[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#2c2c54″ background_image=”https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0304-freirich-competition-featured.jpg” background_position=”top_center” custom_padding=”|1px|299px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1280px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”60px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”78a0e865-3606-407d-81ca-ffa3ed9d57a8″ title_text_color=”#ECECEC” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_heading title=”Polar Athletics” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”78a0e865-3606-407d-81ca-ffa3ed9d57a8″ title_text_color=”#ECECEC” scroll_fade_enable=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1280px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”60px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#16264a” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”0fdbd4eb-a4ba-44cc-902c-48a3f18fe1c2″ text_font=”Poppins|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#ECECEC” link_text_color=”#16264a” custom_padding=”||0px|||” scroll_fade_enable=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
<\/span>In October of 2024, I founded Polar Athletics, a company committed to elevating girls and women’s sports by providing female players with properly fitting equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ECECEC” custom_margin=”||-23px|||” custom_padding=”40px||31px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1280px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-27-at-9.15.55-PM.png” title_text=”Screenshot 2026-08-27 at 9.15.55\u202fPM” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|0px||||” scroll_fade_enable=”on” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”100px|5%|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0%|||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px|0%|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”My Story” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”c64298cc-e466-459e-88fa-66415f056e91″ title_text_color=”#2C2C54″ title_font_size=”34px” scroll_fade_enable=”on” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#16264a” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”daaf9407-4477-45c2-8238-b9f4c4ed03ec” text_font=”Poppins|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#2C2C54″ link_text_color=”#16264a” header_text_color=”#2C2C54″ scroll_fade_enable=”on” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span>I\u2019ve been playing hockey since I was four years old. It\u2019s been a lifelong passion that has taught me countless life skills.<\/p>\n Starting in middle school, finding gear that fit properly became a constant struggle. It wasn\u2019t just uncomfortable, it was unsafe. My teammates shared the same frustrations. Most hockey equipment was bulky, ill-fitting, and clearly not made with the female body in mind.<\/p>\n When I realized that nearly all hockey equipment is designed for the male body type, I decided I would design my own. Not just for me, but for the hundreds of thousands of female athletes facing the same challenges.<\/p>\n That\u2019s how Polar Athletics was born, a brand dedicated to creating customizable, anatomically designed equipment for female athletes.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ECECEC” custom_margin=”-8px|||||” custom_padding=”16px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1280px” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”100px|5%||5%|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0%||0%|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”0px|0%||0%|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”My Approach & Contributions” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”c64298cc-e466-459e-88fa-66415f056e91″ title_text_color=”#2C2C54″ title_font_size=”34px” scroll_fade_enable=”on” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#16264a” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”daaf9407-4477-45c2-8238-b9f4c4ed03ec” text_font=”Poppins|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#2C2C54″ link_text_color=”#16264a” custom_margin=”||62px|||” scroll_fade_enable=”on” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n At Polar, I lead with firsthand experience and a deep understanding of what female players truly need. I\u2019m involved in every step, from early prototyping and market research to brand design, customer outreach, and pitch deck creation. I\u2019ve interviewed dozens of players, collaborated with teammates, and consulted with equipment designers and engineers to build something that finally prioritizes girls and women\u2019s performance, comfort, and protection.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1740503720299-1.jpeg” title_text=”1740503720299″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|-45px||||” scroll_fade_enable=”on” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0304-freirich-competition-thumbnail.jpg” title_text=”0304-freirich-competition-thumbnail” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” scroll_fade_enable=”on” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-11.21.08-AM.png” title_text=”Screenshot 2025-08-04 at 11.21.08 AM” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” scroll_fade_enable=”on” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1280px” min_height=”170.4px” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”100px|5%||5%|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0%||0%|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”0px|0%||0%|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Pitch Deck Design” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”c64298cc-e466-459e-88fa-66415f056e91″ title_text_color=”#2C2C54″ title_font_size=”34px” scroll_fade_enable=”on” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_heading title=”I designed Polar\u2019s investor pitch decks to communicate the brand, market opportunity, product concepts, and business strategy.” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Poppins|300|||||||” title_font_size=”14px” custom_margin=”-17px|||||” scroll_fade_enable=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”12px||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_slider _builder_version=”4.27.9″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||458px|||” scroll_fade_enable=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_slide _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” 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_builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”c64298cc-e466-459e-88fa-66415f056e91″ title_text_color=”#2C2C54″ title_font_size=”34px” custom_margin=”-39px|||||” scroll_fade_enable=”on” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-52px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”||55px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_slider _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”25px” background_image=”https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0304-freirich-competition-featured.jpg” custom_button=”on” min_height=”545.1px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_slide heading=”Polar Athletics captures top prize at 2026 Freirich Entrepreneurship Competition” button_text=”Read more here” button_link=”https:\/\/www.skidmore.edu\/news\/2026\/0303-freirich-competition.php” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”25px” header_letter_spacing=”0px” custom_button=”on” button_bg_color=”#2C2C54″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”][\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”2025 NYBPC Final Results” button_text=”Read more here” button_link=”https:\/\/nybpc.org\/news\/2025-05-02-2025-nybpc-final-results” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-12.49.16-PM.png” background_enable_image=”on” custom_button=”on” button_bg_color=”#2C2C54″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”][\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”2025 Prototyping Cohort Launches with Momentum” button_text=”Read more here” button_link=”https:\/\/crea.cornell.edu\/rev-ithaca-startup-works\/2025-prototyping-cohort-launches-with-momentum\/” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2645-scaled.jpg” background_enable_image=”on” custom_button=”on” button_bg_color=”#2c2c54″ custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Rev Ithaca Startup Works<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Contact Form & Info” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#2C2C54″ custom_padding=”51px||1px|||” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”600px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Let’s Work Together!” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”d9534c3c-f413-4872-acbd-6a751e7c6f6a” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#ECECEC” scroll_fade_enable=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”c9b77e8a-6822-4d45-bbfd-e235db7fc455″ text_text_color=”#ECECEC” header_text_color=”#2C2C54″ text_orientation=”center” width=”94.1%” custom_margin=”|-121px||21px||” custom_padding=”|3px||||” scroll_fade_enable=”on” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span>We are looking for proactive team members, mentors, designers, and anyone who shares our vision of making sports safer and more inclusive for the next generation of girls.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#2C2C54″ custom_padding=”33px||43px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-26px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/polar-athletics\/?viewAsMember=true” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”LinkedIn” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”20px” button_text_color=”#EBEBEB” button_bg_color=”#2C2C54″ button_border_width=”1px” button_border_color=”#EBEBEB” button_border_radius=”6px” scroll_fade_enable=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSe5pGPvZf3EQKgWct8w2pb2j_5p57xusNat4GmSFADL2OhISw\/viewform?usp=header” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Collaborate” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#EBEBEB” button_bg_color=”#2C2C54″ button_border_width=”1px” button_border_color=”#EBEBEB” button_border_radius=”6px” scroll_fade_enable=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In October of 2024, I founded Polar Athletics, a company committed to elevating girls and women’s sports by providing female players with properly fitting equipment.I\u2019ve been playing hockey since I was four years old. It\u2019s been a lifelong passion that has taught me countless life skills. Starting in middle school, finding gear that fit properly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-699","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/699","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=699"}],"version-history":[{"count":74,"href":"https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/699\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1642,"href":"https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/699\/revisions\/1642"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ljcryer.domains.skidmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}