The Rise of Women’s Sports - Photo/Illustration

Influential Female Athletes

On November 8th, Middlesex welcomed back several of our alumnae, celebrating 50 years of coeducation, and with it, women’s sports. This milestone is a moment to honor not only how far the school has come, but also the people who helped shape its history: the incredible women who built the foundation of girls’ athletics at Middlesex.  

In 1974, when the first girls arrived on the Middlesex campus, field hockey was the only sport available to them. Back then, the athletes had very limited resources to work with and became front runners of the successful programs we have today. Their skills and determination laid down the foundation for future generations of athletes. Middlesex has expanded from one team to the 31 girls’ and co-ed teams that exist today. Numerous ISL and New England championships have been earned by our teams, and the alumnae athletes’ legacies continue to inspire new generations, who incorporate the same spirit and teamwork that established the program’s beginnings. 

We’re especially lucky to have several of those pioneering alumni still deeply connected to the community. This includes Laura Darby McNally ‘80, Sarah Cohane ‘95, Erika Mills ‘99, Aura Rizzo ‘07, Kathy Swain ‘08, and Maggie Kelly ‘13 who now live, teach, and coach on campus.

On a global level, women’s sports are experiencing extreme growth in viewership, investments, and advertisement. Ilona Maher particularly stands out as a revolutionary figure many girls can look up to. 

Ilona is a 29 year old rugby player from Burlington, Vermont. She won a bronze medal with Team USA at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her powerful physique and boldness allow her to be a dominating presence on the field, leading her team with strength. 

Ilona’s presence is also extremely prominent off the field, as the most followed rugby player on social media. Ilona uses her platform for good, to advocate for women in sports, body positivity, and breakthrough of gender norms in society. 

She explains how she challenges the double standard of being a female athlete and not feeling feminine enough when playing a sport, "I feel that I can be a beast and can play this very physical, aggressive sport while also keeping my femininity while I do it." 

Ilona shares struggles she overcame both as a woman and an athlete on her platforms, in hopes of inspiring and encouraging other young girls that may be in a similar situation, “I want them to be able to see themselves in me, and to show that there is a light and there is a way to go. I was also somebody who didn’t always just love my body, but I’ve grown to love my body"

Ilona Maher is praised and recognized not only for her prowess on the field, but also her ability to exceed boundaries, traditional values, and be an authentic role model girls could relate to and be inspired by. 

As we celebrate 50 years of coeducation, we also celebrate the countless stories and memories that have made Middlesex what it is today. Every student who steps onto a field, into a gym, or onto the ice is being a part of something bigger than themselves. This is proof that determination changed a school and drives every Middlesex athlete. 

Andy Ko ‘29 & Monica Liu ‘29

image by: Middlesex Instagram