Alysa Auriemma on 2016 IMPACT25 honoree UConn women's basketball

[Kaizen]

For every moment of greatness, however, there seems to be an equal amount of backlash. This year, more than ever, there seemed to be signs of dissent from every corner. Is this good for the game? Is it boring to watch? Is it something we should be concerned about? These questions hardly ever get asked when it occurs on the men's side of a sport. I don't think anyone witnessed the dynastic runs of the New York Yankees or the tear the Chicago Bulls went on in the late '90s and thought to themselves, "Yeah, but is this good for baseball?" The fact that we still have to deal with these questions tells us that we aren't done yet with our quest to make women's sport as respected, visible and equalized as men. I'd like to think the success of the UConn women has done a lot to increase the visibility of the game and, of course, with that comes dissenters. But I think my Dad would say, cheekily, "At least they're talking about us."

Alysa Auriemma on 2016 IMPACT25 honoree UConn women's basketball