National Girls & Women in Sports Day is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of February. This day is dedicated to recognizing female athletic achievements and promoting opportunities for girls in sports.

Today, the NMU Athletics Department is celebrating girls and women, both past and present, to honor the achievements of women in sports, acknowledge the impact of sports participation, and advocate for equality and inclusion for girls in athletics.

MARQUETTE, Mich. – For Jenny Ryan, sports have always been more than a career or a pastime — they are a way of life.

From competing as an athlete to developing young women as a coach, Ryan has built her world around guiding others to reach their full potential, both on the course and off. For her, athletics isn't just about records or finishes; it's about the confidence, resilience, and life skills that come from dedication, teamwork, and leadership.

Ryan was named Northern Michigan's head cross country coach in 2007 and has led the track & field program since 2014-15. Over her tenure, she has guided Wildcats teams to top finishes, helped athletes earn All-GLIAC and All-Region honors, and fostered academic excellence with repeated USTFCCCA All-Academic Team recognition. 

But for Ryan, the accomplishments on paper are secondary to the impact she has on the lives of her athletes.

"Women in Sports Day means a lot to me, as sports are what my life has been built around," Ryan said. "Everything I have done in my life has been shaped by the sports I have competed in and coached. Sports have given me the opportunity to become someone I never thought possible." 

"As an athlete, I had the chance to compete, travel, and meet so many wonderful people. I also gained the confidence to move ahead in life and help others become who they were meant to be. As a coach, I've been able to work with and develop so many incredible young women to become strong and successful — not only in their sport, but more importantly in their lives."

For Ryan, the foundation of that success goes back to her own experiences as a young athlete. 

"I realized that sports would play an important role when I was in 6th grade. I was a very quiet and shy young girl, but it was in sports that I gained the confidence, self-esteem, and belief in myself in everything I did."

Those early lessons shaped her approach as a coach, inspiring her to be a positive role model for the young women she mentors. 

"I try to model hard work, dedication, a positive attitude, and confidence to help the young women I coach become strong, independent women who believe in themselves as they continue into their future."

Ryan also emphasizes the importance of support among colleagues. She sees coaching not as a solitary role, but as part of a network of women dedicated to lifting each other up.

"I appreciate that the women I coach alongside are supportive and respectful of each other and genuinely want all women in this profession to succeed."

That sense of purpose carries over into her mission as a female coach in a male-dominated profession.

"There are very few women coaches in my sport, and I hope that I am modeling to young women that it is possible to be a coach at this level and do well and be respected."

Ryan credits her own family with laying the groundwork for her lifelong dedication to athletics.

"I want to thank my parents, because they were supportive of everything I did in sports, and they are the ones who gave me the opportunity to try every sport I wanted to when I was young. They were at every game, race, and event that I was a part of throughout my entire career. They traveled long distances just to watch and support me."

Reflecting on her career, Ryan sees Women in Sports Day as more than a celebration of competition — it is an acknowledgment of the progress women continue to make in sports. She views it as a way to honor both the athletes and the coaches who help pave the way.