The time has come where new world records are being set and women’s athletics is getting the credit it deserves. Two world records have recently been set by college athletics for the highest crowd attendance in history.
Dating back to Title IX in 1972 the Federal Civil Rights Acts which fight for equality in women’s athletics and scholarships in educational institutes, this long process has finally received the recognition and equality it has deserved in comparison to men’s athletics. Not only has Waterford High School girls athletics set new records in their recent seasons through their fall records and championships, college athletics have continued to raise the bar. Over 2023, skyrocketing numbers of viewers came through with two new records set in the college athletics, by Iowa women’s basketball and Nebraska women’s volleyball for highest attendance in history. Influencing women across America and inspiring younger girls to continue to work hard to accomplish their dreams to have the hope of making it to similar settings themselves.
Nebraska Volleyball is one of the most popular college volleyball teams in the nation. They have had a show-stopping season, finishing off the regular season undefeated up until now. Even through incredible matchups that were tough battles, Nebraska took down #2 in the nation, also undefeated, Wisconsin. After 5 sets Nebraska swept through with the win. Unfortunately the hustle and determination Wisconsin had through their rematch Wisconsin took back the win in only 3 sets. While their stellar streak is something to applaud, their record breaking game vs. Omaha is something to go down in history. August 30th women’s college volleyball surpassed all records for the largest crowd in history of women’s athletics, with a total of 92,003 fans. This game included a fly over and a day full of celebrations. Taking place on the Nebraska Cornhuskers football field, the stadium was filled to the brim.
Following Nebraska’s amazing attendance, the University of Iowa women’s basketball team broke yet another record for crowd attendance. During an exhibition game on October 25th vs. Depaul, Iowa’s basketball team set the record for the largest audience in women’s basketball with a total of 55,646.
These games have inspired women across the country. Photos were published of young girls left in tears, in awe as some of their favorite players compete at this amazing venue. Nebraska’s day of celebrations left their court packed tight with fans and community members; many left inspirational and well wishes stringed across their very own volleyball net.
Women’s soccer and again basketball have had increasing amounts of viewership. Last basketball season the women’s 2023 college basketball finals had a total viewership of about 10 million viewers. As well as the women’s world cup gained almost 15% more viewership than previous years.
Waterford High School has had new season records broken by the girls volleyball team. This season with the youngest roster they have had so far, WHS volleyball has been able to complete the best record in WHS history with a record of only 17-3 in the regular season and 20-5 including post season tournament games.Athletics at the school have been impressive over the past few years with girls volleyball and softball winning the ECC Championship. Some names to honor for the Class of 2024 who will be stepping foot into the high division 1 and ll settings are athletes, Emilia Podeszwa, who will be attending D1 Binghamton University, Amarys Jiminez, who will be attending D1 University of Rhode Island, Gracie Muti, who will be attending D1 St.Peter’s College, and Melanie Martin, who will be attending Dll Bridgeport University. This is one of the larger groups Waterford High School has seen regarding women’s athletics in the division 1 and 11 setting.
An issue that hasn’t changed throughout many seasons is the attendance record at women’s athletics. Waterford High School has had stellar seasons through girls volleyball and softball. Throughout the years both teams have won multiple ECC Championships. While the volleyball team this year had an amazing season with the best record in history. Attendance at games has not increased in any way at all. Last season where the girls won the ECC Championship, the girls had a total of 1284 fans year round at home games. Barely a difference of fans attended this year’s season with only 1280 fans at home games. Women’s athletics are working hard to get their recognition and equality to men’s athletics. Waterford High Schools athletics have improved tremendously over the years. It is now time to find the fans and gain the recognition and use the energy from college athletics to get women’s athletics the hype it deserves.
Students at Waterford High School are very proud to see the rise in athletics and all that comes along with it. Senior Aly Lewis says, “I think Nebraska’s big volleyball game set off the run, giving people an appreciation for sports. Also last year’s women’s college basketball games between teams like LSU, Iowa, and Uconn. It brought a whole new hype to women’s sports”. It is so important that women continue to support one another in their goals and achievements as it has been shown on all levels they can accomplish so many things and break world records. College and high school athletics have big goals for this upcoming winter and spring season looking to break more records and set new highs.
