- Loading...
- No images or files uploaded yet.
|
|
Shes Got GameShe’s Got ‘Game’
(Originally posted as the 543-word document resulting from editing by "The Mad Slasher" - 2008 March 10)
I fell in love with the ‘game’ 50 years ago on an uneven dirt surface with a makeshift backboard in a church parking lot. The excitement and energy ‘game’ generated, before, after, and sometimes ‘during’ church services was contagious. Then two of my grade school teachers started coaching the ‘game’ in the gymnatorium after school. Due to my very short stature and high energy level, I was given the elite position of a ‘rover’…and my life changed!
The rules then for girl’s basketball allowed a maximum of three dribbles at a time. Teams played with six girls on court for each team, two shooting forwards playing only on their team’s offense side of the court; two defensive guards playing only defense on the other side; and two rovers playing the entire court. I felt important playing BOTH sides of the court.
It was one of the most powerful experiences of my life, stealing the ball from an opponent almost every time I wanted it. (It was really quite easy to do since at full stance I was eye level with the ball.) However, the glowing accolades and positive reinforcements from coaches I idolized convinced me early to see my small stature as a plus, even a gift.
My passion for the ‘game’ continued through high school. I played afternoon games whenever the boys’ teams had night games since they were not using the gym for practice on those days. We wore their old oversized uniforms, smelly pennies and old equipment. Afterwards, we stayed to cheer for their games. Eventually the PE teachers nicknamed me ‘gym rat’, since I practically lived there, helping them whether they needed it or not and playing ‘horse’ with anyone that would venture in the gym after school.
My parents eventually started leaving my dinner and clothing needs at the gym’s side door in the afternoons. Occasionally we had special Saturdays when the GAA (Girls Athletic Association) would have Play Days when different schools met to compete in sporting events for ribbons. I loved wearing my team ribbons, sweat clothes and tennis shoes in public like a ‘badge of honor’ even though it was not considered very lady-like or cool.
I decided to major in Health and Physical Education in college, playing basketball, tennis, cheering and doing intramurals on the side. This decision was ‘a major disappointment’ to my dad, since I vividly remember him saying, “Doodle, you’ve ‘played’ all your life, you certainly don’t need to ‘major’ in it, get a degree in something where you can get a job.”
Title IX changed everything in 1972, requiring schools to give women sports scholarships, regular practice/game times, coaches, budgets, and uniforms that actually fit! In fact, today, largely due to Title IX, GTCC is adding the ‘game’ to our new athletic program this fall.
‘Game’ for women has come a long, long way in the past 50 years. The self-esteem, determination, team concepts and sheer perseverance I gained from playing and coaching never left me. Now with 33 years in the profession, and having the privilege of starting the Physical Education program at GTCC 25 years ago, I could not imagine being denied the opportunity of ‘game.’ For many of us former ‘gym rats,’ it’s a way of life.
Debbie Allison
Chair, Physical Education Department
|
Anonymous
Create an account or Log in
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.