Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and First Lady Shannon Ginther in partnership with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission today announced the official name of the citywide initiative to make Columbus the nation’s capital for women’s sports. During a breakfast at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field attended by approximately 150 community leaders, Mayor Ginther unveiled the IgniteHER Columbus logo and updated the community on progress made during the past year. The remarks were followed by a panel discussion about the importance of women’s sports.
Through the initiative, which Mayor Ginther first announced during his 2025 State of the City address, the City of Columbus will partner with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission to keep young girls and women in sports longer; empower the next generation of women in sports, business and civic leadership; grow women’s sports fandom, teams and events; drive investment and innovation in sports-related businesses.
“When women and girls have the opportunity to shine both on the field and as leaders of sports franchises, businesses, nonprofits and government, everyone in our community benefits,” said Mayor Ginther. “IgniteHER is about lighting up our enthusiasm, our support and our investment in women’s athletics so we may cultivate a more equitable and prosperous future for our city.”
Columbus has a long legacy of supporting and celebrating women’s sports. From local athletes who have gone professional to national champions who call Columbus home, Ohio’s capital city is where women break barriers, build legacies and inspire what’s next. Since the Greater Columbus Sports Commission was founded in 2002, women’s sports have been a key focus. Hosted events range from the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2018 NCAA Women’s Final Four to hundreds of OHSAA girls state championships across 10 sports and more than 15 NCAA Women’s Championships. Columbus is currently gearing up to host the 2027 NCAA Women’s Final Four and 2027 DI Women’s Volleyball Championship.
“Women’s sports are on the rise, but supporting female athletes is nothing new for us in Columbus,” said Logan. “For more than two decades we have championed the power of girls and women in sports through the major events we host to the local programs like our Community Youth Camp. I am so grateful for Mayor Ginther and First Lady Shannon Ginther’s passion and leadership and the vision for our entire community to rally around IgniteHER Columbus. We look forward to the programs and results that will come from this unified vision.”
Some of the key components of the initiative that were announced include the return of the Women’s Sports Report, an annual event hosted by the Greater Columbus Sports Commission; support of youth sports; IgniteHER Next, a consortium of formal collegiate female athletes who call central Ohio home; hosting a Women’s Sports Symposium; the creation of a local Women in Sports and Events (WISE) chapter; supporting research grants; a youth ticketing program and more.
Cassie Sistrunk, former Big Ten Champion and captain of Ohio State soccer and Sr. Director of Soccer Growth Strategy for the U.S. Soccer Federation, moderated the panel discussion. Panelists included First Lady and Women’s Commission Chair Shannon Ginther; Mary Shepro, President of Business Operations of the Columbus Crew; and Dan Helfrich, Chief Operating Officer for the U.S. Soccer Federation.
To learn more about IgniteHER Columbus and get involved, visit ignitehercolumbus.com.