February 3, 2021, marks the 35th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day as created by the Women’s Sports Foundation. The annual celebration encourages girls to play, be active and realize their full potential through the power of sport.
Tepper Sports & Entertainment employs a number of outstanding and game-changing women who have built successful careers, paving the way for future generations and serving as role models.
On this day, we aim to spotlight those women, telling their stories and celebrating their successes.
KARYN LATTORE | CHARLOTTE FC, HEAD ACADEMY TRAINER
Did you play sports growing up?
Yes, I played soccer. My family tells me that I played since I was five, but I remember it getting serious in 6th grade when I played for school and a club team. Thanks to [my playing] I got a scholarship, so I moved to the U.S. to play in college.
What is a lesson you learned playing sports that you still apply in life today?
Many, but the most important one would be perseverance. Back in my playing days, I missed PKs, lost games, even tournaments, but the sport taught me to continue working hard to achieve my goals. Now life throws at me more complicated things than just missing PKs, but thanks to those past experiences, and despite the difficulties, I keep fighting back.
How would you explain the value of having more women working in the sports industry?
I hope it eventually ends the stereotype that we can’t be part of male-dominant industries. The mentality will keep changing, and it would be a normal thing. I remember when I started playing soccer at home; “it’s not a female sport, I should pick another one,” they said. Now more and more girls are playing, leagues are getting stronger, the national team is qualifying for World Cups and they even have a professional women’s league. That’s the change that I want to keep helping with.
What has been the most rewarding project that you’ve worked on at TSE?
I am fairly new at TSE and I haven’t got into projects yet, but I know it will be very rewarding to see any of my current athletes turn professional and play for the first team next year.
What is your approach to dealing with adversity when you face a challenge?
I face it, then I learn from it, but I don’t let it drag me down. I think the secret is to move on quickly; get your head up, pass the page and keep going!
How do you manage the time commitment of working long hours and weekends in sports?
By now it is natural, and you learn it from playing sports, too. Many can relate to seeing their friends making weekend plans, but those that are in sports know that weekends are game days. Now it’s similar, my friends keep making weekend plans, but now it’s not me that is playing but my athletes, so my weekends are still game days. It’s brilliant!
If you were creating a pre-game playlist, what would be the one song that must be on it?
“Hall of Fame” — The Script
TAYLOR BANNER | CHARLOTTE FC, GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Did you play sports growing up?
I started playing tee-ball and basketball when I was four. In high school, I played softball, basketball, and ran cross country and track. I was recruited to play basketball and softball at the Division III level, but committed to Emory & Henry College’s softball program where I started as a pitcher for four years.
What is a lesson you learned playing sports that you still apply in life today?
I really appreciated that growing up, my parents encouraged my sister and me to be a part of a team sport. I think that instilled a “we” is greater than “me” mentality early on. In college, that value continued to be at the forefront, but I also learned a great deal about time management, consistency, and working with different personalities through sports that are applicable in all facets of professional and personal life.
How would you explain the value of having more women working in the sports industry?
I think it boils down to there being undeniable value in diversity. Equality and inclusion have importance beyond checking a box. Both provide uniqueness and innovation. Giving voice to minorities, whether based on gender, race, ethnicity, etc., brings in fresh ideas and perspectives to an industry that’s constantly evolving.
What has been the most rewarding project that you’ve worked on at TSE?
The last thing I thought I would be able to say I was a part of at this point in my life and career is that I had the privilege to be involved with an awesome team of people that launched a completely new sports team and brand to the world with Charlotte FC. Those aren’t opportunities that come around often, and it may sound cliché, but I feel really blessed to have experienced that.
What is your approach to dealing with adversity when you face a challenge?
It’s not always easy to solve a problem, but I’ve found that communication with all parties involved and being able to provide suggested solutions can help move things forward with fewer pain points. I also lean on my teammates. We’re all working toward the same goal for the same organization at the end of the day.
How do you manage the time commitment of working long hours and weekends in sports?
I honestly don’t feel like I do sometimes, haha. I think the best thing I’ve learned over the years is to have boundaries for overcommitting myself and that prioritizing mental health and life outside work is necessary. Surrounding yourself with people who support you and get the commitments that come with your career is also important. I love what I do and the people I get to work with. To me, that makes the long hours and busy season fun and worth it.
If you were creating a pre-game playlist, what would be the one song that must be on it?
“Hypnotize” by Biggie Smalls or “Juice” by Chance the Rapper.
[INSERT PHOTO COLLAGE OF WOMEN IN SPORTS AND TSE WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM]
