The world of professional and college sports is publicized as a male-dominated career.
Often times, public opinion puts women below men in the ability to do athletic jobs. Additionally, existing stereotypes, as well as certain obstacles and challenges, can hold women in athletics back from advancing in their careers.
Despite this, women in athletics here at Cabrini have worked their way to top leadership positions and have experienced a great amount of success.
Cindy Ikeler is in her fourth year as the head men and women’s swimming coach as well as the director of aquatics and safety.
“Women may feel like they are working a little bit harder than their male counterparts to do the same job and to do the same job well,” Ikeler said.
According to Pew Research Center, about four in 10 Americans point to a double standard for women seeking to climb to the highest levels of business, where they have to do more than their male counterparts to prove themselves.
The same study also found that the public is divided about whether the imbalance in corporate America will change in the future, even with all of the major advances women have made in the workplace.
Kate Pearson is in her seventh season as the Cabrini women’s basketball head coach and feels similar to Ikeler on the subject.
“Often times women will work with what they have even if they do not have the resources they need to succeed,” Pearson said. “I feel like men on the other hand will fight for and demand increased resources to help them get to the next level.”
Pearson worked as the women’s assistant coach for five seasons before becoming the head coach in 2009.
“As a woman in a very male-dominated field, I think the challenges often come from within,” Pearson said. “I want to prove that I can be successful in my field because I am a woman instead of despite the fact that I am a woman.”
Both Pearson and Ikeler have had to learn the balance of being a mother and working the long, demanding hours that come along with head coaching.
Ikeler, who gave birth to her first child this past July, has already seen the challenges that can come along with being a mother and balancing a full-time job.
“When you become a parent, you’re going to get a lot of opinions,” Ikeler said. “Many people still believe that it is better that women stay home with their children but nowadays many people do not have that luxury even if they want it.”
Despite the fact that it can be challenging from time to time, Ikeler has also seen the positive aspects of coaching and having a family.
“I think the challenge is balancing doing a great job in your workplace, but also doing a great job at home,” Ikeler said. “Personally, I feel that my job makes me a better mom and being a mom makes me better at my job.”
Pearson, a mother of two, agrees with Ikeler.
“When I am at work, I often feel guilty about not being with my kids and missing out on things in their lives,” Pearson said. “When I am at home, I feel like I am not giving enough to my job.”
However, Pearson has found coaching to be a beneficial career field when it comes to balancing both work and family time.
“Even though coaching requires a great deal of time and long hours, it is also a profession that enables me to bring my kids to work,” Pearson said. “This is great because it helps both my players and my kids see another side of me.”
A study conducted by students at The University of Minnesota in 2013 found that the percentage of women coached by women has greatly declined throughout the years. In 1974, more than 90 percent of college female athletes were coached by women, but today the number is around 43 percent.
This leaves a lot of female student athletes without a female role model for a coach. Ikeler and Pearson have both embraced this role.
“I feel that I am in a position to be a mentor so I hope I can be an example and show the women I coach that it is possible to go into any profession they want to even if they feel that is male dominated,” Ikeler said.
“I hope my players feel comfortable coming to me because I am a female and have been in their shoes at one point in my life,” Pearson said. “It is really rewarding when my players graduate and our relationship extends beyond more than player and coach.”
Knowing the barriers, Ikeler recommends that women prepare themselves to be ready to rise up against any challenges that may come across in the workplace.
“Do not quit, be persistent and patient but also be positive and work hard,” Ikeler said. “People will notice this and you will get to where you want to be.”
