressed professionally, always ready to go with a smile… kind of like a flight attendant, game day mask on and everything let's go do it attitude." She's also faced unnecessary lash back and had to come to terms that it's not okay for women to have a bad day, especially outwardly or during the heat of a game. If you are upset, you should be able to be upset within reason, and you can't do that and be perceived as a man would in that situation. That's not something you should settle for a job; emotions are healthy, and not had by one sex or another. Emotions are not unnecessary. Sports and feelings go hand in hand (have you ever cried watching an ESPN commercial or Game Day mini-documentary?? Yeah, I thought so…) Why should it be looked down on to have them if you are a woman working in sports? Great question if you ask me. 

Even in her younger days in sports, working in Minor League Baseball, Audrey experienced unnecessary instances in which she felt uncomfortable, and was told it was because she was a female. Working as a groundskeeper one day, she was going in to do the opposing teams bullpen. She was told to leave the area as she would be a distraction to the players by the opposing coach. She was a groundskeeper, just trying to do her job. The opposing team then got upset because the situation didn't get done. Audrey was lucky enough to have a male boss who backed her up. "He knew that just because I was a woman, didn't mean I wasn't strong enough or willing to work as hard as my male counterparts and could do my job. And often, we did a better job than the guys." She was shovelling dirt and was told she was an unnecessary distraction. Not sure how that comes off as a distraction, but then again, any time a situation of this nature is brought to light, it never seems to make sense. This was 2015. It's now 2020, and things haven't gotten any better for women in sports dealing with unnecessary comments like this daily, who are merely doing their jobs. 

But through the foggy glass, Audrey has come to find a place that would wipe that glass clear, in a position at a university that champions women in sports. "They walk the walk and talk the talk. They do champion women here, and that isn't the case in most places." Looking across the country and working in sports, women are always seen as a lesser force. But at Providence College, Audrey has been lucky to work under a different administration both featuring male and female counterparts that have always treated her as an equal, gave her credit when it's due in her court, has found where she thrives, provides the work with that complements strengths to build her up. She has never felt as if her gender has limited her from pursuing any opportunity. Correctly, she has worked alongside Nina Bymark, the Assistant Director for Schneider Arena and program operations. Theresa Feaster, the Assistant Coach of the men's hockey program, and is the first female on the U.S. World Junior Championship team. 

It's tough, coming in as a woman working in such a dominant male industry. Audrey feels empowered working at an institution that champions women in sport, but not every school feels that way. Not every coach feels that way. And Not other people in athletic administration feel that way. And that's a challenge that's difficult to learn how to get through. 

What is the best advice you can give a woman who is either just getting her foot in the industry, or already working in sports to navigate the struggles and challenges we face? 

Coming full circle through good bad and indifferent, females especially need encouragement and to be empowered in this industry, whether just starting out or if they have been working years in the field. "Be comfortable in asking for what you deserve. Especially during a time of uncertainty, you want to feel valued as a member of a team." Even during the regular grind of the year, working in sports isn't easy; and if you're overworked and undervalued as most women in games are, it can really take a mental and physical toll on you, and cause burnout very quickly.

"It is so important for those in the hiring process now or questioning if sports are where you want to be long term, to work somewhere where you are treated like family and that you are important. But, also, do not be afraid to settle and take a step back to realize what your value is. That's what's important." The job market right now with COVID-19 is more robust than ever, and people are sacrificing their values by whatever means necessary, just to get a job and their foot in the door in sports. Know your worth, and know when not to be taken advantage of. It's a massive issue in the sports industry. If you don't grind 24/7, it's a well-known thought process that someone is waiting to do your job. "Women get so easily burnt out from that and having to prove themselves constantly." Stand behind what you can bring to the table for any organization. "It's okay to wait, and it's okay to bet on yourself. Don't settle because you feel lesser for being a woman in sports – it's not worth it, and it never will be." 

There a lot of tough situations that women in sports face daily. From sexual harassment, to doubt, to not giving you credit for something you did, it's a constant unnecessary force in the world of sports. It's heartbreaking and something that needs to be in the light and in the conversation to continue so we can change the narrative. Not only do women need to empower other women in sports, but we need men to enable women undoubtedly. The only way this will change is to be the ones setting examples of how to treat women, as equals, someone who can do their job just as right as they could, and someone who unequivocally has a passion and drive for their roles in sports. The world of sports is beautiful, but there are some demons in the shadows tugging unnecessarily on women every day. Let's be the generation that changes the story, let's be the ones to write a new chapter in the book, and be the ones that are championing women in sports. ​