The role of women in the business world is growing, and there are more opportunities now than in the past. However, women should not take that for granted, according to Judy Sweet, former NCAA vice president for Championships and Education Services.
She used examples from her life to show students how it is important for this generation to utilize the advances made in behalf of women in the business world.
Sweet's speech, "From Tomboy to NCAA Executive," was held through the Miller College of Business, and was the first lecture in the college's Distinguished Speaker Series.
Sweet accepted the NCAA vice president position in January 2001, after serving as director of Athletics at the University of California, San Diego, from 1975 to 1999. Sweet is one of the first women in the nation selected to direct a combined men's and women's intercollegiate athletics program.
"Judy is someone who has vast experience in what is a nontraditional field for women," Tammy Estep, the director of external relations of the Miller College of Business, said. "She is considered a ground-breaker for opportunities for women."
Things have not always been equal for men and women, Sweet said. The creation of Title 9 in 1972 was the turning point for equality in education and athletics, she said. In the 25 years NCAA has sponsored championships for women, the number of female athletes in collegiate sports has grown from 30,000 to 160,000, Sweet said.
"Males and females should have the same opportunities, not just in athletics. People should not be put in boxes based on gender," Sweet said.
Sweet said she never had the chance to wear a high school or college uniform, but now it is common and considered a positive thing for women to be involved in athletics.
"The lessons that you learn in sports will carry you through in any situation," said Sweet.
Some business professors require students to attend Distinguished Speaker Series lectures. Junior Elizabeth Sefcik said she was impressed with Sweet's accomplishments and how she encouraged the audience to take risks and to have the confidence to make things work.
"It is incredible to think how far women have come in collegiate sports," Sefcik said. "Judy is a remarkable woman and a wonderful addition to the promotion of women in the business world."
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