Changing the Game for Women – Janice Masters ’04 

Janice Masters ’04 found her place at Bethany College through athletics, leadership, and community, all experiences that continue to shape her professional and personal journey today. A Sports Management major, Janice recalls her time on campus as one filled with connection, from long softball bus trips to Phi Mu nights at the house. The relationships built with her teammates and sorority sisters remain some of her most meaningful memories and confirmed that Bethany was truly the right place for her.

Following graduation in 2004, Janice remained at Bethany as a Graduate Assistant while earning her master’s degree at West Virginia University. She later relocated to Pittsburgh, where she spent more than 15 years building a successful career at the intersection of sports and business. During that time, she established herself as a leader in the marketing industry while simultaneously competing at the professional level in both softball and women’s tackle football, demonstrating a rare commitment to excellence on and off the field. 

Janice’s dual passions ultimately led her to become a Partner and Director of Client Services at a full-service marketing firm in Pittsburgh, while also stepping into national leadership in sports as Commissioner of the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC) beginning in 2019. Following the sale of the marketing firm in 2024, she shifted her focus entirely to the WNFC, where she now serves as Commissioner and General Manager. In this role, Janice is dedicated to accelerating equity for women and girls in sports through the power of football and creating sustainable opportunities at every level of the game. 

Now residing in Pittsburgh with her family, Janice remains deeply engaged in her community, regularly participating in and promoting local events. She also hosts and leads coaching and player clinics for adult women and young female athletes, expanding access, visibility, and opportunity for women in sports. 

Janice continues to stay connected to Bethany by returning to campus annually for Homecoming and participating in panels and campus events whenever possible. In 2024, she attended Bethany’s Women & Leadership event, an experience she describes as both impactful and inspiring. Reflecting on the event, she encourages both students and alumni to attend, noting the value of shared stories, mentorship, and meaningful connections across generations of Bethanians. 

Looking back, Janice believes the friendships formed at Bethany are among the most enduring aspects of her experience. “The relationships I built with fellow students, teammates, and alumni are ones I will always cherish,” she shares. “Even as I meet alumni I didn’t overlap with on campus, I’m reminded how much we all share through the traditions, experiences, and memories that tie us back to Bethany.”