Hungry for a title
From The GIST College Sports (hi@thegistsports.com)
Happy National Girls and Women in Sports Day!
Now that’s a holiday we can get behind. Let’s celebrate with, what else, some news about women in sports, of course.
— Harvard women’s basketball senior Harmoni Turner, after her team’s annual Black History Game, which takes place every season to honor the Black women that have helped pave the way for current players. Changing the game.
Softball
🥎 Who's on first?
The GIST: There might still be snow outside your window and a chill in the air, but get your glove ready because softball season is almost here. Let’s check in on the top storylines and get ready for the season before it swings into action tomorrow.
How it works: Division I programs begin play tomorrow, kicking off a three and a half month season that ends with 64 teams earning spots in the national tournament. Half of those teams get the nod for winning their conference, while the other half are selected by a committee. Batter up.
Can anyone dethrone Oklahoma?: The Sooners have ruled the diamond for the last decade, claiming six NCAA championships since 2016 and the last four in a row. Could a five-peat be incoming? Not if preseason No. 1 Texas has anything to say about it. The Longhorns finished second to Oklahoma in 2022 and 2024, meaning they’re extra hungry for a title and a side of revenge.
- Leading the way for the Longhorns? Reigning Softball America Player of the Year, junior Reese Atwood, a power hitter who homered 23 times last season.
How will conference realignment change things?: Some of the country’s top programs will be experiencing change due to the dismantling of the Pac-12, including preseason No. 6 UCLA, the school with the most Women’s College World Series titles. The Bruins will now play in the Big Ten alongside Oregon, while other conference standouts Stanford and California have joined the ACC.
- Meanwhile, last season’s USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, NiJaree Canady, transferred from Stanford to Texas Tech. Can the star pitcher and her jaw-dropping 0.57 ERA transform the Red Raiders? Can’t wait to find out.
Women’s basketball
🏀 From downtown
The GIST: This week’s slate of women’s basketball games features several top-25 contests with major postseason implications. With March just one month away, the stakes are officially raised.
No. 9 TCU Horned Frogs at No. 12 Kansas State Wildcats — Today at 7:30 p.m. ET — ESPN+: The winner of this matchup will take sole possession of the Big 12’s top spot. Expect a point guard battle between TCU’s Hailey Van Lith, who averages 18.7 points per game, and K-State’s Serena Sundell, who leads the country with 166 assists. It’s a guard-eat-guard world.
No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 1 UCLA Bruins — Today at 9:30 p.m. ET — Peacock: On the line? First place in the Big Ten, a shot at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and UCLA’s status as Division I’s only undefeated team, women’s or men’s. Cancel your plans and pop some popcorn — this one’s a must-see.
No. 5 UConn Huskies at No. 19 Tennessee Volunteers — Tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. ET — ESPN: Two of the country’s most historic programs will meet for the 27th time, with UConn holding a 17-9 advantage. This rivalry started in 1995 with the late Pat Summitt coaching the Vols against Geno Auriemma’s rising Huskies, and it promises even more drama 30 years later.
No. 24 Vanderbilt Commodores at No. 4 Texas Longhorns — Tomorrow at 9 p.m. ET — SECN: Vanderbilt already has two SEC upsets to its name, but beating Texas would take its postseason resume to another level. Meanwhile, sophomore sensation Madison Booker and the Longhorns are seeking a No. 1 seed come March.
Giveaway Alert
⚽ Let's kick it
The NWSL and MLS seasons are kicking off soon and we want you to enjoy a slice of soccer paradise at this year’s Coachella Valley Invitational, the largest pro soccer preseason event in North America. It’s like the famous music festival, but make it sports.
The winner will receive two 2-Day VIP passes for the February 15-16th weekend, with VIP perks including:
😎 Access to the VIP Pavillion with lounge seating and unlimited food and drinks
🚗 Preferred parking
⚽ Comfortable, shaded seating to enjoy the games
Ready to cheer on your fave NWSL and MLS players in this picturesque setting? Enter to win today.
🏀 Longtime Florida State men’s basketball coach stepping down at end of season
Leonard Hamilton, who coached the Seminoles for 22 years, is the last of the ACC’s legendary “old guard” to retire. He began his career at Florida State at the same time that Roy Williams took over at UNC, and coached alongside Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski and Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim for years. Truly the end of an era.
🏐 Trent Kersten named Oregon head women’s volleyball coach
The reigning West Coast Conference coach of the year, he led Loyola Marymount to a 45-12 record over two seasons. Now, he’s making a huge leap to take over a Power Four squad — and not just any program, but the high-flying Ducks, who were perennial national title contenders under former coach Matt Ulmer. No pressure.
🎾 Coco Gauff funds HBCU tennis scholarships
The pro tennis superstar and WTA No. 3–ranked player donated $100K to UNCF to found the “Coco Gauff Scholarship Program,”the university announced yesterday. The money will go directly to tennis scholarships for students competing for historically Black colleges and universities. File that under “things we love to see.”
Together With Reverse Health
🧘 Who said you need to make all your New Year’s resolutions in January? As far as we’re concerned, 2025 is just getting started — which means it’s the perfect time to revamp your workout routine with Reverse Health, the best at-home fitness app for women over 40.
- For a limited time, you can join their 28-Day Yoga Challenge for 60% off. It’s low-impact, affordable, and with 20-minute classes, easy to fit into your schedule. Inhale, exhale, and try it out today.
Recs from our roster!
🛒 Where to shop
Playa Society. Founded by former D1 hooper Esther Wallace, the brand celebrates women’s basketball with bold, empowering apparel.
🎨 Who to know
“Queen Tahj” Williams, a New Orleans artist who made history as the first Black woman to design the Super Bowl logo and theme art.
🤳 Who to follow
Ja’Dayia Kursh. Arkansas’ first Black rodeo queen advocates for diversity in the sport and encourages young Black girls to participate in an industry that’s been slow to change.
Today’s email was brought to you by Eden Laase and Briana Ekanem. Fact checking by Mikaela Perez. Ops by Marga Sison and Elisha Gunaratnam. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alessandra Puccio, and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula and Katie Kehoe Foster. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.