While Coastal Carolina University’s female sports are excelling in their fields this spring, they still face unnecessary barriers to success.
Some female athletes fight competitive and gender pressures constantly, while facing financial disparities in athletic funding.
According to the U.S. Department of Education (ED), the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act requires post-secondary educational institutions to report annual expenses of men’s and women’s teams. In the most recent report from 2022-2023, Coastal Carolina reported athletic related student aid given to women’s teams amounted to $3.7 million whereas men’s teams received $5.7 million annually.
Sydney McClure, an attacker for women’s lacrosse and graduate student studying recreation and sport management, is one of the many female athletes who have recognized this disparity for players and coaches alike.
“We have to work harder to prove ourselves and worth for the university. We know we have to be a step ahead of male sports if we want them to put value on us,” McClure said.
According to the ED, Coastal Carolina head coaches of women’s sports made a total of $916,000 annually, while head coaches of male teams made a total of $2.41 million annually. Not only are women’s sports and coaches at a financial disadvantage, but there is a discrepancy in available resources.
Game-day operations costs vary among different sports. However, women’s teams received $1.5 million, and men’s teams received $4 million, as stated by the ED. This funding can provide media coverage or other resources to promote teams and games.
“Obviously we can’t ignore [the disadvantage] because it’s always there. It’s things like basic coverage and different resources that men have,” junior exercise and sport science major Delaney Keith said, a third baseman for softball.
Female athletes notice a difference in equipment and training facilities as well. The total expenses for women’s teams, as reported by the ED, were $8.9 million while men’s teams’ expenses were $23.2 million.
Athletes like Ava Novello, a sophomore business management major and defender for the beach volleyball team, recognize the lack of funding given to their programs.
“We’re not going to get the extra gear or a new facility just by doing OK. We have to win the conference,” Novello said.
Some female athletes believe their performances must be extraordinary to receive any recognition. With more recognition comes additional funding.
“[Men’s teams] have more weather-conditioned facilities and their own weight rooms. I think the toughest part that me and my teammates have to deal with is giving our gear back at the end of every year, except for shirts,” Keith said.
Female athletes must take a strategic approach to visibility and promotion of their programs. Novello noted not only do women have to be good athletes, but also mentally resistant to any challenges they face.
Keith and Novello noted that CCU athletes are expected to balance the same workload as any typical student, while also going above and beyond with practices and games. The pressure can be overwhelming and physically draining.
“You’re going to fail at times, so dwelling on that one failure can impact the rest of your season or career,” Keith said.
McClure shared that athletes strive to meet rigorous demands, often feeling the pressure of failure while juggling the intense responsibilities of both student and athlete life.
“We set a standard every year, so the thought of not meeting that standard and falling short is hard. We want to keep going up, not plateau and go down,” McClure said.
Despite pressures, CCU female athletes rise above these challenges and continue to prove their worth in their fields. Softball demonstrated their ability to adjust, comeback and stun opposing teams, with a 24-6 record for the spring season. A team full of power hitters and tight defense electrifies the diamond at St. John Stadium.
“I think our ability to work together has contributed to our success. Regardless of who’s in the field and who’s not, we all cheer for each other and celebrate each other’s successes,” Keith said.
When asked about the future of the team this season, Keith seemed hopeful and confident in her teammates.
Women’s lacrosse is making measurable progress this season by refining skills and increasing each player’s accountability. Using their “next man up” mentality, lacrosse intends to rely less on traditional starter players for wins.
This mentality empowers all players on the roster to step up when needed to create an environment where success is founded on collective effort.
“We want to get as many people as we can on the field. We have people who want to step up,” McClure said.
Beach volleyball is committed to building teamwork amid a new roster, while winning all games on the home front.
Novello expressed confidence in her teammates to improve and become more team oriented. She said beach volleyball will not use wins and losses to measure success, but a highly participative team.
“The biggest thing right now for us is being good teammates and trusting each other. There’s always someone on our side cheering us on,” Novello said.
