As National Girls and Women in Sports Day was recognized this week, students in the Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM) at MSU were also celebrating a community built around connection, mentorship and shared passion for sports.
AWSM marked the week by highlighting its growing student organization, which supports students interested in sports media, business and culture.
“Our club is open to everyone regardless of gender and major,” said Olivia Austin, a sports journalism student and the club’s president. “Most of our members are ComArtSci students, but we also have other colleges represented as well.”
Building community through sports media
AWSM focuses on both professional development and community building. Throughout the academic year, the club hosts guest speaker events featuring women working across the sports industry, offering members exposure to a wide range of careers, leagues and professional experiences.
“Our guest speaker events are a Q&A session with a woman within the sports industry,” Austin said. “We try to bring a wide variety of speakers in different job interests, leagues and parts of the country.”
The organization also prioritizes connection among its members, who now number nearly 100. Bonding events include attending MSU athletic competitions, watch parties, craft nights and annual trips to Detroit professional sports games. The group also attends campus and regional sporting events together, including this week’s “Duel in the D.”
Austin said the sense of belonging is what initially drew her to AWSM as a freshman.
“I joined AWSM right away and met some of my best friends through this club,” she said. “Because of this club, I now have friends who are older than me and scattered around the country in so many different roles. That’s something pretty unique to the sports industry.”
Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day
This year marked AWSM’s first time planning a large-scale National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebration. The week included a virtual alumni panel featuring MSU graduates working across the sports industry, followed by a group visit to paint The Rock on campus.
Joanne C. Gerstner, sports journalism program coordinator in the School of Journalism and faculty adviser for AWSM, said the week’s events highlight both the students and the broader impact of the organization.
“For our students, it represents a celebration of them,” Gerstner said. “As a sports writer, former college athlete and professor working with students heading into the business, it’s meaningful to see them supported and recognized through this community.”
Professional development and real-world connections
Membership in AWSM has more than doubled during Austin’s time at MSU, growing from 44 students to 97, and the organization continues to expand while maintaining a close-knit culture.
“We hope this club continues to grow through generations of Spartans and create a network of women all across the industry,” Austin said. “Even as we grow, we still want to create a tightknit community where members can support and learn from each other.”
Joining AWSM is open to all students, regardless of experience or career goals. Interested students can connect with the club by direct messaging @MSU_AWSM on Instagram or emailing awsm.michiganstate1855@gmail.com.
By Claire Dippel