FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gameday Spirit Names Illinois Women’s Gymnastics Head Coach Nadalie Walsh as 2025 Game Changer Award Winner for Women in Sports Leadership on NGWSD
Champaign, IL – February 5, 2025 – Gameday Spirit is proud to announce Nadalie Walsh, Head Coach of Illinois Women’s Gymnastics and author, as the recipient of the 2025 Game Changer Award for Women in Sports Leadership. This Game Changer Award recognizes an outstanding women leader who has made a lasting impact on women's sports through mentorship, innovation, and advocacy.
Coach Walsh, now in her eighth season at Illinois, has transformed the lives of countless female athletes through her dedication to mentorship, coaching, and leadership. A true game-changer in women’s sports, she has redefined coaching with her heart-first approach, ensuring that athletes feel valued, supported, and empowered.
Her groundbreaking leadership workbook, Enough: A Coaches Guide to Creating the Culture Every Athlete Deserves, challenges outdated “tough love” coaching methods, advocating instead for compassionate coaching that builds confidence and unlocks an athlete’s full potential. Through relatable analogies and transformative techniques, Walsh inspires coaches and athletes alike to embrace their worth and cultivate resilience both on and off the field.
“I’m thrilled to see Nadalie receive this well-deserved recognition,” said University of Illinois Gymnastics Assistant Coach Josh Nilson. “Having worked alongside her for eight years, I can confidently say that she is deeply committed to building a strong, positive culture. She prioritizes both the mental and physical well-being of her athletes, ensuring their success extends beyond the gym.”
The Game Changer Award, established to celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day, which recognizes women across the mid-west who elevate the presence and success of female athletes at all levels. Walsh was chosen from a pool of exceptional nominees and finalists, including senior sports administrators from across the BIG Ten, former professional athletes and sports executives, who continue to shape the future of women’s sports.
Finalists for the 2025 Game Changer Award:
- Cassie Arner– Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Fan Engagement, Fighting Illini Athletics
- Sara Burton – Chief Sports Officer, Senior Woman Administrator, Fighting Illini Athletics
- Shauna Green – Head Coach, Women's Basketball, Fighting Illini Athletics
- Courtney Layne Brewer – Sports Reporter, WCIA 3
- Amy Potter – Director, North American Partnerships, BMO Financial Group
The award will be presented on February 6, 2025, before the start of the University of Illinois Women’s Basketball “Women Win In Orange” game against Northwestern, in celebration of National Girls & Women in Sports Day.
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About National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD)
Held annually in February, National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) celebrates the achievements of girls and women in sports while advocating for equality in athletics. Founded in 1987 by the Women's Sports Foundation, NGWSD highlights the power of sports to inspire and empower future generations. Learn more at womenssportsfoundation.org.
About Gameday Spirit Fan Store
Celebrating Fans, Championing Gameday Spirit! Gameday Spirit Fan Store fuels the excitement of gameday by embracing the passion and pride of college sports fans. As a leader in collegiate licensed apparel, Gameday Spirit’s business spans retail, e-commerce, in-venue stadium locations, apparel production, and college team store management. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Champaign, IL, the company partners with top universities, including the University of Illinois, Indiana University, Purdue, Northwestern, Ball State, and Ohio University.
Contact:
Kayte Malik
Director of Marketing
Gameday Spirit Fanstore
Kayte.Malik@GamedaySpirit.com