As part of Women’s History Month, the Islanders continue to show their support of celebrating game changers and leaders in the sports industry as they held their annual “Women in Sports Night” last Tuesday before the Islanders’ 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
The event was hosted by MSG Network’s Islanders Host Shannon Hogan and was attended by hundreds of young women who aspire to have a career in sports.
“It’s always fun,” said Hogan. “Honestly, it’s important. I’m really honored that they ask me to do it.”
This year’s panelists included some very important women from the sports industry including Van Adams, the Principal & Founder of VanAdams Sports Group.
She continues to marvel at the progress of women in sports.
“It’s really important for people to see the possibilities of progress,” said Adams. “Ten or twenty years ago, we didn’t have quite as m any women in sports but now there is a vast array of women doing a lot of amazing things at all levels.”
Other panelists last Tuesday included…
Violeta Ardejan-Vice-President, Marketing and Branding at Global Industrial.
Peg Butler-Vice-President, Marketing and External Relations at Northwell Health and Lenox Hill Hospital.
Anastasia Pagonis-Paralympian.
Linda Pen-Senior Vice-President, New Media Content Partnerships at NBA.
Deb Patsky-Vice-President, Global Sales Effectiveness at Xerox.
Attendees who purchased a special ticket for the game gained access to the event and were treated to an Islanders notebook courtesy of Northwell. They also had the opportunity to mingle with the panelists after the presentation.
Not only is it annually a special night for those in the crowd, but also for those on the panel.
“I have formed so many connections with past panelists, current panelists and the young women who come,” said Hogan. “I’ve been keeping in touch with them over the last year and following their careers. It’s just really important to me that the Islanders continue to invest in women and invest in the future of women in sports.”
It doesn’t seem that long ago when it would be surprising to see a woman in a key role withing the sports industry, but that has certainly changed over the years. Not only has there been a rise in popularity of viewing and attending women’s sporting events at the pro, college and high school level, but there has been significant growth in the number of women who work in sports, especially at high levels.
Many who were doubters aren’t doubting anymore.
“They’re warming up to it now.,” said Adams. “When I launched my business twenty years ago, there weren’t very many women at the decision-making level. They were moving in that direction but now there’s an abundance of them.”
The Islanders’ “Women in Sports” event continues to grow every year. There are more and more young women who come to events like what the Islanders put on last week and have the chance to hear and learn from some of most influential women in the industry today.