National Girls & Women in Sports Day is an annual day of observance held during the first week of February to acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes, recognize the influence of sports participation for women and girls, and honor the progress and continuing struggle for equality for women in sports. This year, NGWSD is on February 3rd, 2021. To celebrate the day, Buffalo Sports & Entertainment Law Society wanted to spotlight female sports figures in the community to share their story. First up, we have Helen (Nellie) Drew and Kathleen (Kathy) Twist. Stay tuned for more incredible women throughout the week!
Nellie Drew
What do you do for a living?
Sports Law Professor and Director for the Advancement of Sport at the University at Buffalo.
What sport(s) did you play and what was the highest level you played at?
Tennis, soccer, ice hockey – club, college, intramural coed.
If you played at the collegiate/professional level, where did you play?
Harvard University – intramural (mens).
What is your proudest athletic achievement?
Winning the intramural championship as the only woman in a “coed” league.
How have sports impacted your personal life?
Sports have provided discipline, learning how to be the only woman in the room/on the ice, experience in teamwork, the opportunity to create relationships – especially with other women – that I would not have had otherwise. As a parent, sports have provided me the chance to share growth and personal development with my children.
How have sports impacted your professional life?
It’s BEEN my professional life. Who says you have to grow up? Seriously, when you can work at what you love – and I get to combine a passion for young people, sports and education – it just doesn’t get any better!
What is your connection to sports now?
Teaching sports law, facilitating interdisciplinary opportunities for students interested in careers in the sports industry and working as part of Project Play WNY’s Train All Coaches initiative to improve athletic opportunities for all young people. Personally, facilitating both club and high school sports opportunities as a parent for my children.
If you could give advice to a younger generation of female athletes, what would it be?
Don’t accept inequity. It’s wrong, no matter how long it has existed, or how engrained it is. You deserve the same treatment, facilities, opportunities and respect as any other person, regardless of sex. That’s true on and off the athletic field, and certainly in employment. Don’t accept less.
Final thoughts on National Girls & Women in Sports Day:
As the mom of 7 – including 5 daughters – I am encouraged by the progress I see in women’s athletics, but I also know there is more work to do. I look forward to a time when we can celebrate women’s achievements as athletes, coaches and sports industry executives as the norm.
Kathy Twist
What do you do for a living?
I am retired from the University at Buffalo. I was an assistant coach, head coach, Senior Associate Athletic Director, and Interim Athletic Director at UB. I am presently doing consulting.
What sport(s) did you play and what was the highest level you played at?
Tennis and Basketball – Collegiate level DIII
If you played at the collegiate/professional level, where did you play?
Buffalo, NY – D’Youville College
What is your proudest athletic achievement?
My team winning UB’s First MAC Championship and playing in the NCAA Tournament.
How have sports impacted your personal life?
I have looked at sports as a best friend. Sports helped me develop my talents, character and personality. Sports was a safe place were I could release negativity and build my confidence.
How have sports impacted your professional life?
Sports gave me a means of making a living in athletics. My experience playing sports taught me to be inclusive and honesty builds trust.
What is your connection to sports now?
Consulting.
If you could give advice to a younger generation of female athletes, what would it be?
Understand who you are so you can explore what you want. Once you know what you want, be the best and don’t let anyone or anything defeat you.
Final thoughts on National Girls & Women in Sports Day:
NGWSD is a special day to celebrate all that we have accomplished. There is more to come!
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