ESPN’s Courtney Cronin Continues Bringing Women Together During NFL Scouting Combine
Editor’s Notes: Video co-produced by Amanda Foster (Indiana University Student) and Spencer Jackson (ESPN). Photos courtesy of Courtney Cronin.
ESPN Front Row celebrates the start of Women’s History Month with a timely story from the NFL Scouting Combine. Be sure to check out ESPN+ Fifty50 collection, containing powerful storytelling and content highlighting women in sports, as part of ESPN’s extensive WHM content.
Every February, the football world descends upon Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, the now gargantuan, who’s who of virtually everyone involved with the league’s business.
It’s quite possibly the sport’s best networking event and in recent years ESPN’s NFL Nation reporter Courtney Cronin, has made sure the Combine’s female attendees have an opportunity to mingle and yes, network.
After attending the Combine as a newly minted reporter at the beginning of her career, Cronin was craving a place where women, in similar positions to her, could come together to share advice and stories.
“I wanted to create something where I could promote fellowship and networking but also, for the younger women, a place where they could learn how to navigate the Combine from women who have been doing it for years,” said Cronin, who initiated the first “Women of the Combine Happy Hour” in February 2019 with approximately 30 attendees. “It felt – and still does feel – very organic. It’s women meeting up and hanging out in a space that is typically occupied by men.”
This past Tuesday, for the sixth year in a row (including a virtual Covid edition), over 150 (!!) women gathered at Tavern on South for the event, hosted by Cronin.
“I was blown away by the turnout,” she said. “The new faces that shuffled in over the course of the three hours was truly incredible to see.”
Even NFL owners and executives have taken notice of this grassroots event.
In 2020, and every subsequent year, Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, picked up the tab for the event.
“The Bucs’ generosity has been outstanding,” said Cronin. “Darcie is such a champion for women, so it means a lot that she supports our group and continues to play such an important role in our event expanding yearly.”
Cronin prides herself on making the event as inclusive as possible – no matter the attendee’s role or job title; if you are a woman and you are working at the Combine, you are invited.
So, when Bears owner George McCaskey, President Kevin Warren and the entire Bears PR staff expressed their desire to stop by this year, Cronin was thrilled.
“Allyship for women is so crucial,” said Cronin. “Seeing the front office of an NFL team making the time to stop by this event sends such a powerful message to all the women in attendance.”
After a long week, Cronin will put her party planning skills on the shelf and return to pursuing Bears player movement and off-season news. But next year’s event is already on her mind.
“The goal is for the Women of the Combine event to eclipse 200,” Cronin said.
