Empowering Women in Sports: Join USC’s Inspiring National Girls & Women in Sports Day Panel Discussions

Amy Trask spoke to a packed auditorium at USC’s University Park Campus on a Wednesday afternoon. She urged everyone to seize new opportunities, even if they seem daunting at first. This approach has certainly paid off for her.

Back in 1983, while studying at USC Gould School of Law, Trask made a bold move. She reached out to the Los Angeles Raiders to inquire about an internship. “What’s an intern?” they asked. She replied, “I’ll work for free.” They invited her in.

That phone call opened the door to a nearly 30-year career with the Raiders, where Trask became the first female CEO in the NFL.

Trask was one of nine influential women at the National Girls & Women in Sports Day event, co-hosted by USC Gould and the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. The event included three panels featuring trailblazers in sports, all aimed at inspiring the next generation of female athletes and leaders. After the discussions, students had a chance to network and seek advice for their futures.

Reflecting on her experience, Trask noted, “When I entered my first league owners meeting, I was the only woman there. I could have focused on that, but I chose not to.” She emphasized that if she didn’t want others to see her as a woman first, she shouldn’t waste her time seeing herself that way.

During a panel on groundbreaking women in sports, Trask joined Jennifer Lewis, general counsel for the L.A. Clippers, and Courtney Moore, VP of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the L.A. Dodgers. Each shared their unique journeys into professional sports, along with the challenges they faced.

All three women have law degrees but took different paths to get where they are. Trask spent time at a law firm before the Raiders offered her a full-time position. Lewis worked in entertainment for over two decades before joining the Clippers. “Create your own north star,” she advised, emphasizing self-definition and purpose.

Moore discussed the shift in how sports teams view diversity and inclusion following the murder of George Floyd. “I had to educate my new organization on the importance of these initiatives for the Dodgers,” she said.

Another highlight of the event was a discussion led by former USC soccer players Elizabeth Eddy and Katie Johnson, who were joined by fellow Angel City FC teammates Madison Hammond and Angelina Anderson. They chatted about the rise of women’s professional soccer and shared how Angel City FC is making waves in the sport.

Angel City FC started in 2020 and had its first season in the National Women’s Soccer League in 2022. This marked the return of a professional women’s soccer team to L.A. after the L.A. Sol folded in 2010. The club is backed by a majority female ownership group, including actress Natalie Portman.

Hammond highlighted Angel City’s commitment to excellence, stating, “We’re here to demonstrate that women’s sports deserve your support because we perform at a high level.”

Johnson, who recently retired from Angel City FC, reflected on the progress she sees in the sports community today. “Younger players no longer have to worry about certain struggles I faced, like housing or living arrangements,” she noted.

The final panel brought more insights from the world of sports branding. Olivia Cheng, from LA28, and Allison Galer, founder of Disrupt the Game, shared how they carved their paths in the industry. Cheng climbed the ranks through various sports organizations, while Galer worked with the WNBA’s L.A. Sparks before starting her own agency.

Both women emphasized the importance of hard work and building connections. They praised USC’s resources, even though neither attended the school. “At USC, there are no excuses,” Cheng said. “You’re in L.A., the sports capital of the U.S.”