It’s International Women’s Day and the sports world has a lot to honor.
From the U.S. Women’s National Team winning the World Cup to the increase of female coaches on the sidelines to youngster Lydia Ko snatching the LPGA No. 1 world ranking, it’s been a great year for women and sports.
Here’s what the sports world is celebrating today:
USWNT winning the World Cup
The U.S. women’s soccer team winning its’ first World Cup since the famed 1999 run was inspiring on so many levels. The squad featured incredible athletes, including Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Carli Lloyd, who scored three goals in the final match against Japan.
It catapulted equality in women’s sports, specifically the turf conditions compared to the men’s fields, into the mainstream media.
Abby Wambach’s retirement
My generation was obsessed with Mia Hamm. Everyone wanted to wear the No. 9 on the pitch. This next generation of girls wants to be Abby Wambach. When Wambach broke Hamm’s all-time scoring record in 2013, she cemented her legacy as one of the greats. Her retirement was a celebration of a sensational career-and she went out on top as World Champion.
Serena Williams’ incredible run
Serena Williams had one of the most exciting Grand Slam runs in recent tennis history. She won the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon, but Roberta Vinci beat her 6-4, 6-4 in a devastating match at the U.S. Open. For those of you that aren’t tennis fans, the last Grand Slam winner was Steffi Graf in 1988. Williams’ run earned her the 2015 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year award, joining legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summitt as the only woman to win the award this century.
Women’s MMA taking off in popularity
Ronda Rousey. Holly Holm. Miesha Tate. All names a year ago normal sports fans probably would have had to Google. Popularity for women’s MMA has skyrocketed over the last year, with viewers tuning in to see Rousey knock out Cat Zingano in 13 seconds, Holm shock Rousey and Tate take down Holm.
Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm
Coaches on the sideline
When Becky Hammon was hired as a full-time coach with the San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Poppovich said, “I think some people thought this was some kind of gimmick, or we were just trying to be cool. I’m glad she’s there. I respect her opinion.” That’s the same sentiment that came from Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians when he hired Dr. Jen Welter as the first female to hold a coaching position in the NFL. Welter, who worked with inside linebackers, subsequently gave advice to Kathryn Smith, who was hired in July by the Buffalo Bills to be a quality control coach.
Caitlyn Jenner’s speech at the ESPYs
Jenner’s speech at the ESPYs was an incredible moment for the transgender community. She was awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, given every year. Jenner, who won the decathalon in the Olympics, was welcomed warmly by the athletic community and spoke with poise and confidence.
The launch of the NWHL and the game before the Winter Classic
The National Women’s Hockey league launched this season and played the Canadian Women’s Hockey League in the first outdoor women’s Winter Classic. The Boston Pride of the NWHL and Les Canadiennes de Montreal played at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 31. Something to not be lost in this: Boston Pride forward Deanna Laing sustained a spinal injury in the game and is recovering.
Breanna Stewart’s domination
The Connecticut forward has completely dominated college basketball. She’s one of the most famous Huskies to play the game and has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant during her four years at UConn and has won every major award in the sport. She’s averaging close to a double-double with 19.6 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game. Plus, Stewart has only lost five games in her ENTIRE career at Connecticut. Think about that.
Lydia Ko snatches No. 1 ranking
The 18-year-old from New Zeland had quite a year. She became the youngest player, male or female, to attain the No. 1 world ranking, won Player of the Year and won the Evian Championship. Pretty good for only her second year on the LPGA tour.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Olympic ice dancers Maia and Alex Shibutani along with Paul E. George, who served as the director of the U.S. Olympic Committee, were elected to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
The trio will be inducted Jan. 28 during the U.S. figure skating championships in San Jose, California.
The Shibutani siblings were two-time Olympians who won a pair of bronze medals at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games before stepping away from the sport in their prime. They also were three-time world medalists, earned medals at each of their 14 national championships and were two-time senior U.S. champions.
Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani, who is three years older than his sister, became the first U.S. ice dancers to medal at the world debut in 2011, and the second-youngest team to medal at worlds. She was 16 and he was 19 at the time.
George was the Chef de Mission of the U.S. delegation to the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. The longtime member of the Skating Club of Boston, George also was director of the U.S. Figure Skating Association in the late 1980s and early ’90s and later served as president and trustee of the U.S. Figure Skating Foundation.
Father’s Day Gifts 2022: Best ideas for the Sports Fan Dad from Golf to Electronics
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Father’s Day is just days away and as the thinking goes, the Dads of the family are often the hardest to shop for. But with the weather getting warmer, there’s countless opportunities to get outside, whether for sports or relaxation, and that means countless opportunities to find the perfect gift to make Father’s Day brighter for the Dads who love sports in any and all forms.
To help you in the gift selection process (even if you’ve left it up to the last minute!), the team at NBC Sports has sourced great options from across the internet for sporting Dads of all kinds. Whether the person you’re shopping for is up before dawn to get in a workout, more inclined to take in sports from the couch, or the consummate host planning summer’s best tailgate, there’s a great choice on this list across a variety of price ranges. Below are our ideas separated into categories:
A perfect way to perfect your chipping skills before heading out for a tee time. The net is portable and includes all the pieces needed for a full-scale practice at-home or on the go.
This experience is a must for any dad looking to elevate their game. Per the PGA Tour Super Store site, fittings combine “game-changing technology and manufacturer-specific equipment with the personal attention of our certified fitters to deliver a fully immersive fitting session.” Golfers will leave the one-on-one session with specs for perfectly fitted custom clubs that will be built and shipped to you.
Give your Dad an extra boost of confidence in his golf swing with a pair of Adidas Spikeless golf shoes. Not only are they comfortable, but the shoes are lightweight, stylish, and affordable.
Another great option for Dad that will scratch his golf itch! With this indoor or outdoor putting green mat, the ball will automatically roll back to the golfer after he putts it into the hole.
Help Dad perfect his golf skills right at home with this practice golf net. Just like the pop-up chipping net, this gift option is lightweight and portable and will allow Dad to hit golf balls right in the backyard.
This bag is lightweight with multiple pockets and perfect for the Dad trying to fit in a workout. It’s available in multiple colors, has waterproof storage for swim gear or sweaty apparel post-gym and doubles as the perfect bag for a quick weekend trip.
Whether it’s for early morning workouts or coaching the 8am Little League game on Saturday morning, a Yeti mug is a great accessory to keep coffee piping hot. Tumblers come in various shapes and sizes to indulge all varieties of pre-game caffeine habits.
The weather is getting warmer, making it the perfect time to give your Dad these comfortable and colorful shoes for the road. The shoes have a quick drying mesh material that will provide the ultimate in efficiency and comfort.
Invented in 1965 and combining elements of badminton, tennis and ping-pong, pickleball is the latest rec sport sensation sweeping the nation. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, it’s one of America’s fastest growing sports, picking up corporate sponsorships and avid enthusiasts nationwide. If Dad is a paddle sport enthusiast looking to indulge their competitive streak, this paddle set is the perfect way to get started.
Garmin is one of the most trusted names in GPS watches and enables you to monitor and track your fitness endeavors while streamlining your training. Whether it’s for the Dad training for their 10th marathon or just getting started in running and biking, a Garmin Forerunner is a great option to level-up your exercise.
This 28-piece set of BBQ accessories is the perfect gift for a Dad that loves to cook for everyone. This versatile set has everything you need: a spatula, fork, 2 barbecue mats, tongs, basting brush, grill brush, extra brush head, meat thermometer, 2 steak knives and forks, 2 shakers, 8 corn holders, 4 skewers and an aluminum case.
Help Dad rep his favorite team at the beach or a tailgate with this NFL branded folding chair. The carry strap attached to the chair helps make this portable chair a must-have for any Dad on the go!
The Meater is the perfect kitchen gadget for a Dad who loves to cook meat-forward meals for a big group. It’s a smart thermometer that allows you to monitor the temperature of the meat you’re cooking up to 33 feet away from the grill, oven or rotisserie. Just download the free app and you’re all set!
Keep guests entertained all summer long with the perfect tailgate companion – a cornhole set! This set is perfect for any Dad who wants to rep his favorite NFL team.
This cooler has a capacity of 52 quarts and is the perfect option to keep the drinks cold and the tailgate guests happy. Available in multiple colors, it’s a heavy-duty option for all pregame festivity needs.
This cell phone armband case is perfect for any Dad who likes to go on walks or runs outside. His phone will stay secure and safe, and the case comes with an adjustable strap, key pocket and headphone cord holder.
Give your Dad the gift of Amazon Prime! Not only will he get access to Prime Video which will allow him to live stream his favorite sports, but he can enjoy the convenience of a fast and free delivery for online orders.
Make it feel as if your Dad is actually watching the game from the stadium of his favorite sports team. This TV Soundbar speaker will give your Dad a natural HiFi sound experience — perfect for NFL Sundays and also for family movie nights.
Give Dad the gift of wireless, high quality sound. Whether he’s working out at the gym, listening to a podcast, talking on the phone, or listening to the game, Air Pods Pro are the way to go.
Have Dad keep track of his health and fitness, and get notifications from all of his favorite sports teams with the flick of a wrist. The Apple Watch is the perfect gift for the Dads who are constantly on the go.
The Theragun is the perfect gift for the fitness loving father figure in your life. It’s compact with long lasting battery life and best of all, you can connect it to your smartphone and customize its features.
Daniel James Brown’s “The Boys in the Boat” is the true story of the American rowing team that competed at the 1936 Olympics and came away with a stunning gold. Made up of largely working-class athletes from the University of Washington, the U.S. team were some of the ultimate underdogs, making for an incredible story of human achievement.
Jackie Robinson is one of the most legendary and trailblazing figures in baseball, but his autobiography talks about so much more than his career on the field. From his time in the army to his family life to his involvement in American politics, “I Never Had It Made” gives the reader an in-depth look into one of the most famous athletes in baseball and in American history.
The perfect accessory for the MLB enthusiast looking to level-up his viewing experience. Help Dad keep the couch clean, comfy, and in style while he’s rooting for his favorite sports team.
Get the baseball ban fan in your life a mug so unique that everyone will ask him about it! This mug was handcrafted from a wooden baseball bat barrel and you can choose a design for any MLB team. Choose Dad’s favorite team and he’ll be sure to love it!
This soft fleece full zip jacket is the perfect gift for the Dad who’s a big fan of a team in the NBA. No matter what team he supports, there’s a comfortable and stylish jacket to fit his needs.
Foosball is a classic game that every Dad at any age is sure to love. This 48-inch game set is built with sturdy wood at a waist-high level and is the perfect gift for any competitive dad.
With all the blockbuster NFL trades so far in 2022, your Dad’s favorite player might be starting the season for a different team. The safest bet? A custom jersey with his name – QB1 might have left, but his loyalty to the team isn’t going anywhere, for better or worse!
