Women Belong by Taryn

Women Belong by Taryn - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

My intellectual curiosity has been profoundly shaped by an intense and growing obsession with ice hockey. The high speeds, danger, and strategic depth of ice hockey have been a continuous source of fascination for me, but it is more than just a sport. Ice hockey has sparked my passion for storytelling, my interest in the social impact of sports, and, perhaps most importantly, my commitment to advocating for women’s rights in the sports industry. This obsession has propelled my academic pursuits and directed my goals toward a career in sports.
From the second I saw my first ice hockey game, I was addicted. The energy in the rink, the ferocity of the players, and the sheer athleticism on display left an indelible mark on me. While many of my peers gravitated toward more traditional sports like football or basketball, I found myself drawn to the fast-paced and often gritty nature of ice hockey. What began as a simple admiration for the game soon blossomed into a deep intellectual curiosity. I wanted to understand the history of the sport, the intricacies of its strategies, the evolution of its rules, and, importantly, the personal stories of its players. I was intrigued by how the sport served as a microcosm of larger societal issues: gender, class, race, and identity.
As my obsession deepened, I found myself spending hours researching the history of ice hockey, reading about legendary players, iconic games, and the cultural significance of the sport in different countries. The more I learned, the more I realized that ice hockey was not just a game—it was a platform for cultural expression, social dynamics, and historical change. I began to recognize how the sport’s evolution paralleled broader societal shifts, particularly in terms of gender equality.
One of the most significant aspects of ice hockey that sparked my intellectual curiosity was the gender disparity within the sport. Despite being one of the most physically demanding and skill-based sports, women’s ice hockey has been historically marginalized. The disparity in media coverage, sponsorship, and general recognition between men’s and women’s ice hockey has fueled my passion for advocating for women’s rights in sports. The challenges faced by female athletes in a male-dominated environment are undeniable, and I began to see the struggle for equal recognition and respect in women’s ice hockey as a microcosm of the larger fight for gender equality.
This realization directly influenced my academic pursuits. As a student, I found myself increasingly drawn to courses that explored media, gender studies, and sports management, all of which provided me with a more critical lens through which to analyze ice hockey and the role of sports in society. I also sought opportunities to immerse myself in writing and journalism, which allowed me to merge my love for the game with my passion for storytelling. I began writing for school publications, covering local games, interviewing players, and using my platform to highlight the struggles of female athletes in ice hockey. Writing about women’s ice hockey was not just an academic exercise for me; it was a way to amplify voices that had long been overlooked and to push for the changes I wanted to see in the sport.
My growing awareness of the gender inequalities in sports—particularly in ice hockey—has become one of the central tenets of my academic and professional journey. I want to use my platform as a sports journalist to advocate for women’s rights and help level the playing field for female athletes. While women’s ice hockey has made tremendous strides in recent years, it still faces many barriers. The underrepresentation of women in media coverage, the lack of investment in women’s leagues, and the persistent struggle for equal pay are issues that demand attention. My obsession with ice hockey has instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility to use my voice to address these inequities.
As I look toward my future in sports journalism, my goal is to bring attention to these issues while providing thoughtful and well-researched coverage of ice hockey in general. I want to give a platform to the stories that are often ignored or minimized, particularly those of female players who have had to fight for recognition in a sport that is dominated by men. I also want to advocate for a more inclusive representation of athletes of all backgrounds, including women, racial minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. In doing so, I hope to contribute to a broader cultural shift that values equity and inclusivity in sports.
At the core of my passion for ice hockey and sports journalism is the belief that storytelling has the power to change narratives and shift societal perceptions. As a journalist, I am not just interested in reporting scores and highlights; I am driven by the desire to tell stories that matter—stories that bring awareness to important issues, challenge norms, and inspire change. My obsession with ice hockey has helped me develop a keen sense of the stories that go untold, and it has given me the determination to amplify those voices.
In conclusion, my extreme obsession with ice hockey has shaped my intellectual curiosity and has led me down a path toward a career in sports journalism. It has deepened my understanding of the sport, opened my eyes to the gender disparities that persist within it, and inspired me to advocate for women’s rights both in the world of sports and beyond. As I continue my academic and professional journey, I am committed to using my platform as a journalist to bring about meaningful change and to elevate the voices of those who have been marginalized. My ultimate goal is not only to cover the sport I love but to be an advocate for the athletes who are working tirelessly to make it better for future generations. Through my passion for ice hockey and my dedication to gender equality, I hope to contribute to a world where everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to excel and be recognized in the sport they love.