University of Michigan Hosts Inaugural ElevateHER Summit
The event at Crisler Center brought together alumni and student-athletes to discuss the future of women in sports.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Women’s Issues
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University of Michigan Athletics recently hosted its inaugural ElevateHER summit at the Crisler Center. The event aimed to increase attention and resources toward women's athletics through professional development and industry panel discussions.
Why it matters
The summit seeks to address gender disparities in resource allocation within collegiate sports programs. By highlighting career pathways, the initiative encourages greater investment and engagement with women's athletics.
During the 2024-25 period, Michigan Athletics allocated $7.8 million to women's programs compared to $17.3 million for men's programs. Additionally, national viewership for women's college basketball saw a 33% increase recently.
The players
Andrea Joyce
She is a veteran broadcaster who served as the summit's emcee and brings over 40 years of experience in the sports industry.
University of Michigan
This public research university serves as the host institution for the summit and manages a large Division I athletics department.
The details
Moderated by emcee Andrea Joyce, the summit featured a panel discussion titled Women in Sports: Pathways, Power and Persistence. Participants included Michigan graduates Kate Johnson, Li Li Leung, Casey E. Taylor, and Estee Portnoy, who offered professional insights to varsity student-athletes.
Timeline
Thursday, October 16, 2026
2024-25
Culture Shift
The summit marks an institutional attempt to address the historical gender disparity where women receive less than one fifth of total expenditures at the Division I FBS level. This shift reflects a broader collegiate move to align resources with the rising national interest in women's athletics.
Varsity student-athletes in the area received complementary tickets to attend the summit and network with industry professionals. Residents and fans can track future university initiatives aimed at balancing athletic department resource allocation.
The takeaway
The summit underscores a growing commitment from major universities to professionalize the career development of female student-athletes. Attendees gained access to actionable networking strategies from alumni established in high-level sports business roles.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts regarding Women’s Issues.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Michigan Daily.
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Should universities increase funding for women's sports programs to reach parity with men's athletic spending?
