Keeley Davis’ Lessons from the Game of Ice Hockey: Play for something greater than yourself

Keeley Davis started playing ice hockey at age 5. Throughout elementary school and junior high, she was the only girl on the team. When she tried out for the AA boys team at age 9, she began to understand what she represented – not just on the ice but to the adults in the room. “I overheard a parent say, ‘A girl took my son’s spot on the boys team.’ And at that moment I knew I was playing for something greater than myself.”

Davis earned a spot among the boys on that AA team and later played AAA ice hockey for the all-girl National team that pulled from other boys teams in the midwest. She went to play on women’s teams at Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Now, as the senior lead for TeamSnap’s Brand Solutions team, the lessons she learned on the ice continue to serve her.

How have sports influenced you – personally and professionally?
It’s a male-dominated world – both in sport and business. Playing hockey through the years among boys taught me that girls are equally as qualified to be in the same arena among male counterparts.

Hockey also taught me how to be resilient, how to overcome other people’s objections and persevere to follow my passion – and that girls do belong.

What advice do you have for girls who play sports?
Don’t let anyone decide whether or not you belong – you decide your fate. Use other people’s objections as fuel to achieve your dreams.

Dive deeper into empowering girls in sports with our latest blog post, filled with valuable tips and resources to keep girls in the game. Check it out here.