By Carly Murray, Gaylord College Class of 2023
“Come join AWSM! It’s for girls who want to work in the sports industry,” a senior girl exclaimed to freshman me at the Gaylord Involvement Fair. I eagerly wrote down my name on the piece of paper and spent the next week looking forward to the first meeting of the semester. When I arrived in Classroom 1020, I was greeted by the two cheery advisors, Lee Reynolds and Barry Orr. They had an intentional conversation with me, asking my name, where I’m from, and all the basic “all about me questions.” After chatting with them, I sat down in a chair and the meeting began. The president, senior Meredith Mulkey, told us what to expect for the semester. She left time at the end of the meeting for us to get to know each other better, and that was when I realized I had found “my people” in college. I didn’t rush, I’m not really the sorority girl, and that seemed to be the big thing at OU. I was wondering how I’d make genuine friends that I would connect with, and AWSM was it.
Fast-forward three years -- AWSM has rebranded to Gaylord Women in Sports and I am one of the presidents. This organization has truly meant the world to me while I’ve been in Gaylord. GWS has provided opportunities and connections with women in the sports industry, including OU Athletics. And I’ve been blessed to make lifelong friends along the way. It’s so important to have a safe space for women in sports at Gaylord College. Women are often doubted, discouraged and talked down to for pursuing a career in sports. GWS ensures there is a place for women to talk about their experiences and a space for them to be uplifted and encouraged. I hope that I have made an impact on underclassmen, and I hope they know they can always reach out to me, I will always be there for them.
