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7 women’s college basketball superstars reflect on the NCAA’s weight room scandal a year later

Women’s college basketball stars told Insider their thoughts on the NCAA’s weight room scandal one year later. The 7 players, who have NIL deals with Wingstop, said brand investment is crucial in the fight for equity. Read more from the stars — including three All-Americans and two Freshmen of the Year — below:

Shock and disappointment were two of the prevailing emotions women’s college basketball stars remember feeling as the NCAA’s weight room scandal unfolded.

Whether they were watching from home or discovering the slight in-person at the tournament, players were dismayed to see the blatant disparities between resources offered at the men’s and women’s venues during last year’s March Madness.

While athletes at the men’s tournament had access to a sparkling weight room filled with rows of top-notch machinery, those at the women’s tournament were expected to make due with a pile of yoga mats and a basic rack of dumbbells.

—Sedona Prince (@sedonaprince_) March 19, 2021

A year later, seven of the most prominent stars in women’s college basketball reflected on the experience and told Insider about how the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness rights (NIL) has helped to level the playing field. All seven have teamed up with restaurant chain Wingstop, whose aim is to “give wings” to female players and help the women’s game receive the recognition and financial backing it’s long lacked.

From Player of the Year candidate and projected WNBA lottery pick NaLyssa Smith to reigning national champion Lexie Hull and NCAA single-game scoring record holder Ayoka Lee, here are the seven stars’ thoughts on the weight room scandal and importance of brand investment in women’s hoops:

Read the original article on Insider

NaLyssa Smith — Baylor

“I just felt it was unfair and belittling to women’s athletes,” Smith said of the weight room situation, adding: “Having a company like Wingstop to support [us] will open people’s eyes and will help give women a platform.”

Jakia Brown-Turner — NC State

“I was shocked when I saw the comparison of our weight room to the men,” Brown-Turner said. “I always knew that there was inequality in athletics, but actually experiencing [it] firsthand opened my eyes. It made me realize that we were really overlooked.”

“I think it is important for companies to spotlight women athletes because we work hard to perfect our craft,” she added. “Spotlighting women athletes brings attention and support to us.”

Sonia Citron — Notre Dame

“When I first saw [the weight room], I honestly didn’t believe it,” Citron said. “I thought that there was no way that we were in 2021 and things like this could still happen. I was speechless. It was kind of an awakening and a reminder that we as women still have so much work to do, and we cannot stop until we achieve equality.”

“I really appreciated what [Wingstop is] doing for women with this campaign,” she added. “I wanted to raise awareness on the inequality we face as women in sports and hope to push forward the cause.”

Rori Harmon — Texas

“It is always disappointing when you have that type of visual with such discrepancy between the men and women’s exercise equipment,” Harmon said. “But I am optimistic that there will be more balance going forward.”

Veronica Burton — Northwestern

“My initial reaction to seeing the difference between the weight rooms was disappointment but nothing that I was too surprised about — things like that are what women are told to accept,” Burton said.

Lexie Hull — Stanford

“I honestly didn’t believe it — I thought there had to be another weight room somewhere or maybe each team had an individual one,” Hull said. “It wasn’t until we saw pictures of the men’s weight room and asked more about the one we had seen did I realize that it was real — the small rack of dumbbells and yoga mats was all that was provided for us. It was shocking more than anything.”

 “I have seen first-hand major discrepancies in every part of women’s athletics, like the weight room in the NCAA tournament last year or simply media coverage of women’s sports in general,” she continued. “I think it’s important for companies and organizations to highlight women’s sports because I think people are interested in what they see and what is shown to them.”

Ayoka Lee — Kansas State

“I think my initial reaction [to the weight room scandal] was how can this still be happening and why has it taken so long for it to be addressed,” Lee said. “As women I believe our society tells us to take what is given to us and not cause any commotion. During that time last year, I could not help but feel an immense sense of pride for all the women that were speaking out and taking a stance against the inequality. It is so much easier to ignore the problems instead of speaking out and doing the work to change it. I am so proud that I am part of a generation of female athletes that are fighting to make a difference. “

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