November 27, 2023
Women Student-Athletes Support Initiative
WILMORE, Ky. --- WSASI stands for the Asbury Women Student-Athletes Support Initiative, a group created with the purpose of connecting and empowering female student-athletes together during their athletics career and into their life journey.
"We wanted to build a sense of community between all the sports. We attempt to host a few events a semester, some being fun, some educational, and some with guest speakers," said WSASI Director and Asbury Senior Woman Administrator Kelsey Lang.
"We have an intentional social media account that promotes female sports and gives them a platform to see them as more than just student-athletes. In less than a year, WSASI not only supports our original goals but, has developed into something greater than we ever expected."
During the 2023 fall semester, WSASI has been able to develop a leadership team of female student-athletes that help with writing devotionals, event planning, and social media. With their help the group has been able to serve Asbury female student-athletes better while also giving them the opportunity to develop their leadership skills.
Lang went on to say, "We plan to keep growing and hope to add community service opportunities soon! WSASI has definitely been one of the highlights of my career. It gives my job a greater meaning and challenges me to keep growing in leadership. I hope to serve our student-athletes to the best of my ability and continuously strive to grow WSASI. I'm very thankful for Asbury Athletics consistent support of our mission!"
"WSASI Kicks off New Year" by Senior, Communications major Spencer Harvey
Playing a sport at the collegiate level is never categorized as easy. Juggling academic and athletic commitments can be difficult by themselves. That doesn't mention the extracurricular activities and social life, which can be very overwhelming on top of all of the student-athlete's responsibilities. With over 300 athletes at Asbury University, about half of those are female.
The athletic department has just recently welcomed a new group for female athletes. Last year, Kelsey Lang, associate head athletic trainer, created the group based on her own experiences in the training room.
"The Women's Student-Athlete Support Initiative was originally created to build a sense of community within the female student-athlete," Lang said. "I felt like too often I would see female student-athletes in the training room say, 'I know her, but I've never talked to her.'"
The goal of the group is to find common ground across different sports.
"I felt like too often we get separated into our teams a little bit too much, and it was just a great idea to get us in the same room and realize that we aren't all that different," Lang said.
It has been a positive experience for women who have been attending since the group was created. It became a safe place for female student-athletes to kind of escape all of their other responsibilities.
"Last year I was injured and out for the season, just kind of a different perspective being on the sidelines and not necessarily being there for all the little things when you're on the court," said Celia Pelfrey, WSASI devotional writer. "So this group was just kind of a great way to get my mind off those things and have other people around me to support me."
Competing in college athletics has many challenges, this helps women bridge the gap between their sports and their emotional well-being.
"As an athlete, to be able to support each other and relate on a different level, like emotionally, and get to see those people outside of sports," Pelfrey said.
Attending the group offers female student-athletes to bond with one another, find a sense of community outside of their sport, and also hear from guest speakers. The speakers are always someone who has been in their shoes in some form or fashion. They share their testimonies, devotional and even offer life advice.
Follow WSASI on instagram @asburywsasi to stay up to date on future and events and if you would like to learn more!
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