Reno Aces celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day

To celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, the Reno Aces are sharing thoughts from the women in the organization that make the team go.

“The purpose of National Girls and Women in Sports Day is to acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes, recognize the influence of sports participation for women and girls, and honor the progress and continuing struggle for equality for women in sports,” said Aces general manager Emily Jaenson.

Today marks the 35th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). This celebration inspires girls and women to play and be active, to realize their full power. The confidence, strength and character gained through sports participation are the very tools girls and women need to become strong leaders in sports and life. We invite you to celebrate NGWSD in your community and to join the Women's Sports Foundation as we Lead Her Forward in 2020.

More information on how to get involved is available here. Hear how sports and working in the industry have affected some of the women in our organization:

Emily Jaenson – General Manager

“I was an athlete growing up playing just about every sport you can imagine and it provided to me sisterhood of friends and fun, the experience of winning, and knowing what it feels like to work hard and see improvement. All of these aspects are essential to my life today in my career!

I am an athlete today; participation in sports taught me the importance of moving my body and overall health and wellness. Keeping fit allows me to do all of the things I want to do today including having the energy to juggle a full-time demanding job, be a mom to my little boys, and pursue my hobbies.

I look to today's female athletes and women leading sports organizations for inspiration. Women continue to break barriers and this work lead HER forward in the next generation.”

Laura Raymond – Membership Development Director

“When I started my career in sports with the San Jose Sharks in 2009, I don’t think I really understood what I was getting myself into. This industry has not only given me access to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, like being trusted with the San Francisco Giants triplets in 2015 and working the 2019 NHL All-Star Weekend, but also the chance to meet and build friendships with people from all over the country that I never would have met otherwise. Above that, this industry allows me to give back to my community in ways that not many people get the chance to, and I think that is what keeps pulling me back to the world of sports. Bringing exciting and engaging entertainment to our fans game after game never seems to get old, is something I feel so fortunate to be a part of.”

Courtney Baker – Corporate Partnerships Account Manager

“I had known ever since high school that I wanted to work in sports. Here I am in 2021, nine years of experience later. Working in sports is demanding, time-consuming and stressful (at times); but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Nothing beats game days and the friendships you get to make along the way.”

Leah Withrow – Head groundskeeper

“Getting to work in sports is a dream. That feeling I had when I was little, getting to go to the park and kick the ball around, is the same feeling I get everyday. There’s a lot work of work that has to happen, but at the end of the day it’s just fun and baseball games most of the time.”

Stacey Bowman – Chief Financial Officer

“I love working in sports as I am able to be a part of making memories for our fans. As a woman in sports it is important to me to show to our future generations that barriers based on gender should not exist.”

Sarah Bliss – Director of Ticket Operations

“It shouldn’t be noteworthy that I’m a woman working in sports. It shouldn’t be surprising that women are coaches, general managers and referees at a major league level. These should be accepted norms.

Not only am I a woman working in professional sports, I am a coach for Girls on the Run. In both I see the continuing need to inspire young women to recognize their power and potential to achieve their dreams. Those dreams will lead to a world where women achieving whatever they want in sports is the norm.”

Samantha Hicks – Chief Revenue Officer

"Sports unite people, getting to walk into a stadium every day to bring more fans to our games, how cool is that for work?!"