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How Wrigley Field Contributed to the Growth of Women’s Sports

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Kentucky volleyball made history at Wrigley Field as the sport showcased the growing popularity, attendance and economic potential of women’s sports.
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On September 6, the Allstate Big Ten/ SEC Volleyball Challenge week began. With 34 programs and a total attendance of 43,067 fans, second only to Jackie Robinson’s 1947 appearance at Wrigley Field, the volleyball world exploded.

This was not just because the host facility is Wrigley Field; elite-level women’s volleyball has shown it can sell.

ESPN’s domestic and international media rights for the women’s volleyball NCAA tournament validated the commercial power of women’s sports.

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Not to mention Nebraska’s 93,003 fans attending Memorial Stadium against Omaha in 2023, giving women’s volleyball a lot of attention.

But Wrigley’s impact goes far beyond competitive play; the tournament’s success creates opportunities for women athletes to secure deals.

The event demonstrated the commercial opportunities and fan engagement that could motivate sponsors and broadcasters to invest in women athletes.

Continuing to invent huge events like this for women’s sports could also affect the way colleges compensate their athletes; women’s sports have the opportunity to bring in revenue when participating in sponsored events like these, meaning they should receive earnings.

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However, volleyball is not the only women’s sport growing exponentially. Women’s basketball has been on the rise for the past couple of years, with better showcasing of the WNBA.

This means that as several women’s sports gain massive influence and attendance, we might see more investment in women’s sports in the future, or even a different pool for shared revenue.

Due to high humidity and condensation, the tournament was delayed because it was too dangerous to play; however, fans still got to see the players dancing and singing together, even interacting with the huge audience.

The weather challenges drew significant backlash. However, seeing athletes’ authenticity and an experience they will never forget shows the community in women’s sports.

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But how does this relate to Kentucky? Kentucky has incredibly strong women athletes, and events like these add real value.

Women’s sports have grown so much in talent and entertainment that Wrigley brought them in. Kentucky women’s sports may get more recognition, helping them generate revenue for the program.

The Wildcats also made history in women’s volleyball by winning the first volleyball match ever played at Wrigley Field.

Kentucky volleyball’s economic growth can come from the success and number of people who genuinely wanted to watch them play, and how successful a potential partnership could be on both sides.

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Craig Skinner’s team made history for Kentucky, and might have just kickstarted a huge change in women’s athletics.

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Kentucky Men’s Golf Ties For 9th at Windon Memorial Classic With Season-Best Team Total

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Photo via UK Athletics

Kentucky Men’s Golf traveled to Lake Forest, IL to face off in the Windon Memorial Classic in a two-day tournament, taking place on both Monday, Sept. 28 and Tuesday, Sept. 29.

The tournament was hosted by Northwestern at Onwentsia Club, where the Wildcats tied for 9th with the University of South Florida among 16 schools following the final round.

Kentucky ended with a team score of eight-over par.

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On Monday, the Wildcats finished in 12th place at 14-over par to wrap up day one. Junior Jacob Lang finished in 12th place individually with a score of one-under par, shooting 72 in the first round and 67 in the second.

“This was a big week for Lang,” head coach Gator Todd said. “He’s been off his standard the first two events, but he looked in complete control this week. He was one hole and a few putts dropping from winning this tournament.”

In round one, Kentucky scored 289 and improved later in the day, with a 285 in the second round.

For day two, Kentucky came back and posted a season-best team total of six-under par. This improvement allowed the Wildcats to jump three spots on the leaderboard after day one. All four counting scores for Kentucky were at par or better for the first time this season.

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“I’m really proud of the way we stepped up and finished today,” Todd said. “We haven’t been playing our best golf this fall and we challenged guys to find a way and they did. I thought today was the best round we’ve played so far this fall.”

Kentucky will host their first home event next week at the Lexington Country Club for the Cullan Brown Collegiate Tournament. It will take place all day on both Monday, Oct. 5 and Tuesday, Oct. 6.

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Asia Thigpen Shares How Kentucky Can Maintain Intensity Continuing Conference Play

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Photo via Grace Smith | UK Athletics

On Sunday, Sept. 27, No. 3 Kentucky Volleyball swept the No. 7 Texas Longhorns at Historic Memorial Coliseum, moving the Wildcats to 2-0 in conference play.

Following the victory, junior outside hitter Asia Thigpen spoke on the team’s ability to maintain their intensity during high-pressure plays.

“As a player, I really burn myself on my intensity in every way that I can impact my teammates,” said Thigpen. She finished the match with 15 kills, two of which taking place in the last two points of the third set, securing the final score of 25-22 and earning the sweep.

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Thigpen’s communication and passion throughout the game built up her teammates, giving Kentucky momentum whether she’s attacking or not.

The outside hitter also talked about always preparing for the next win and treating all games equally matters the most.

“I feel like for us just really treating every team the same.” said Thigpen when asked on carrying on the momentum. “Just playing to our Kentucky Volleyball standard.”

The Wildcats expectation to play at their elite level, whether the game is unranked or not, displays how much intensity Kentucky has built over the course of the season.

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Additionally, the junior added that head coach Craig Skinner encourages the team to bring that intensity and confidence to every single match. Skinner instilling confidence and energy into this team over and over allows them to make aggressive plays and swing hard.

The Wildcats play next on the road at Auburn later this week, meeting on Friday, Oct. 2, for Kentucky’s third conference matchup. Start time is scheduled for 7:00pm ET.

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No. 3 Kentucky Volleyball Sweeps the No. 7 Texas Longhorns, Moves to 2-0 in SEC

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Photo via Camryn Williams | UK Athletics

On Sunday, Sept. 27, No. 3 Kentucky Volleyball swept No. 7 Texas, moving to 9-2 on the season and 2-0 in conference play. Kentucky started its SEC matchups strong, securing a win on the road over Vanderbilt and now bringing out the brooms for the Longhorns.

Senior outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye and junior outside hitter Asia Thigpen led the team to victory, combining for a total of 26 kills.

In the opening set, the Wildcats started slow, allowing Texas to go on a 4-0 scoring run.

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With the Longhorns leading 21-20, Kentucky responded after Craig Skinner’s second timeout with four consecutive kills by DeLeye and Thigpen. As the set progressed, Kentucky faced a point-by-point climb, tied or down by one point at seemingly every moment that went by.

The Wildcats asserted pressure through the set and took the lead on another kill by Thigpen, making the score 24-23. Thigpen would tally another kill to win the set 25-23.

Skinner and his team had the ability to shift the tone and build intensity on high-pressure plays, helping them secure the first set.

In the second set, Kentucky dominated with a final score of 25-20, thanks to 16 kills and 10 digs, increasing their hitting percentage from .250 to .324 overall.

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Seeking the sweep, the Wildcats faced another uphill battle in the third set.

After another timeout, sophomore outside hitter Georgia Watson secured Kentucky an immediate side-out with a kill. This wasn’t Watson’s only significant play – she had nine kills throughout the match, two of them giving Kentucky a lead in the third set.

To end the third and final installment, a kill by Thigpen finished off the Longhorns and gave Kentucky the win. This match wasn’t just any sweep, because for years, Texas Volleyball held a significant historical advantage.

Kentucky Volleyball has started to change the conversation.

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The teams played regularly in the 1980’s and 1990’s, with Texas holding the all-time series advantage at 15-6, but the Wildcats have won the last two meetings.

These two SEC teams have transformed the climate of women’s volleyball by having a rivalry of excellence, one that will continue for years to come.

During the game as well, Kentucky recognized AVCA Third-Team All-American alumnae Leah Edmond. She finished her career as the school’s all-time rally-scoring kills leader with 1,978 kills and earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors in her time.

Looking to continue the win streak and remain undefeated in the conference, the Wildcats will play at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday Oct. 2, heading on the road to face the Auburn Tigers.

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Can Kentucky’s excellence against top-10 opponents give them the advantage?

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