Caitlin Clark's "logo" swish, records still to break, transformational leadership, three dribbles was all we got, a hometown championship, and the redemptive power of the Lady Potters
Ah, Ann, your words hit me in my heart. You and I have had so many great adventures together, and grown close through the years because of them. To hear your all-too-familiar tale from your rural American childhood in the 1950s breaks my heart for I know you would LOVED to have played sports, and you would have excelled at them. You are a leader, and for whatever role I had in spurring you to be the leader you are, well, again, my heart is the recipient of your thanks. Onward we go, together.
A big reason why I was attracted to writing a Substack was to engage in conversation with its readers, so thank you to the early birds who have shared the memories my words evoked for them and offered more suggestions about books women have written about their sports' experiences. Like you, Nathan, I root for many more! And John, as always, you found the right verb for Mulkey's entrance on to the national stage!!! And Lisa, I'm happy to lend you Dave's one-season books. I know you'd LOVE them, as I do.
I always felt cheated not playing any team sports. I grew up in rural America where sports for girls was not encouraged. Not by the schools and certainly not by mothers. Born in 1953, I grew up in an era where girls were taught sewing and cooking in high school. We were being groomed to be wives and mothers. None of us were groomed to be leaders. It wasn’t until I escaped this armpit of America (for Boston) that I learned lessons on leadership. I had opportunities there I never would have known if I stayed in the armpit of America.
Meeting you Melissa has been one of my greatest gifts. I talk of you often and share your posts on FB hoping to inspire at least one girl to take a different path. I don’t know if I’m succeeding.
Knowing you has made a difference in my life. Not only did I have opportunities to work with you over the years but I continue to learn from you with every word you write. Thank you for all you contribute to this woman stuck in the armpit of America.
Cheers for the AIAW. Here was one consequence to the NCAA finally involving itself in women's basketball: That first NCAA women's title game unleashed a player named Kim Mulkey. (I covered the game.) No comment on how that might have affected her taste in clothes.
Great stuff, as always ... I also much enjoyed "State: A Team, a Triumph, a Transformation" by Melissa Isaacson about her hooping days in 1970s Chicago. Hoping some of the hockey women of my vintage write about playing in the early days when their parent-coaches scrambled everywhere to find ice time that was not taken up by the boys. My sister would sometimes have a practice and game in two different communities on the same day. :)
I think this is your best one yet, Melissa. Loved getting the info on the AIAW records, and the Lady Potters!
Ah, Ann, your words hit me in my heart. You and I have had so many great adventures together, and grown close through the years because of them. To hear your all-too-familiar tale from your rural American childhood in the 1950s breaks my heart for I know you would LOVED to have played sports, and you would have excelled at them. You are a leader, and for whatever role I had in spurring you to be the leader you are, well, again, my heart is the recipient of your thanks. Onward we go, together.
A big reason why I was attracted to writing a Substack was to engage in conversation with its readers, so thank you to the early birds who have shared the memories my words evoked for them and offered more suggestions about books women have written about their sports' experiences. Like you, Nathan, I root for many more! And John, as always, you found the right verb for Mulkey's entrance on to the national stage!!! And Lisa, I'm happy to lend you Dave's one-season books. I know you'd LOVE them, as I do.
I always felt cheated not playing any team sports. I grew up in rural America where sports for girls was not encouraged. Not by the schools and certainly not by mothers. Born in 1953, I grew up in an era where girls were taught sewing and cooking in high school. We were being groomed to be wives and mothers. None of us were groomed to be leaders. It wasn’t until I escaped this armpit of America (for Boston) that I learned lessons on leadership. I had opportunities there I never would have known if I stayed in the armpit of America.
Meeting you Melissa has been one of my greatest gifts. I talk of you often and share your posts on FB hoping to inspire at least one girl to take a different path. I don’t know if I’m succeeding.
Knowing you has made a difference in my life. Not only did I have opportunities to work with you over the years but I continue to learn from you with every word you write. Thank you for all you contribute to this woman stuck in the armpit of America.
Cheers for the AIAW. Here was one consequence to the NCAA finally involving itself in women's basketball: That first NCAA women's title game unleashed a player named Kim Mulkey. (I covered the game.) No comment on how that might have affected her taste in clothes.
Great stuff, as always ... I also much enjoyed "State: A Team, a Triumph, a Transformation" by Melissa Isaacson about her hooping days in 1970s Chicago. Hoping some of the hockey women of my vintage write about playing in the early days when their parent-coaches scrambled everywhere to find ice time that was not taken up by the boys. My sister would sometimes have a practice and game in two different communities on the same day. :)