Her Y

Her Y, hosted by Lauren McClain, focuses solely on the women who have played and coached the BYU sports we love to watch. We will celebrate their triumphs in the field of play and dig deep to discuss the setbacks in their athletic careers and everyday lives. The stories they tell will inspire and enlighten sports fans and non-sports fans alike. It’s time these Cougars get the attention they deserve.

In this interview, Whitney Johnson Catt, BYU’s Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development, Diversity, and Inclusion, discusses her role and the changes she’s seen since starting in 2021. She talks about how BYU’s move to the Big 12 has affected her work in diversity and inclusion and highlights the evolving landscape of diversity efforts at BYU.

Her Y, hosted by Lauren McClain, focuses solely on the women who have played and coached the BYU sports we love to watch. We will celebrate their triumphs in the field of play and dig deep to discuss the setbacks in their athletic careers and everyday lives. The stories they tell will inspire and enlighten sports fans and non-sports fans alike. It’s time these Cougars get the attention they deserve.

BYU women's golfer Whitney Banz's last 12 months have been a bit crazy. She returned from a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Thailand, officially transferred to BYU from Westminster College, and has tried to get her golf game back in order after not playing for 18 months. Whitney talks about how she attempts to conquer the mental blocks in the game of golf and setting records in Utah, but not in golf.

BYU women's basketball head coach Amber Whiting joins us this week to tell us all about the team's first season in the Big 12. She celebrates the team's fighting spirit, standout players, and what fans can look forward to next season.

In this episode get to know Ari Mackey-Williams, a basketball player for BYU and recent convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who hails from New Zealand! She had a successful sophomore season but just before her junior year was hit with an ACL injury, which ultimately led her to lean on her team for support during recovery. Through this trial, her faith was strengthened, and her enthusiasm for basketball has only increased.

Join us this week on Her Y to hear how Natalie Lainhart's love of basketball led her down some unexpected paths. She always dreamed she'd be a successful basketball player turned coach, but due to some injuries and some divine help, her journey has looked quite different from the one she would have made for herself. Listen to how this basketball player became BYU Women's Basketball Director of Operations and the joy she finds in connecting with athletes.

Join us on this episode of Her Y as we tee off with a special guest, the BYU Women's Golf Coach Carrie Roberts. Delve into the world of golf as she shares insights into her team and the challenges of competing in the Big 12. From her unexpected coaching journey to poignant family anecdotes, discover the resilience and passion driving her remarkable career both on and off the green.

Ashley Hatch is one of the best soccer players in the United States, but she was deeply disappointed when she didn't make the USWNT's World Cup roster in 2023. In this episode, the former Cougar soccer superstar talks about how she maintained her love of soccer disappointment, and public rejections. Lauren also talks to her about maintaining a long-distance marriage, sticking to personal values, and how she gives back to her community through her "Boots from Pros" organization, which donates cleats to young aspiring players.

This week on Her Y, we share an episode from another member of our BYUradio family—Top of Mind—about the impact of sports. Most Americans identify as sports fans – more than identify as church-goers. Is it good for sports fandom to play such a prominent role in society? After all, we know how tribal, obsessive, and competitive we can get about our favorite sports teams. But there’s evidence that sports fandom benefits American society as a whole. For example, it fuels networks of relationships and can help reduce political polarization. In this podcast episode, we’ll hear why sports fans often have more friends and are more satisfied with other aspects of their lives. And we’ll cast a critical eye on the influence sports has on the way we think about gender, patriotism, and the American Dream. How can we maximize the positive impact of sports fandom in society?