More Than a Game: A Girl Dad’s Hope for His Daughters and Women’s Sports

By a Girl Dad who wants his daughters to have every opportunity he had in sports—and more.

I grew up on fields and courts. Sports weren’t optional for me or my friends. They were a way of life, and everyone encouraged it. Coaches, teachers, and even family members pushed us toward athletics because they knew what sports could do for a young man: build discipline, develop leadership, foster teamwork, and open doors. Whether it was scholarships, job opportunities, or simply the confidence that came from competing, we knew sports gave us an edge.

I’m the proud father of four daughters. Four smart, strong-willed, funny, and fearless girls. But they weren’t always fearless. And if I’m being honest, they weren’t always athletes. It took a little pushing—sometimes a lot—to get them onto the field in the first place.

When my girls were little, even in our own family, there were voices saying, “Sports aren’t really necessary for girls,” or “Why would they need to play?” It was subtle sometimes. Sometimes not.

As if strength, ambition, and competition were somehow optional—or worse, unfeminine.

I had to push.

Why I Pushed Them Into Sports (And Why I’ll Keep Pushing)

I had to push. Not because they weren’t capable. Not because they weren’t interested. But because, without encouragement, they might have missed out on everything sports have to offer.

And the truth is, sports offer a lot.

Athletics teach resilience. They teach you how to lose with grace and win with humility. They teach you how to work as a team and push yourself beyond your limits. And for girls—who are too often told to shrink themselves or play it safe—sports teach them to take up space. To be loud. To be fierce. To lead.

I pushed my daughters into sports because I wanted them to have all of that. And I wanted them to have access to the same opportunities that sports opened up for me and my friends growing up. Opportunities like college scholarships that can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Opportunities to see the world, to be mentored by great coaches, and to build a network that can help them long after they hang up their cleats.

The Role of Title IX in Making That Possible

None of this would have been an option without Title IX.

When Title IX was signed into law in 1972, it banned discrimination based on sex in education programs receiving federal funding. While the law didn’t mention sports specifically, its impact on athletics was immediate. Schools and colleges were suddenly required to offer equal opportunities to female athletes.

Before Title IX, girls made up just 7% of all high school athletes in the U.S. There were practically zero athletic scholarships for women in college sports. Today, those numbers have changed dramatically. Over 3.4 million girls participate in high school sports, and there are thousands of athletic scholarships available to women who want to compete at the collegiate level.

The Culture Is Changing—But Slowly

We’re seeing a shift in women’s sports today. Young girls are growing up watching athletes like Caitlin Clark, Megan Rapinoe, and Serena Williams. They’re seeing women’s NCAA basketball games outdraw NBA games. They’re seeing their women's high school and college teams get new uniforms, better fields, and more fans in the stands.

There’s momentum. But progress is not a straight line.

There’s always the risk of slipping backward—of letting apathy or politics stall or reverse hard-won gains. I’m not saying we haven’t come far. We have. My daughters have more opportunities than women did when I was a kid. But that doesn’t mean we stop pushing.

Title IX was the beginning. It cracked open the door. But we are the ones who keep it from swinging shut.

The Benefits Go Beyond the Field

I’ve seen what sports have done for my girls already. They are stronger, more confident, and more willing to lead. They’ve learned how to advocate for themselves, how to support teammates, and how to push through challenges.

These are lessons they’ll carry into college, into their careers, and into life. And they’re lessons that generations of young men have been taught through sports for decades. It’s about time we made sure our daughters are getting the same.

A Hopeful Future—But We’re Not Done Yet

I’m hopeful for the future of women’s sports. Every day, I see more girls stepping onto fields, into gyms, and onto courts. I see more women coaching, officiating, and leading athletic programs. And I see my daughters stepping into a world where their gender isn’t a barrier—it’s just one part of who they are.

But hope isn’t enough. We have to keep showing up. We have to keep advocating. We have to keep pushing.

Because the work isn’t finished. The game isn’t over. And if my daughters have anything to say about it, we’re just getting started.