(COLUMBUS, OH June 22, 2022) – The Greater Columbus Sports Commission will feature some of the most important female voices in local sports in a brand-new podcast launching June 22.
As part of a yearlong celebration of Title IX and its impact on sports and society in Central Ohio and the nation, the Sports Commission recently created Starting IX-Up, a nine-episode season to highlight women’s sports stories with Columbus connections.
“Women have played a vital role in helping Columbus earn global recognition as a sports market,” said Linda Logan, CEO of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. “Starting IX-Up will give listeners behind the scenes stories from these pioneers on their incredible journeys.”
Longtime Columbus sports host Matt McCoy of iHeart Media will host the show. Logan said the interviews reveal personal challenges and showcase how sports offered a path to success.
“Each episode goes deeper than the surface and puts you in the perspective of people making history in girls and women’s sports,” Logan said. “We also delve into former teams like the Columbus Quest and the Pacesetters to see how they broke ground and unknowingly set the stage for events like the NCAA Women’s Final Four.”
The first episode of Starting IX-Up will be available on all major podcast providers June 22:
- Ep 1 // June 22 – Women in Sports Media
- Guests: Lori Schmidt, Whitney Harding and Marla Ridenour (reporters)
- Ep 2 // June 29 – Wrestling for Equality
- Guests: Doug Ute (OHSAA president) Vanessa Oswalt and Brian Nicola (coaches), Emily McManus and Talia Mitchell (wrestlers)
- Ep 3 // July 6 – Columbus Quest for Glory
- Guests: Katie Smith, Valerie Still and Andrea Lloyd-Curry (former players) and Brian Agler (former coach)
- Ep 4 // July 13 – From Student-Athlete to University President
- Guests: Kristina Johnson (Ohio State president)
- Ep 5 // July 20 – Women’s Tackle Football in Ohio
- Guests: Callie Brownson (Browns coach), Linda Stamps and Mary Morrison (former players)
- Ep 6 // July 27 – Coaching Champions at Ohio State
- Guests: Nadine Muzzerall and Karen Dennis (Ohio State coaches)
- Ep 7 // August 3 – The Birth of Volleyball Hotbed (Volleyball starting in August)
- Guests: Jen Flynn Oldenburg (Ohio State coach) and Audrey Flaugh (coach, BTN reporter)
- Ep 8 // August 10 – On the Leadership Track
- Guest: Stephanie Hightower (Columbus Urban League president)
- Ep 9 // August 17 – Capital City Dynasty
- Guests: Dixie Jeffers (former coach) and Mackenzie Thompson (former player)
In addition to the podcast, the Columbus Sports Commission collaborated with the Columbus Metropolitan Library to create Title IX summer reading lists for all ages. The books feature stories about girls and women’s sports, with female athletes and coaches authoring many of the pieces.
The Sports Commission also wants Columbus residents to share their personal stories about the impact of girls and women in sports with the hashtag #TitleIXColumbus on social media.
Further details on podcast, reading list, and social sharing project are at www.columbussports.org/titleix.
“Title IX allowed hundreds of thousands of girls and women a chance to experience the power of sports that would have otherwise been impossible,” Logan said. “It’s one of the most important pieces of legislation in the last half century.”
About The Greater Columbus Sports Commission:
The Greater Columbus Sports Commission’s mission is to rally Columbus to compete and win sporting events, providing a singular athlete and fan experience and positively impacting image, economy and lifestyle. Since 2002, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission has brought 575 new sporting events to Columbus, generating an estimated $625 million in direct visitor spending.
