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Women’s college basketball is surging nationally, with the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament gaining record viewership and top athletes becoming central figures in college sports. Gymnasiums and arenas across the country are filling at higher rates than before, creating an atmosphere that will only continue to grow.
Yet inside Memorial Gymnasium, attendance patterns reflect an older reality. While men’s games routinely generate packed student sections, even for non-conference games, women’s games are often played in front of noticeably smaller crowds. Just looking at this season, Vanderbilt men’s basketball has averaged 9,201 people in attendance per home game while women’s has a much lower average of 3,844. At men’s games, the entire student section is reserved exclusively for students; at women’s games, however, only the front portion is designated for students, with much of the larger back section sold to other spectators. While this contrast is not unique to Vanderbilt alone, it is ours to address.
Across Division I athletics, men’s sports have historically drawn higher attendance than women’s, with television coverage and decades of cultural momentum shaping the imbalance. Now, however, women’s basketball is no longer fighting for visibility but instead commanding it. The growth in television ratings, media coverage and university investment for women’s basketball suggests that interest will follow if programs are given the right opportunities. Vanderbilt Athletics is contributing to this growth, launching the Anchored for Her campaign to support and invest in women’s sports.
That institutional commitment is matched by what is happening on the court. Both Vanderbilt basketball programs compete in the SEC, play in the same historic venue and have had incredible success this season. In fact, the women’s basketball team is ranked higher in the AP Poll and undefeated at home. More importantly, Vanderbilt women’s basketball is filled with generational talent, including Aubrey Galvan and Mikayla Blakes. Blakes is one of the top players in the country, leading the nation in scoring and a likely lottery pick in the WNBA draft when that time comes.
Moreover, Blakes and Galvan are in the running for national player of the year and SEC freshman of the year, respectively. To overlook this team’s talent is to miss witnessing history in the making.
Given the level of talent and success, it is clear that the barrier to attendance is not a lack of quality. And, while cost may be a barrier to students attending games at many institutions, Vanderbilt men’s and women’s basketball student tickets are completely free. This means that the difference between a full and a half-full student section is not a financial issue but a cultural one.
This does not intend to diminish the energy surrounding men’s basketball. Having a packed Memorial Gym is one of the most visible expressions of school pride on campus, and it’s something to be encouraged no matter the team. But school spirit is not a limited resource, and supporting one team does not require neglecting the other.
The attendance of students at these games is more important than just optics. A consistent presence of students creates a home-court advantage, boosts athlete morale and influences recruiting. Those who visit a game, as well as our players on the court, will notice the atmosphere.
Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball will host one more regular season home game against Alabama Feb. 26 and is also projected to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
The national rise of women’s basketball presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt to meet the excitement that is building beyond our campus. Vanderbilt students have the chance to be part of that momentum and to find pride in being a student through their participation. Most importantly, this is an opportunity for Vanderbilt students to give nationally recognized female athletes the support and encouragement they deserve.
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Matt Wilker • Feb 28, 2026 at 3:43 am CST
There are lots of female students, I notice, at the men’s games. Why do they not go to the women’s games? Since this writer, presumably, is on campus, it would seem pretty easy to canvass the students (but I’m most curious about the female students) as to why they don’t attend the women’s games. I support the women’s team (going back to the Phil Lee days) more than the men because I think it’s a better version of the sport (no, I’m not referring to pure athleticism). We’ve been begging the students to come to the games for decades now. That obviously makes no impact. Go and ask them and find out the answer. I know what it is – sexism (yes, even from the female students) but I’d be curious to find out if they’d admit that. Another commenter here, Keith, even said he attended all the men’s games but only a few of the women’s. Tell us why Keith. It has nothing to do with on court success because the years he refers to are the years when the women’s team was BETTER than the men’s team. Multiple Sweet 16s, Elite 8s and and a Final Four. The men’s team history pales in comparison, yet it’s been much more supported. Again this season, the women’s team is better!
Keith Slaughter • Feb 26, 2026 at 9:22 am CST
Let me start by saying I am 68 years old, and have been a Vandy fan since my Dad first took me to a game when I was about 9. I’ve always said Memorial Gym was like my church, and while I never missed a men’s game, I only attended a few of the bigger women’s games. Now, I don’t make the drive to Nashville anymore, but never miss a game on TV, or streaming. I love the women’s team, and am very close to being in a state where I am a bigger fan of the girls team than the men’s . Maybe its because I feel the ceiling is higher for the girls team, and I love what coach Ralph is doing with the team. I’m a big fan of Mikayla and Aub, and look forward to our continued presence among the nations best programs.
Jerry Reves • Feb 26, 2026 at 5:34 am CST
Students, please show up: not being there to support the outstanding team makes students appear apathetic and diminishes Vanderbilt’s national image of overall excellence.
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