The Diva La Sports Story
'Rising Above the Challenge'
What does Diva La Sports mean and what is the significance of the butterfly? As the founder of Diva La Sports, I've been asked those questions a lot. The answers, part of our mission statement (To create educational driven media, products, and information for the advancement of female health and wellness via sports and fitness) are best told in a story.
In the fall of 2000, as a single parent of three daughters, I began writing a screenplay (now in short story book form) called ‘Butterflies’. A story of two young girls that find a magical butterfly field where they bond in their search for freedom and the true meaning of life. Butterflies is about their search, self-discovery, and of finding a true God-Given purpose in life. These two young girls develop extraordinary foot skills and speed by chasing these amazing creatures. With this 'special gift', they rise to become great soccer stars and the story centers around their “metamorphous” (growth) as female athletes, close friends, and on occasion, competitors.
The story, inspired by my youngest daughter (Mary) and one of her close soccer friends, lead me to do extensive research on the Title IX program, the Womens Sports Industry, and the amazing butterflies. With 18 years of sports media experience, I was not surprised to discover that the media exposure (or lack of) for females has not changed much since the early eighties. But, what has surprised me (even now) is that 35 years after the Title IX program enactment, female athletes are still finding themselves having to work as hard, if not harder, as the guys for achievement, but yet are still getting far less scholarships, sponsorships, and spectators (It's a double standard)... Of course, it's also fundamental logic, less media exposure leads to fewer spectators which leads to less sponsorship support which leads back to less media support . . . it’s a vicious circle that women have been fighting for years.
In 2004, I was involved in putting together a PBS TV program on the truth about Diabetes and Obesity (the twin epidemics in America today). What I learned from this experience was the true impetus for starting Diva La Sports. I learned that more women than men suffer these problems, mostly traced back to the lack of physical activity (exercise), and self esteem to do these programs, which often tracks back to the lack of sports and fitness programs at the mid teen level. **
So, what does Diva La Sports mean? Simply, 'Premier Women of Physical Activity' but perhaps more important - the cause behind the program: To teach, and develop a new mindset about female sports and fitness, one that signifies a new breed of female athlete...one that is tough and strong, not afraid to fight for her team, her rights, her dignity, yet she is wonderfully made like a beautiful butterfly...she’s colorful and agile, yet she can endure to withstand the winds of change and resistence.... ”Diva La Sports” is the new symbol of recognition and awareness for females in their 'Search for Excellence'! The winds of change are blowing ever so softly, but riding high on it's upward current are thousands of beautiful butterflies awaiting their moment in the sun...ready for takeoff...the program has begun.
So, why the ‘Butterfly’? Back in the year 2000, I was coaching my daughters 4th grade basketball team and we needed a name for the team, I suggested the 'butterflies’, only to hear the screams for ‘raptors’, ‘tigers’, even ‘cats’...but, as I explained to the girls, butterflies can fly thousands of miles, can fly higher than an eagle, can see ultra violet light not seen by the human eye, and they move in great flight patterns, not to mention the entire life changing metamorphous process. Well, we became the 'Butterflies' and the girls went on to win the league championship going undefeated, I will never forget them flapping their arms like wings for take off before each game. It was a beautiful thing to see, but now as they enter their mid teens they are being faced with tougher choices; Choices like what sport to play, how hard to compete, and the ever ongoing fight to work hard, train, and put their hearts (and bodies) on the line each time out even when their programs are being cut due to lack of support. But, the Butterfly has come out of its cocoon and is ready for take off....My mom, nor my sister, ever got to experience the trill of running down court after scoring a big basket, or running through a finish line totally spent, making the winning run, or kicking the winning penalty kick....fortunately, my youngest daughter has experienced all these, and its my hope - so will my granddaughters - more than once, and perhaps they will stand tall in the crowded, but level field of athletics, all while lifting our society to a higher standard of fairness and equality.
Diva La Sports!
**women’s sports foundation 2004/2008
Step by Step
'Rising Above the Challenge'