Why Womens College Sports Deserve More Attention

4 July 2025

When was the last time you watched a women's college basketball game? Or tuned into a volleyball match featuring powerhouse programs like Nebraska or Wisconsin? If your answer is “uhh…” or “never,” don’t feel bad—you’re not alone. But let’s be honest: it’s long past time we changed that. Women’s college sports are not just deserving of more attention—they’ve earned it in every way that counts.

From sweat-drenched practices to record-breaking performances, these athletes are doing incredible things on and off the field. So why aren't more people watching? Why don’t female athletes get the same love, airtime, or funding as their male counterparts?

Let’s dig into this together.

Women Are Crushing It—Literally

Record-Breaking Games, Packed Stadiums, Unmatched Grit

If you think women’s college sports are somehow less exciting or competitive, think again. Look at last year’s NCAA women's volleyball national title match—it drew over 18,000 fans live and more than a million viewers on TV. That’s not just good; that’s phenomenal.

Caitlin Clark lit up college basketball with her jaw-dropping three-pointers last season. She didn't just set records—she shattered them. Her performances brought in record-breaking TV ratings and jam-packed arenas. This isn’t a "one-off" either. These kinds of monumental moments are happening across sports like softball, lacrosse, track and field, and soccer almost every week.

These athletes bring the heat. They bring the passion. Every bit of it.

The Passion is Real

More Than Just a Game

For many of these players, their college sports experience is their one shot—no pro league, no million-dollar contracts. Just raw passion and love for the game.

When you watch a women’s college game, you’re seeing athletes who are all-in. They’re diving for loose balls, fighting for every point, and showing the kind of unity and sportsmanship that we all say we want in athletics.

They’re not playing for fame or paychecks—they’re playing to represent their schools, teammates, families, and themselves.

That’s the kind of heart that deserves a spotlight.

Media Coverage: Still Playing Catch-Up

Out of Sight, Out of Mind?

Let’s talk coverage. According to a study done not too long ago, women’s sports receive only around 4% of all sports media coverage. That’s it. Four percent. And when women’s college sports actually are covered, they’re often hidden in late-night time slots or buried at the bottom of a sports recap.

Imagine training your whole life, reaching the pinnacle of your sport in college, and then getting stuck behind a 5-minute highlight reel of a regular-season men’s game that barely mattered. It’s frustrating. It’s disheartening. And it’s just not fair.

The fix? More eyes on their games. More commitment from broadcasters. More coverage with the same energy, effort, and storytelling that goes into men’s sports.

Role Models for the Next Generation

If You Can See Her, You Can Be Her

Representation is massive—especially for young girls dreaming of making it big in sports. When they see athletes like Aliyah Boston dominating the post or Trinity Rodman tearing up the soccer field, they start believing that they can do it too.

Women’s college sports provide strong, relatable, and inspiring role models. These athletes prove that women can be strong, passionate, competitive, and successful—all while going to class, managing responsibilities, and leading on campus.

We can’t underestimate the power of those messages. They matter. A lot.

It’s Not Just a Women’s Issue

Everyone Benefits From More Exposure

When we talk about elevating women’s college sports, we’re not taking anything away from men’s sports. This isn’t a competition—there’s room for everyone at the table.

In fact, investing in women’s college athletics can help entire athletic departments and universities thrive. It builds school pride, drives merchandise sales, and opens up new revenue streams. Better yet? Studies show that fans who get into women’s sports quickly become just as loyal and passionate as any die-hard men’s team fan.

So why not embrace both?

The Growth is Already Happening

More Tickets, More TV, More Buzz

We’re starting to see change—and it's exciting. NCAA women’s basketball tournaments are drawing prime-time slots. Volleyball championships are being played in sold-out arenas. ESPN and other networks are investing more in coverage.

Social media is playing a major role too. Athletes with strong online presences are bringing attention to their teams, building personal brands, and connecting with fans in ways we've never seen before.

The numbers don’t lie—interest is growing. Now it’s just about catching the system up to the moment.

The Talent Pool is DEEP

Don’t Sleep on the Skill

Let’s be clear—these women are elite. They’ve trained for years to reach this level. Many of them are Olympic hopefuls, All-Americans, or future coaches. The average fan might not realize how technical, fast, and entertaining women’s sports can be—but once you watch, you’ll be hooked.

The precision of a tennis rally. The power of a softball pitch. The footwork in a soccer transition. The choreography of a gymnastic floor routine. It’s athletic magic.

You don’t need a dunk to be impressed. Excellence comes in many forms.

More Support Leads to More Success

Better Funding = Bigger Opportunities

When women’s programs get more funding, they can hire top-tier coaches, improve facilities, offer better scholarships, and travel more for games. All of this boosts performance—and yes, makes for more exciting games.

But it also boosts something bigger: fairness.

Title IX was passed over 50 years ago to help balance the scales in school athletics, but we’re still a long way off. Giving women’s college sports more attention isn’t just a nice gesture—it’s a step toward equity in a system that’s overdue for an upgrade.

What Can We Do?

Alright, so now that we’ve laid out the why, let’s hit the how.

Watch the Games

Tune in. Whether it’s on ESPN+, YouTube, or a university stream, your viewership counts.

Talk About It

Tweet about the games. Share highlights. Post on Instagram. Word of mouth—yes, even in 2024—is still one of the most powerful ways to build buzz.

Show Up in the Stands

If you live near a college, go to a game! Tickets are usually affordable (or free!), and the atmosphere is electric.

Support Women Athletes

Buy the merch. Follow them on social media. Engage with their content. Respect their grind.

Demand More Coverage

If your favorite sports channel isn't showing women’s games, speak up. Tweet at them. Email them. Let them know you care—and that you’re not alone.

Let’s Shift the Spotlight—Together

Women’s college sports are not just “good for girls” or “a nice cause.” They’re phenomenal in their own right, as competitive, emotional, and awe-inspiring as any men’s game out there.

They deserve the same energy. The same coverage. The same cheers.

It’s time we all joined the movement—because women's college sports aren't the future. They're already here. And they’re ready for prime time.