Celebrating Mandela’s Life and Legacy through Sport

“Sport has the power to change the world.  It has the power to inspire, the power to unite people that little else has.” 

-Nelson Mandela

The 1995 Rugby World Cup was an international demonstration of the power of sport.  65,000 white Springbok fans cheered the newly elected President Mandela as he entered the stadium.  Forty-six years of segregation, hostility and oppression were brought to an end, the catalyst being Mandela’s support of the South African rugby team.  His support of the nation’s all-white Springbok team helped shift the attitudes of black South Africans, leading by example by way of forgiveness in hopes of a new beginning.  Apartheid was broken as a result of one man’s unwavering resolve to unite his country, and that unity was manifest in the stands of Ellis Park on June 24, 1995 as both black and white Springbok fans cheered their team to victory over New Zealand.

Nelson Mandela was celebrated and honored today by world leaders and international cultural icons who paid tribute to his life’s work .  His leadership, perseverance and commitment were unmatched, and his legacy has changed the world forever.  The sports arena has since been a gathering place for fans of all different races, beliefs and backgrounds who can share, if nothing else, a love for sport and their team.  Nelson Mandela’s legacy will continue to inspire athletes and leaders for generations to come, and the world will ever be a better place because of the impact he had.

You Go Girl! Celebrating Women’s Equality Day

Photo Credit: Glyn Kirk/AFP – Getty Images via NBC News Photo Blog

Last year marked the 40th anniversary of Title IX, the statute that forever changed the game of women’s athletics.  Since it’s passage, Title IX has facilitated a more than 900% increase in girls’ participation in sports.  August 26th has been deemed Women’s Equality Day, an occasion to celebrate and recognize women’s achievements stemming from the success of the Women’s Suffrage Movement winning women the right to vote in 1920.

Nearly 100 years later, the sports world can look to premiere female athletes and business leaders who continue to break records and empower young women to leverage sport as they strive for their goals.

Check out my full article here on Sports Networker!

Let Freedom Ring: National Freedom Week

As we celebrate our country’s anniversary of independence, we reflect on the tremendous strides our society has made to extend freedom and liberty to its citizens.  Great inroads to equality of opportunity have been made, breaking down historical barriers of race, gender and wealth.  While there are still battles to be won, much progress has been made, particularly in the historically white male-dominated sports industry.  In the last decade, women and minorities have climbed the ladder of success in sports business, blazing the trail for more to follow behind them.

Check out my full article in Sports Networker for my top three sports business influencers that embody freedom.