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Sports Up Podcast

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*****

“When I tell guys I’m a sports fan, they launch into a boring quiz of my knowledge of teams and scores. If they listened to Sports Up, they’d have much better questions.”

~ Meredith Syms, Host, SportsUp Podcast

SportsUp Podcast pulls back the curtain to show what it really takes for women to succeed in the sports industry, both on and off the field. Featuring interviews with groundbreaking leaders, SportsUp Podcast highlights the challenges and triumphs of women athletes, coaches, broadcasters, managers, and more.

Listen to insights, advice, and compelling stories on the role of women in the world of sports and what leaders are doing to increase female participation. Tune in now to find out how women leaders are fighting to level the playing field!

 
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About Your Host Meredith Syms

An Arizona native, Meredith Syms grew up enjoying the year round sunshine and the many sporting events that go along with it. From the age of three, Meredith knew the thrill of athletic competition on both the soccer and t-ball fields and her passion for sports has continued to grow as both a competitor and fan. She is currently a Senior at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT, and the Sports Editor of The Choate News.  

Meredith’s biggest personal and professional goal is to be one of the top female leaders in sports journalism and broadcasting.  A passionate storyteller, Meredith started Sports Up to increase awareness of the challenges and triumphs of women in the sports industry and to show how sports impacts human performance.  The New York Times recently selected Meredith’s episode “All is Not Lost – Mina Bakhshi’s Escape from Afghanistan with Ascend Athletics” as a top 10 Winner out of over 1600 entries for its Annual Student Podcast Contest.  Mina’s story is a moving example of how athletics positively impact human performance – especially for women and girls.

A talented writer, Meredith merged her two passions as her high school news Sports Editor.  In addition to reporting team results, she published a sports feature on the challenges for student athletes and the “new normal” for Signing Day during COVID.She has also written articles about economic impacts of the pandemic on college sports and high school recruitment.

Meredith loves everything about the energy of the games as well as the sports industry as a whole – both on and off the field. On any weekend during football season, you will find her at a live game or watching at home – especially when her beloved Philadelphia Eagles or Arizona Cardinals are playing.  As a new member of the Boston College Class of 2027, Meredith looks forward to cheering on her new favorite Eagles! 

In addition to sports, Meredith constantly strives to better her community and volunteers for the Arizona Humane Society and Rotary Interact Club. She recently helped with a pet adoption event at Diamondbacks Stadium. Meredith was selected as a Rotary Ambassador to deliver medical supplies to underserved communities in Mexico.

During her free time Meredith loves to dance – an accomplished ballerina, she has performed for more than 13 years. She also likes to travel and she is a certified yoga and meditation instructor. Meredith enjoys spending time with her big brother Matthew and her little sister Marinna, and she especially loves playing with her standard poodle, Maizie.

Episodes

Why I Want To Be A Sports Broadcaster

How can a high school student make an impact in the sports broadcasting world? Which female sportscasters have pioneered their way in a male-dominated industry? And, perhaps most importantly, which team is better: the Eagles or the Patriots? Stay tuned for all this and more in the exciting first episode of the Sports Up Podcast, with host Meredith Syms!
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How Sports Bring People Together

On this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, aspiring sports broadcaster Meredith Syms talks with Dr. Jeremy Weisz about how sports bring people together. You’ll hear about Meredith’s experience witnessing a traumatic injury on the football field, why she loves talking to fans of opposing teams, and much more. Stay tuned!

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The Battle Between Sports and Injury

Imagine this: you’re an all-star hockey player who has paved the way for women in your sport. You’ve received offers from multiple D1 and Ivy League colleges asking you to play for them. Then, your world crashes down on you. That’s what happened to former hockey player Emily Atkins. Emily played on various varsity and all-star hockey teams throughout high school and college before sustaining two major head injuries that cut her sports career short.

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What is the College Recruitment Process Like During the Pandemic?

How does a high school athlete balance school, work, extracurriculars, and a
sport? What are the best ways to stay motivated and navigate the college recruitment process during a global pandemic? Current high school senior Kai Wong has experienced this balancing act firsthand. As a competitive swimmer, she is used to stressful situations. But, when college coaches became harder to reach and her progress was slowed because of the pandemic, how did Kai stay motivated? She’s here to share her story and the challenges and successes she faced along the way.

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What it Means to be a Woman in the Sports Communications Industry

What does a typical day in the life of a college Athletic Director look like? What about for a woman looking to break into the typically male-dominated sports communications industry? Kristen Smith knows firsthand. Kristen is the Assistant Director of Athletic Integrated Communications at The University of Memphis. However, landing this position wasn’t easy. As she says, women still face their fair share of challenges when entering a career in sports—but, with grit and determination, nothing is impossible. After persisting and landing a job in her dream industry, Kristen is now focused on helping other women and minorities do the same.
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Using Sports Psychology to Empower Student Athletes

What role does psychology play in sports? How does a person’s gender, race, or sexuality impact their experience as an athlete? These are the questions on Kelsey Parks Smith’s mind. Kelsey is the Coordinator of Programs for Student Athlete Development and Enhancement at Smith College. As a former equestrian, she translated her love of riding horses into her passion for helping college athletes gain confidence and improve their performance. With a master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Kelsey is interested in how gender, race, and sexuality impact athletes — and what she can do to empower the next generation.
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Marnie Schneider

Inspiring Kids To Read and Learn Through Sports Stories With Marnie Schneider of GameDay in the USA

April 5, 2023 No Comments

In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Marnie Schneider to talk about her first exposure to sports and what pushed her to pursue the pastime as her career. Marnie talks about her experience being a female author of a male-dominated scene and her goal of inspiring kids to find joy in reading. She also gives advice to the young generation interested in pursuing sports.

Read More »
Professor Annie Gilbert Coleman

Intersecting Outdoor Sports and Recreation, Gender, and Race With Professor Annie Gilbert Coleman

November 2, 2022 No Comments

In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Professor Annie Gilbert Coleman to talk about the intersection between outdoor sports and recreation, race, and gender. Professor Coleman talks about how she found herself in this particular area of study and why it’s important for people to learn about and understand the topic. She also shares what she hopes to achieve in teaching on the subject and what’s next with her research.

Read More »
Leigh Wojtkiewicz

Sports Analytics as the Pillar of Athletic Success With Leigh Wojtkiewicz

October 12, 2022 No Comments

In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms welcomes Leigh Wojtkiewicz, Associate Athletic Director at the University of Notre Dame and Co-founder of the Sports Data, Analytics & Technology Association. They talk about key aspects of working in a male-dominated industry, the way faith can elevate athletes, and what the future holds for Notre Dame Athletics.

Read More »
Grace Luczak

The Making of a Rowing Olympian and World Champion With Grace Luczak

October 5, 2022 No Comments

In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Grace Luczak, a five-time world champion and Olympian US rower. Grace shares how she got into rowing and her journey from trying out for a club team to eventually taking on the world on the Olympic stage. She also discusses how she maintained her discipline and passion through the years and gives advice for aspiring young athletes.

Read More »

Episodes

Marnie Schneider

Inspiring Kids To Read and Learn Through Sports Stories With Marnie Schneider of GameDay in the USA

April 5, 2023 No Comments

In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Marnie Schneider to talk about her first exposure to sports and what pushed her to pursue the pastime as her career. Marnie talks about her experience being a female author of a male-dominated scene and her goal of inspiring kids to find joy in reading. She also gives advice to the young generation interested in pursuing sports.

Read More »
Professor Annie Gilbert Coleman

Intersecting Outdoor Sports and Recreation, Gender, and Race With Professor Annie Gilbert Coleman

November 2, 2022 No Comments

In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Professor Annie Gilbert Coleman to talk about the intersection between outdoor sports and recreation, race, and gender. Professor Coleman talks about how she found herself in this particular area of study and why it’s important for people to learn about and understand the topic. She also shares what she hopes to achieve in teaching on the subject and what’s next with her research.

Read More »
Leigh Wojtkiewicz

Sports Analytics as the Pillar of Athletic Success With Leigh Wojtkiewicz

October 12, 2022 No Comments

In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms welcomes Leigh Wojtkiewicz, Associate Athletic Director at the University of Notre Dame and Co-founder of the Sports Data, Analytics & Technology Association. They talk about key aspects of working in a male-dominated industry, the way faith can elevate athletes, and what the future holds for Notre Dame Athletics.

Read More »
Grace Luczak

The Making of a Rowing Olympian and World Champion With Grace Luczak

October 5, 2022 No Comments

In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Grace Luczak, a five-time world champion and Olympian US rower. Grace shares how she got into rowing and her journey from trying out for a club team to eventually taking on the world on the Olympic stage. She also discusses how she maintained her discipline and passion through the years and gives advice for aspiring young athletes.

Read More »

BLOG

Tennis Champion Naomi Osaka – The Fault Line Between Love and Hate

Record Breaking Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson – Weeding Out Olympic Glory

Olympic Swimmer Maddie Groves – “Misogynistic Perverts “: Times Up Tokyo

Phoenix Suns – Purple Sunsets and Championship Dreams

Euro 2020: Weeping at Wembley

There’s No Crying in Baseball: Can Female Athletes Show Their Feminine Side?

The Tokyo Olympics: Is Anyone Watching?

Bunheads and Burgers: Winning at Life

Can Afghan Girls Still Ascend in Sports and Leadership? 

Khalida and Kardashian: Kicking for The Win onThis Giving Tuesday

Sportsmanship Starts with a Handshake

Desperately Seeking Susie: Gender Equity in Olympic Nordic Combined

A Sad Day: Reflecting on Student Mental Health

No Red Flags on the Play: The Student Athlete Suicide Pandemic

Title IX Turns 50:  Can We Celebrate?

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