Colorado University Athletics
Women's History Month: Carly Herm Breaking Barriers In Colorado Athletics
March 29, 2021 | General
On most days, Carly Herm is just a normal employee doing her job in Colorado athletics. However, there are those moments that come around where she is reminded of the importance of all she has become with each accomplishment carrying a little extra weight.
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Herm graduated from Mississippi State University in 2015 with a Bachelor's in mathematics and went on to earn a Master's at MSU in mathematics as well. Naturally after that, Herm started a career in college athletics doing facilities and operations work.Â
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Herm first got a taste of college athletics when she interned in game operations during her graduate school years at MSU. She didn't even realize that the realm of facilities and operations in college sports existed until Ann Carr, the senior women's administrator at MSU, pointed her in the direction.
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"I think it's a line of work that isn't marketed as much as other areas," said Herm on operations. "I had no clue it existed. Unless you go through the college athlete experience, I can imagine certain areas of athletics are easy to overlook."
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It was midway through her first basketball season that she knew she wanted to go full steam ahead in college sports. After graduation, Herm made her way to Boulder to begin an internship in game operations and facilities for the Buffs. She flourished in the role and halfway through was promoted as a full-time coordinator. In the summer of 2019, she was promoted to her current position of event operations/guest relations program manager.
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The Jackson, Miss. native has been in the field for four years now and is becoming a seasoned veteran at her job. She is very trusted and well-respected by her peers, but it is a level she feels she had to work that much harder to reach.
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"I do feel there are times where I encounter the different stereotypes and misconceptions of being a woman in athletics," said Herm. "While my direct coworkers and superiors have always supported and encouraged me, I feel that I have to work harder than others for people in this field to take me seriously."
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Most days Herm's mindset is the same as her most important goal is to do her best work. She isn't a woman working in college athletics. She is simply an employee working in college athletics putting forth her greatest effort. On those days Herm isn't worried about carrying any sort of torch for women as she is just following her path. However, there are some days when Herm is reminded of what she has accomplished and embraces all she has earned in the industry as a woman.Â
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"When I have young women who are still in college reach out to me, I really try to hone in on my experience as a woman in this field and how my identity and gender integrates into my work," said Herm.
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As Herm looks to inspire and encourage young women with her career, she is reminded of those who helped guide her along the way. Herm credits every woman in Colorado athletics as inspiring her, but there is one that really stands out. Like most people who have come across the legend, Ceal Barry has been someone Herm has been extra grateful for.
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"You don't work with someone like Ceal Barry and not feel like you're standing on the shoulders of her accomplishments," said Herm on the impact Barry has had on her. "I'm grateful everyday to the women around me who have broken ceilings and overcome obstacles so that I can do what I love and inspire others to do the same."
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Representation of women in college athletics is something that has come a long way and Herm looks forward to its continued progress in the future. Her specific field of event operations from her personal experiences is one that has not attracted women at the same rate as men. She is hoping people can look at her to see all the different avenues women can get involved in college athletics.
"It's not a glamorous job by any means, it's very physically demanding and entails long, grueling hours more often than not," said Herm on a potential reason her field has not attracted as many women. "I haven't been in this field for long but it's plain to see college athletics has come a long way in having female representation, but we all know there's still a long way to go. We still lack significant representation particularly in higher administration circles and at the AD level."
Herm wasn't an athlete in high school or college and fell into her career in college athletics rather quickly, but she has been part of it now for four years and believes wholeheartedly in the importance of providing women with the chance to grow through sports.
"Sports, like most extracurriculars, are empowering and a lot of women in this country spend their whole lives searching for that feeling of empowerment," said Herm on the importance of sports. "It's a known fact that playing sports helps build confidence and a sense of belonging in athletes. Women have long been told to, 'Just be happy to be here', and haven't been able to cultivate the confidence that they belong at the table."
Herm will carry on with her job as she always has. She will work her hardest, impress those around her, and be a valuable asset to Colorado athletics. However, there will be those moments that come across that remind her of what she is doing and what it means to be doing it as a strong woman. In those moments, she will remember that people are looking up to her and she'll be able to take pride in being a role model as she knows the importance of what that can bring.
"It's hard to be what you can't see", said Herm. "It's vital that young girls see women in these positions to show them that they can achieve great things. Women in positions of power shouldn't be the exception. It should be the norm."
