Five female sport business students at Jacksonville University’s Davis College of Business and Technology recognized the need for a dedicated space where women interested in sport business could connect, learn and support one another. This led to the creation of the inaugural Women in Sport Business Club.
President Layla Green, Vice President Natalie Lewis, Secretary Adriana Fulco, Treasurer Rori Bywater and Event Planner Mikaya Stephens serve on the club’s executive board.
“We’re laying the foundation for something that we hope will continue to grow and impact future students,” said Bywater, a senior sport business and accounting major. “Being part of the first executive board means setting the tone, establishing traditions and ensuring that this club provides meaningful opportunities for its members.”
The club’s mission is to create a community that fosters leadership, creativity and career progression through professional development, networking opportunities, mentorship and industry insights. Fulco, a senior sport business major who is also pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree, believes supporting each other is crucial for women in sports. “It’s powerful to have a group of women who understand your challenges and want to see you succeed. It can be intimidating to enter a male-dominated field, but knowing you have a supportive community can make all the difference.”
Membership and activities for the Women in Sport Business Club are open to all students. The club’s leaders recognize that sports business is a male-dominated field, but they believe women are making strides. “Women are dominating the field by being trailblazers,” stated Stephens, a senior sport business major.
The club’s sponsor and sport business professor, Dr. Leah Fiorentino, has been instrumental in its formation. Fulco shared, “From the beginning, Dr. Fiorentino has been one of our biggest advocates, offering advice, guidance and encouragement whenever we’ve needed it.” Green, the founding president, added, “She has pushed us to continue to grow and form this club by providing advice, ideas, tools and resources to help us succeed.”
Fiorentino views the club as a student-driven initiative. “Over the past three semesters, I’ve noticed a significant increase in women declaring sport business as a major or minor. These women are strong leaders and have successfully navigated the campus system to establish the club,” she said.
The executive board has gained valuable insights from Fiorentino’s classes. Fulco emphasized the importance of adaptability and always seeking opportunities to learn, while Bywater highlighted Fiorentino’s teachings on strategic thinking, leadership and resilience as essential for success in sports.
The executive board is excited to build a strong community of women passionate about sports business at Jacksonville University. “Our goal is to provide valuable experiences — guest speakers, networking events, internships and mentorship opportunities — that will help our members succeed,” said Bywater. “We encourage anyone interested to get involved and be part of this movement!”
