In this episode, I spoke with Beth Kaufman, who played on the first women’s basketball team at Edison Community College from 1994 to 1996 and then transferred to Urbana University to play volleyball in 1999. Prior to college sports, she played volleyball and softball, while also throwing shot and discus in highschool. She now has two daughters who played college soccer. With her experience as a retired female athlete, who also has daughters who participated in college sports within the last four years, Kaufman is able to share her thoughts on the difference of not having social media while competing in collegiate sports.

In episode three of Sideline Talk, I spoke with Mackenzie Pflum, a Sideline Reporter at Bally Sports Ohio. Pflum graduated from Ashland University with a Digital Media Production Degree and a Minor in Sport Management. With her experience in sports media as a reporter, Pflum offers her insight into how journalism and reporting plays a role in the portrayal of female athletes. We discuss the aspect of social media as a way of covering sports and how that may impact female athletes.

In this episode, I spoke with Monique (Mo) Smith, a former Division I basketball player and current highschool basketball coach at Ellet High School in Akron, Ohio. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. Mo brings in a unique perspective, combining her experience as a female athlete, a coach and someone who studies psychology, to share her insights about how social media impacts female athletes, specifically high school players.

To kick off Sideline Talk, I talk with Danielle (Danie) Tyson, former Kent State University volleyball player. Danie Tyson finished her final season this past December. As a division I athlete in the midst of Name, Image and Likeness policy changes and the rise of TikTok, Danie Tyson has been immersed in the intersection of social media and sports. As we discuss the relationship between social media and female athletes, Danie shares her thoughts and personal experiences to shed light on a female athletes’ perspective on this topic.