The Unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sports
Coach Sydney Carter, a retired WNBA player and overseas professional, has witnessed the meteoric rise of women’s sports firsthand.
With record-breaking viewership and increasing popularity of star players like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, Carter believes the future is bright. “You’re giving women the platform now,” she says, “You’re seeing so many things about the women’s game that we already knew.”
A Passion for Empowering Young Women
Carter’s journey has come full circle, from winning an NCAA title at Texas A&M to serving as an assistant coach at her alma mater. Now, as the assistant coach and director of player development at the University of Texas, her passion lies in fostering a positive impact for student-athletes.
“I’ve always been a leader. I’ve always been a talker,” she explains, “I kind of just flowed into a role that will allow me to showcase my leadership skills for young women on and off the court.”
The “Pink Pants Coach” Shattering Norms
Dubbed “The Pink Pants Coach,” Carter went viral for wearing pink leather pants during a Cancer Awareness game. Despite criticism, she used the attention to showcase how women can lead and be powerful while embracing their fashion sense.
“I just show up as me, and I’m not apologizing for whatever,” she says, exemplifying how women with strong influence in sports can embrace their own style.
Trailblazing on the Court and Beyond
Carter’s professional career spanned the WNBA, where she played for teams like the Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream, as well as overseas in Latvia and Israel. Her success as a three-time Latvian/Estonian Champion and Eastern European League champion solidified her as a trailblazer on and off the court.
