Q&A with Tulane's Jana Woodson
Aug 5, 2022 | General
TulaneGreenWave.com will feature female administrators throughout the course of the 2022-23 school year as part of its 50th Anniversary of Title IX celebration. Jana Woodson, Tulane's Deputy Athletic Director for External Relations, took part in our second installment. Our questions and her answers are below.
When did sports first become part of your life?
I started playing sports at a young age in youth sports with softball, basketball, bowling and volleyball. I have attended and watched many sporting events with my father since I was little, it being our bond and way to spend time together, which I'm happy to say, we still do today. My grandfather was an avid bowler and I wanted to be just like him as a young girl, so I had many instances of sports shaping my life from an early age.
Which women have had the greatest impact on your career to this point?
There are so many great people who have impacted my career along the way. The women who helped shape my vision of sports were probably my AAU and college softball coaches. They showed me, at a younger age, how to lead in athletics, as a woman, and how being athletic and tenacious were not bad traits. When I wanted to pursue a career in sports when few women did at the time, their example showed me it was possible. Overall, the two women who have had the greatest impact on my career would be my mother and sister. Even though they don't play themselves, the constant and overall support they provide me daily, since I was young, has allowed me to dream and achieve my career goals.
Serena Williams. Ronda Rousey. Sue Bird. Dawn Staley.
The progress that has been made since the inception of Title IX has produced groundbreaking change in our society. However, much more still seems possible. What steps would be most beneficial in continuing to move this effort forward?
There are many needs in this area and much work to still be done. To name a few, I think increased media coverage, as well as the growth of female youth sports, can continue to move the effort forward. Additionally, the increase of women in lead roles within sports, such as head coaches, executives and forward-facing decision-making roles will show society the importance of women's sports and women leading in sports. We must be intentional in making these hires. Lastly, the need for increased spending and funds dedicated to girls and women's sports is needed for the gap to close.
In your current capacity at Tulane, you oversee all of the Green Wave's external efforts and bring more than 16 years of marketing experience to that role. Aside from ever-changing technology, what changes have you seen in the promotion of women's sports over the course of your career?
I think the biggest change over my time in sports has been the increased voice of women athletes, which is great and so welcomed. It has, in turn, increased the focus and media coverage of women's athletics. Now, we still have much room to improve in these areas, but I'm hopeful that with the power of the athletes' voices and those in leadership roles listening, we can continue to increase the promotion, attendance and focus on women in sports.
