The Feb. 4 broadcast, featuring Elon University’s women’s basketball team hosting Campbell University, was staffed entirely by women.
In the moments leading up to Sunday’s all-female Elon Sports Vision broadcast, play-by-play announcer Katie Bennert ’24 admitted her emotions began to swell.
Looking around the pregame meeting ahead of tipoff, the journalism and sport management double major was surrounded by female colleagues and realized she’s witnessed – and been a prominent figure of – the organization’s cultural shift.
“When I started broadcasting at Elon, I was the only woman on-air in a room full of men,” Bennert said. “I am so proud that I am no longer the only woman in the room and that there can be a day where every position is filled by a woman. That is why this day means so much to me. I couldn’t have dreamed of that – even a year ago.”
In recognition of National Girls & Women in Sports Day – formally celebrated this year on Feb. 7 – Elon Sports Vision featured a crew entirely staffed by women for its Feb. 4 broadcast between the Elon women’s basketball team and Campbell University. The idea mimics an initiative hosted annually by FOX Sports, and Claire Geary felt compelled to bring it to Elon’s campus when she arrived last summer as Elon Sports Vision’s coordinating producer.
Photos of the broadcast are available on the school’s Flickr account.
“I’ve always admired what FOX Sports accomplishes every year,” Geary said. “So, when I got to Elon, I took a look at my roster and I realized we could accomplish the same thing here. It’s even cooler that we can accomplish this at a Group of 5 school.”
Geary leaned on a talented crew of female contributors that handled everything from cameras and sideline reporting to audio and replays. The broadcast was led by director by Abby Selikoff ’26, who Geary called “the obvious pick to direct.” Geary cited Selikoff’s work as a graphics operator during the football season for creating a strong working relationship between the two of them.
“When I’m selecting directors and technical directors, it’s just as important as picking on-air talent,” Geary said. “I need a strong co-pilot who I can navigate the show with and can handle high-pressure moments.”
As Geary prepared to staff the announcer roles – both play-by-play and color analyst – she immediately contacted Grace Stetler ’26 and Bennert, who is WSOE’s first-ever female sports director. Bennert also holds the distinction of being the first female to call both men’s and women’s basketball games for Elon Sports Vision, and she’s the first female to be on-air for Elon football with LEARFIELD.
“Katie is worthy of her own story,” Geary said. “She has accomplished so much during her time on campus, and she has played such a large role in the success of our broadcasts.”
While just a sophomore, Stetler has already established herself as a valuable member of Elon Sports Vision, serving as producer of “Inside the Nest,” a show highlighting Elon Athletics. During the fall, Stetler conducted an insightful interview with Director of Athletics Jennifer Strawley, which earned high praise from Geary.
“Grace impressed me with her raw talent in the fall, so I wanted to give her the chance to shine on a bigger stage,” Geary said.
In total, 16 females held on-air and production roles during the Elon-Campbell broadcast. While admittedly the group is young – with several first- and second-year students – Geary sees tremendous potential already.
The coordinating producer singled out several up-and-coming contributors, acknowledging Ella Smith ’26 and her versatility, Lauren Winslow ’27 and her enthusiasm to learn, and Katelyn Miller ’27 and her willingness to take on new tasks. A full list of crew members is listed below.
Bennert echoed Geary’s sentiments about Smith’s strong work with a handheld camera during the game, which was streamed on FloSports, an over-the-top subscription streaming service.
“It’s one of the hardest jobs because you have to be steady and have to be aware of everything on the floor and still get all the best shots,” the senior said. “And I think that Ella did a fabulous job.”
In recent years, Elon Sports Vision has seen a steady uptick in female participation. Of Geary’s 69 student employees, 18 are female. “It proves that representation from the top-down matters,” she said, noting that she hopes to be a resource for young women in the program.
“The representation is fantastic for all parties involved,” Geary added. “It’s a welcoming environment for female students to join and grow at ease. ESV is a place where growing is encouraged and falling on your face is expected, and having a space where that feels safe is crucial for retention and leadership opportunities. As for the industry as a whole, the future is bright and we have a chance to level out the playing field – one broadcast at a time.”
Broadcast crew
Abby Selikoff – Director
Claire Geary – Producer
Katie Bennert – Play-by-play
Grace Stetler – Color analyst
Lizzie Kuebler – Sideline reporter
Annie Thyfault – Replay 1
Landrey Messick – Replay 2
Grace Millsz – Audio
Lauren Winslow – Camera 1
Katelyn Miller – Camera 2
Ella Smith – Camera 3
Michaela Willams – Camera 4
Ellie Reasbeck – Bug operator
Mia Zebley – Font operator
Ilana Boyer – Utility
Abby Waeltz – Utility
About Elon Sports Vision
Elon Sports Vision partners with Elon Athletics to broadcast and live stream university sports events at an ESPN-quality level. Students gain immersive and hands-on experience with Elon’s NCAA Division I Athletic Department in live broadcasting, content creation, sports business and marketing, in-venue productions, and studio shows. Elon Sports Vision also includes student-produced “Inside the Nest,” a sports magazine show, and “One on One Sports,” a sports debate talk show.