our mission
Fill The Stands supercharges attendance at girls’ and women’s sporting events, creating energized crowds that fuel confidence, celebration, and community.
who we are
A letter from the Founder
"Growing up in the Midwest, sports were the cornerstone of my childhood—weekends were packed with tournaments, and summers revolved around sports camps. By high school, all I wanted was to play varsity basketball, the sport I loved most."
But once I made the team and looked up at the stands, the contrast was impossible to ignore. The boys’ games were packed—standing-room-only, loud, electric. Our girls' games, though, were quiet. Just parents. Maybe the band.
“That’s just how it is,” people would say.
Even as a teenager, I could feel the difference in how our community showed up for us. At fifteen, those empty seats felt heavy. Did our efforts matter? Did our community take us seriously?
Years later, as both a parent and a journalist, I returned to my alma mater and found the same quiet stands—plus a missing freshman team. Coaches explained that too few girls were even trying out. The problem hadn’t just persisted. It had deepened. Something had to change.
That’s why I created Fill The Stands—to build a vibrant, electric culture that uplifts girls on game day and unites “grown girls” like me through a women-led volunteer network.
As I spoke with other women, I realized my experience wasn’t unique. We had all felt that silence. We had all wanted change.
So, through Fill The Stands, we’re bringing generations of female athletes together, supercharging game attendance for middle and high school sports—the critical years when girls are twice as likely to drop out as boys.
Our goal is simple: packed stands and sky-high energy. Think college or WNBA vibes—surprise guests, music that spans generations, joyful halftime moments, and a crowd that shows up and gets loud. We’re here to keep girls encouraged.
And our ultimate goal?
To make ourselves obsolete.
To make ourselves obsolete.
Because Fill The Stands isn’t just about filling seats. It’s about empowering girls to dream fearlessly. When we create standing-room-only crowds, we give them the chance to perform in full gyms, to feel the energy and support they deserve.
So when those “buzzer-beater” moments come—on the court, at work, or anywhere in life—they’ll be ready.
They’ll say: Pass me the ball. I’ve got this.
As a sports journalist dedicated to amplifying women’s stories, I believe we can flip the script on these statistics. Together, we can show these young athletes the support they deserve—and spark a movement that’s long overdue.
Game on!
Elizabeth Sweet
Founder
The FTS Team
Fill The Stands is powered by a collective of people—board members, student-athletes, volunteers, advisors, and partners—who believe every girl belongs in the stands and on the field. We are grateful to everyone who gives their time, energy, and heart to this mission.
Founder & Executive Director
Elizabeth Sweet
Elizabeth Sweet founded Fill The Stands to grow attendance and support for girls’ sports. She leverages her journalism, design, and sports experience to lead programs, partnerships, and fundraising that create meaningful opportunities for athletes to learn and grow.
Board of Directors
A family-based Board of Directors leads Fill The Stands, including Elizabeth’s parents, whose marketing and art direction backgrounds provide strategic and creative guidance.
Junior Board
High School Athletes
Composed of high school student-athletes, the Junior Board contributes their voices, ideas, and leadership to shape the future of girls’ sports. Members represent high schools across the Chicago and Milwaukee area.
Advisors
A group of experts with diverse sports and professional backgrounds provides strategic guidance to grow attendance at girls’ and women’s sporting events, expand opportunities, and broaden the reach of Fill The Stands.
Volunteers
These dedicated community members make our events, initiatives, and everyday work possible.
Community Partners
Thank you to the organizations, schools, and teams who collaborate with us to bring more girls into the stands and onto the field!
This community drives Fill The Stands, creating opportunities for girls to see themselves in the world of sports.