As a woman, who is a lifelong sports fan, what a memorable weekend. For three days I watched extremely competitive, prominent level, woman’s sports events on primetime network.
Obviously, I’m referring to Friday nights Women’s Basketball Final four match ups featuring the dominant and deep University of South Carolina vs the tenacious North Carolina State, followed by the generational talent led University of Iowa vs the decades dynasty University of Connecticut.
As an older woman who was early benefactor of Title IX, and as mentioned earlier and almost 60-year fan of watching any sort of competitive athletics, I’m genuinely overwhelmed with feelings of joy, empowerment, and most importantly a sense of belonging after watching the close of the Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament.
Embed from Getty ImagesI am reflective and grateful for how incredibly far the level of exposure, respect, and appreciation has come for mainstream women’s team sports. I was authentically proud of Dawn Staley and Lisa Bluder for their coaching abilities and leadership of each of their teams and programs.
I really had to pinch myself when I saw Lisa Bluder with the headset on for the postgame show on ESPN after the Hawkeyes semi-final win, answering questions with finesse and shrewdness and a high level of authenticity.
And, with Dawn Staley being highlighted on TV throughout the second semi-final game and the intelligence, style, class that she brings every time her undefeated team takes the floor. Coach Staley is always coaching, always leading.
Saturday morning, I flipped on the TV and was immersed in watching, again on ESPN, Augusta National Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament. Saturday early afternoon live coverage of the final round.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe field featured many current college players and a few young phenoms. The leaderboard was tight and the drives and incredibly skilful shots that these young women displayed on one of the most difficult and iconic golf courses anywhere, was a pure treat to watch.
My childhood hero was Babe Didrikson Zaharias. Babe began her career playing basketball for the Employers Casualty Company in Dallas. Babe earned AAU All American status from 1930-32. In that era, women’s basketball teams barnstormed throughout the country, with a strong following that filled gymnasiums with avid spectators.
The novel, The Dustbowl Girls: The Inspiring Story of the Team that Barnstormed its way to Basketball Glory, author Lydia Reeder, provides deep insight and historical perspective of that popular era of women’s basketball.
Babe Didrikson went on to win two gold and one silver medal in track and field in the 1932 Olympics. After much acclaim and characterized as the world’s greatest woman athlete, Babe was a co-founder of the LPGA in 1950. Woman’s professional golf was in its’ infancy and Babe’s athletic prowess and high level of competitiveness brought women’s athletics to the attention of many.
In the decades of the 1930’s -50’s there were strong, successful women athletic role models who were in the spotlight and celebrated. I’m sincerely hopeful that this weekend of record setting viewership numbers of the Women’s Basketball Tournament will be the lasting springboard for the continued impactful development of all women’s athletic competitions.
I think my childhood hero, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, with a wry smile and competitive look in her eye, will be looking down and saying, “it’s about damn time”.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos