The recently founded Women’s Sideline Society at Quinnipiac University has taken over the former chapter of the Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM).
The now AWSM is a student organization on campus that strives to support and advocate for women with a strong interest in the sports industry across business, marketing, media, management, advertising, finance and more.
While the AWSM formerly had a home at Quinnipiac, the organization disbanded due to no longer having an advisor and enough e-board members to sustain the club. However with its recent takeover, the AWSM is back and better than ever.
“I hope that they can create a space for people at Quinnipiac to talk about their experiences and create support for one another,” said Brianna Trachtenburg, 3+1 graduate sports journalism student. “When I started, there were only three of us from my class that actively did student media for sports. Now it has grown significantly, and it’s because of the support we received from everyone around us that made us want to stay and do the same for the underclassmen.”
Sophomore 3+1 advertising major and founder of the organization, Maria Keegan shared some of the changes she and her team at the AWSM are hoping to enact with the takeover.
“I think in terms of change, I think I really want to emphasize community building,” Keegan said. “I really want to make it like it’s been, almost like a project in a way, where it’s not so much just with a club. It’s more of a community and like an organization.”
The national organization founded in 1987, is a non-profit that supports, advocates for and promotes the advancement of women in sports media roles including but not limited to journalists, broadcasters, and producers.
“It allows people to make connections with other people working in sports. It also gives support to everyone and allows students to share their experiences,” Trachtenburg said.
With its chapter making a comeback on campus, Keegan and the rest of the AWSM e-board hope to provide the same for women at Quinnipiac.
“We have volunteering plans. We have leadership opportunities. We’re going to do a networking opportunity coming up with Tyler Brosious from the New York Islanders,” Keegan said. “So the transition has really been impactful to the organization in terms of opportunity… it’s great. And it goes back to, you know, supporting the girls the best we possibly can.”
According to the AWSM website, the organization works to promise and increase diversity in sports media through career-enhancement networking and mentoring initiatives similar to what Keegan and her team want to bring to Quinnipiac.
“I find so much joy in being and supporting, like the building grounds for a community that I feel so strongly passionate about,” Keegan said. “And although it is hectic and it is a big time commitment and a lot of work, I think it is so rewarding in every aspect.”
For more information or an interest in becoming a part of the Association for Women in Sports Media, their organization can be found on Bobcat Central, or on Instagram @awsm_quinnipiac.
