In honor of our recently launched Women in Flight apparel collection, we asked Alexis Cross Smith, Director of Leadership Giving and Special Projects for the Duck Athletic Fund, some questions about her experience with the Women in Flight program and the impact it is making in women’s collegiate sports.
Can you tell us a little about your role with Women In Flight?
Alexis Cross Smith: As Director of Women In Flight, I am involved with the strategic direction and major gift fundraising of this initiative. I have the great fortune of working very closely with Sam Berman and Cami Wilson, our Women In Flight coordinators and graduate students pursuing their MBA’s through the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center. Sam and Cami are the boots on the ground for Women In Flight and accomplish much of the day-to-day processes for this initiative while providing strong representation for the program in the community and among our student-athletes. Together, the three of us are dedicated to two things, raising funds and raising awareness for Oregon women’s athletics.
How do you see Women in Flight making a direct impact with female student- athletes on campus?
ACS: When asked about their experience with Women In Flight, our female student-athletes most often respond with one of three things: 1. Team building- Women In Flight is committed to supporting team-building initiatives for each women’s team on an annual basis. Whether it’s a team retreat to eastern Oregon, snow tubing at the mountain, or a pumpkin carving night during the holidays, we frequently hear stories about a team’s experience together and the significant positive impact of spending time together off the court, field, or track. 2 – Career Development – Our Women’s Symposium receives the most “buzz” among the student-athlete population. This event is a morning dedicated to the career development of female student-athletes centered around a topic of their choice, and this is a prime example of how we directly use philanthropic support of Women In Flight to directly impact the female student-athlete experience. 3 – Recognition – Although somewhat intangible, our female student-athlete frequently express their appreciation that Women In Flight exists. As a female student-athlete, it is a special experience to have a program dedicated to providing an experience above and beyond expectations and also to know there is a group of people out there who believe your time spent in athletic is valuable to you as a leader, to the community, and to the future of our world.
Are there any upcoming events with WIF that you’re excited to share with us?
ACS: We are incredibly excited about this new apparel launch with the Duck Store, which will allow Duck Fans an opportunity to wear gear that represents Women In Flight. Together, we can all be excited about celebrating the 10th anniversary of Women In Flight in 2024 in a variety of ways.
What is your message to young girls hoping to someday play a sport at the college level?
ACS: You have to love it. Love the game and love your craft but also love the way it makes you feel. Love feeling strong. Love making friends. Love doing hard things and find a way to love it even when you don’t feel like it. That’s when it becomes about more than the game. That’s when you are unstoppable.
The Women in Flight collection can be found online and in our stores now. Shop to show your support for women’s athletics at UO and beyond.