Moving the Margins: Kinship in Sports....Thank you, Regis Jesuit HS

Talking and writing about women's sports isn't always easy. The fight for equal access, opportunity and attention to the women's game is on-going. It often feels like a battle. While we celebrate over 50 years of Title IX and the efforts that female athletes like Billie Jean King led toward equal pay, the struggle remains real. For example, NIL and its affect on college sports—who is getting the money and why—add a new  and pressing challenge. However, I recently led a conversation on the state of sport for women. My session at Regis Jesuit High School in Denver was one of many dynamic and important breakout sessions at their 20th annual Diversity Day. I left feeling energized and hopeful. I mean it when I said, "it was fun." Victory.

As written on Regis Jesuit's website, 

Our theme for this year comes from the Jesuit Universal Apostolic Preferences #2 and #4: Care for the Common Home / Walking with the Excluded. The theme: “For the Greater Glory of All God’s Diverse Creation” is a call to kinship. To be in Kinship with our community – to recognize that we “belong to each other” is to recognize that we are interconnected.

And that definition drove my title: Moving the margins, Kinship in Sports.

I began with profiling RJ alumna, Fran Belibi '19 to illustrate we really are interconnected. Belibi is the first female high school player in Colorado to dunk the ball during game play. I heard about her because the principal of the school is a close friend and passionate about basketball. Knowing my love of Sports and Spirituality, he shared Belibi's remarkable story. I recommend reading it here.

Not only did she start playing basketball later in life, her parents weren't excited about this idea.  Believe you me when I say her story is atypical, or as she would say "miraculous." Through Fran Belibi, I learned why it's uncommon for women to dunk. I had no idea.

Belibi matriculated to Stanford University. Though I live fairly close to Palo Alto, I don't consider myself to be a fan of the Cardinal. That is, until two of my former students, the Begovich brothers made the men's basketball team. 

Through both Daniel and Neal, I paid more attention to the Stanford hoops. When the women made it to the finals in the 2001 National Championship, Daniel told me specifics about the team. He knew the players and told me how supportive their programs were of one another. Because he cared, I cared. We belong to each other. I have always had great respect for the women's coach, Tara VanDerveer and knowing that one of their players came from Regis Jesuit made it that much more fun to watch and celebrate. We are interconnected. Kinship.

But the story doesn't end here. I took my Sports and Spirituality class on a field to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art for the exhibit "Get in the Game: Sports, Art and Culture." Upon checking in, we encountered the work of the cartoonist and graphic novelist, Gene Luen Yang. His illustration of "Bay Area Hoops" featured the stories of Steph Curry, Jeremy Lin and Fran Belibi. Reading her panel brought me back to the article that I first read on the Regis Jesuit website, FRAN BELIBI ’19: SUCCESS THROUGH FAITH AND SCIENCE.  It speaks of Love and Basketball—her love of God and ultimately kinship.

During the 45 minute session, I asked the students What makes kinship hard. What gets in the way? Why have we forgotten that we belong to each other. Is it the nature of athletics? Is it fear? Fear that focusing on being with the other will take away from the other? Or, fear that there isn’t enough to go around? 

I said to them, "I want to know, Are we unable to appreciate differences for what they are?" And I wonder, To what degree has our society and everyday norms act as systems of oppression and marginalization?  Might they have had more of an impact than we know/realize?

Student responses were varied and thoughtful. While many spoke to the questions I raised, others mentioned our human nature and the unredeemed part of ourself that put our wants and needs first/at the expense of others.

The shared introspection was meaningful. Although challenging and difficult, we did not conclude the conversation here. I pivoted to two sets of trivia questions. Each one invites some insight into the forces and norms that have challenged interconnection—past and present. Those who were able to answer these questions correctly got a WNBA trading card (I got the idea from this work of art at the SFMoMA exhibit). It was awesome to see how excited they were to receive something shiny, new and interesting!

My next post will include both the answers to these trivia questions and suggestions for how we can move the margins and live out kinship. 

Congratulations to Regis Jesuit for an inspiring, important, inclusive and Diversity Day. This dynamic gathering doesn't happen without the hard work, servant leadership and kinship of the faculty, staff and student body. Go Raiders! 

These questions are True or False:

• During Medieval times (500-1500 AD) women were forbidden from playing in sport. 
• According to historian William Baker, nearly all modern sports have their roots in the play of medieval peasants.
• In the early 20th Century, Catholic Church leaders expressed concern that sports sexualized women’s bodies and that sports could take away from women’s natural role as mothers.
• Pope John Paul II’s teaching on the “Theology of the Body” speaks to a positive appreciation on for the central role of sport, recreation, exercise and play for the  development of a person’s mind and spirit. He proclaimed this as true for women only.

Take a guess:

• Name the two fastest growing sports for females in the U.S.
• Can you name a professional female athlete who is a mom?
• Is Pope Francis a sports fan? If so, of what sport?
• He speaks and write about the Culture of Encounter.  What might this mean in sport?
• Name three WNBA teams. How many are there?

A Story to Celebrate on International Women's Day: The San Diego Splash

The month of March has been designated as Women's History month and March 8 is International Women's Day. If you are on social media, no doubt you were reminded and/or made aware of this celebration. But what exactly does it all mean? In other words, what are we to do with a day that has grown in popularlity and public recognition? How are we to proceed with a month that Americans are ever more familiar with and supportive of? It's not a major holiday or a minor one. Here's my approach: share a story. 

First, I'll begin with a story. I decided I would search for answers to my question on ChatGPT. I figured why not? That's where many of my students find their own. I asked this chatbot, developed by OpenAI "What does International Women's Day mean?" I got a good answer.

It is a day dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the achievements, contributions, and advancements of women worldwide. The day also serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality and the need to address challenges and disparities that women face.

In particular, I appreciated the key aspects and meanings of International Women's Day. I think these suggestions can serve as an important path for proceeding. 

Celebrating Achievements: IWD provides an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of women in various fields, including politics, science, arts, business, and more. It highlights their contributions to social, economic, cultural, and political development.

Advocacy for Gender Equality: International Women's Day is a platform for advocating gender equality and promoting equal opportunities for women in all aspects of life. It draws attention to persisting gender disparities and works towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable world.

Raising Awareness: The day serves as a catalyst for raising awareness about issues such as gender-based discrimination, violence against women, and systemic inequalities. It encourages conversations and actions to address these challenges.

Inspiring Change: International Women's Day inspires individuals and communities to take action towards creating a more inclusive and gender-equal world. This can involve challenging stereotypes, supporting women's rights, and promoting policies that advance gender equality.

Empowering Women: IWD is a time to empower and uplift women, fostering a sense of solidarity and unity. It encourages women to pursue their aspirations, break barriers, and overcome challenges in their personal and professional lives.

Recognizing Intersectionality: International Women's Day recognizes that women's experiences and challenges are diverse and can be influenced by factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and more. It emphasizes the importance of an inclusive approach that considers the intersecting identities of women.

Highlighting Unfinished Work: While celebrating progress, International Women's Day also highlights the unfinished work in achieving gender equality. It encourages continued efforts to address existing disparities and challenges.

However, the problem with AI is what too often goes missing: the personal touch, the unique approach that makes any ritual or obligation meaingful or memorable. (From what I am told, will only get better). I believe a key aspect for IWD is sharing stories of women past and present. And I believe one I used in my recent talk at Regis Jesuit's Diversity Day 2024: The Wisdom of Women in Sports and Spiritulaity is worth sharing.

First, meet the San Diego Spalsh— a group of trailblazing women in their 80s and 90s who played basketball in San Diego Senior Women’s Basketball Association (SWBA). 

They are the subject of “Make A Splash—a new sports film about a team of women in their 80s and 90s – not from the 1980s or 1990s – who play real basketball, with off-ball picks and turnaround jumpers." (The Guardian)

These pioneers have powerful stories to share regarding equal rights for women in sports. They continue to lead by example and shatter stereotypes regarding women in sports & beyond. It would be tempting to watch the players and say: Wow, look at those old ladies make cuts and sink those shots! Aren’t they just so … cute? It would also, like an air ball, miss the point.”

As you watch, pay attention to the 96 year old Grace Larsen. Larsen, a former municipal court deputy clerk in San Diego, always enjoyed sports but didn't have the opportunity to play organized athletics in her youth because they didn't exist for girls at the time. Instead, she played football in the street or basketball in gym class. One of the most basic lessons they teach us is to play because you can. What an invaluable lesson for all of us.

The lives of the players are their coaches are forever changed by the sisterhood that comes from being in a league of their own. They travel for competition, they practice and develop set plays. Some players communicate more effectively with one another on the hardwood. Others share similar struggles and life losses off the court. They celebrate birthdays and the end of life, too. In short, they love one another.

Their wisdom cannot be hidden. In one poignant scene, they watch a group of young girls playing their game. One woman shouts, “That's the future right there!” Another adds, “My school—we weren't allowed to play full court basketball.They didn't have many sports for girls.” Her teammate announces “Title IX gave an okay for women to be athletic, period.”

There are many ways to teach about the importance of Title IX, Women's History Month and International Women's Day—and I can make a strong argument that we should. But, I think stories that reveal that truth, might be the most convincing way for everyone to understand its impact and celebrate what it means. I found a memorable, meaningful one in ESPN’s Fifty/50: Make a Splash but there are countless others. Look and listen, show and tell. Make a splash...
Splash on three....!

Photo Credits
Hands in
Team work

IWD

Tale of Two Presentations: Women and Sport

I was given a chance to teach about women and sports at Regis Jesuit High School's 18th annual Diversity Day. This session was born from a presentation by students in a social justice course. Three young women asked these essential questions: 

• What do you think the biggest gender inequalities in sports are from an economical standpoint?
• How do you think sponsorship differs based on an athlete’s gender?
• What do you think would solve gender inequalities in sports?

I added one of my own

• Remaining Grounded in Gratitude: Where do we go from here? What might we celebrate at the 100 year anniversary of Title IX? 

This question served as the title for my workshop: Grounded in Gratitude: Women and Sports. Where do we go from here? I asked this question in light of the 50 year celebration of Title IX, which we celebrated as a school community on International Women's Day, March 8, 2022. 

Where do we go from here? invites one to consider what do we want and to imagine what might be. I invite school  and athletic leaders to pause and envision our hopes and dreams for the future— especially for women in sport. 

The presentation and conversation that followed was important and quite fruitful. I left with more questions than answers—both surprising and challenging. In short, it was the tale of two presentations: What is?  and the ever important question, Why? More on that to come...

Like many schools, Regis Jesuit adopted a theme for the 2022-2023 school year: "Grounded in Gratitude." Gratitude, or thanksgiving is a timeless, evergreen value, principle and foundation. To think of ourselves grounded or rooted in it is life giving, but, it's not static. Gratitude is dynamic and so the question, Where do we go from here?. Therefore my focus was to reflect on what we can be grateful for insofar as what women have done in sports, evaluate where we are today and imagine what we want for the future.

I could speak to where we were 50 years ago, but the bottom line is women were grateful to have any chance to participate in sports, period. Opportunities, access to facilities and resources though limited did not go appreciated. Lesley Visser, author “She’s Got Game” writes, "Every female athlete today owes her gratitude to the women who overcame those obstacles, both on the court and in the courts." And in the court was the passing of a federal civil writes law known as Title IX.

On June 23, 1972 President Nixon signed 37 words into law that prohibited gender discrimination in public education and federally assisted programs, including high school and collegiate athletic programs.

In 1971, before Title IX passed, only 1% of college athletic budgets went to women’s sports programs. At the high school level, male athletes outnumbered female athletes 12.5 to 1. Today the margin is much narrower. 

Truly, we have so much to be grateful for. I let a number of photos capture what I see as progress, worth celebrating and made possible because of Title IX.

• the WNBA was the first to organize and take action in response to the death of George Floyd
• Paula Badosa of Spain was one of the first athletes—before Michael Phelps, Kevin Love and even Naomi Osaka to speak openly about her struggle with mental health.
• Sarah Thomas was the first female to referee in the Super Bowl
• There are many female coaches in the NFL
• No longer are men the only announcers in sports. 
• Female athletes/teams and their achievements are sources of great joy and pride. Thank you ND Women's Hoop!
• The list goes on...

While we have taken so many steps forward, Muffet McGraw has said “Title IX at 50 is a celebration, but it still demands constant vigilance." 

No where was the more evident than in the disparity between what what was offered to men and women in the NCAA basketball tournament. Thanks to Oregon basketball player, Sedona Prince put into place—just by doing what she had already been doing: sharing her world via TikTok—equitable resources, amenities and facilities for women and men's team in what is now known as March Madness for all.

While I could continue with ideas and projections for the next 50 years, a huge part of me wishes I had simply stopped in the here and now. I am not convinced that should not have stayed with the reality of today and asked the hard questions. When I take a step back and think about it. This is what I want to know:

• Why is it that we are unfamiliar or unaware of women in sport unless they are either tremendously successful or extremely attractive?
• Why do we value women's sports so much less than men's sports? 
• Why are we comparing women's sports to men's sports, period?
• Why do we not take female athletics (as) seriously? 
• Why do we continue to offer so little news coverage and highlights of women in sport?
• Why do men put down other men (and women) by telling one another they hit, throw or run like a girl (see Tiger Woods story at Genesis Open)

At the beginning of my presentation, I established ground rules for our time together. 

• Assume the good
• We are trying to get somewhere together. This session is not meant to put one gender against the other. It will however ask questions rooted in a Faith that does Justice. In other words, our questions will ask "Why?" ....and those questions ask us to look beyond the mighty dollar
• We cannot speak for all people at all times. There will always be counterpoints and counter examples. We can acknowledge and respect that all the while aim toward getting somewhere together.
• In this presentation I will present positives and negatives.
• Your own experience and stories have value.

I offered these because I wanted students to know my intention was to build upon the very questions students were asking and frame that against history, developments/changes in our society, and the understanding of equity and equality. My hope was for young people to see that we all lose when sexism (and racism) are not examined and persist. We must continue to ask What is? How? and Why? 

In the United States, March has been designated Women's History Month—commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. I would argue educators have a responsibility to do their part, share the stories and raise awareness about the impact women have had in society, culture and sport—when and where it is appropriate. And when given the chance, do just ask the formal questions. Ask the real ones...the hard ones....the honest ones....and take it from there. 

Photo Credits
Stamp
Arike
Tiger and JT
Where to from here?

International Women's Day: Meet Coach Muffet McGraw

Today, International Women's Day is "a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women." I would like to take the opportunity of IWD to:

1. celebrate the example of one female coach and 
2. continue my call and quest for more female coaches...and how these might be related.

If I were to create Mt. Rushmore of coaches at the University of Notre Dame, it would be utterly incomplete without the face of Coach Muffet McGraw. Coach McGraw now in her 31st season with the Irish has a stellar record of 765-227 (.771) and one national championship title to her name. As written on the ND website

McGraw's post at Notre Dame was further enhanced on Feb. 16, 2015, when one of her former players, point guard Karen (Robinson) Keyes ('91) and her husband, Kevin, made a $5 million gift to their alma mater to endow its head women's basketball coaching position, now known as the Karen and Kevin Keyes Family Head Women's Basketball Coach. It's also believed to be the largest endowment gift of its kind in NCAA women's basketball history, as well as the first endowed coaching position of any sort in Notre Dame athletics history. 

According to the International Women's Day's website, March 8, also "marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity." This distinction for both the position of coaching at Notre Dame and to Coach McGraw was made possible through the ardent efforts of the Advancement Office of Irish Athletics (under the Development Office) What a wonderful way to advance IWD's cause.

The accolades on the coaching profile webpage for Muffet McGraw are prolific. On one hand, words cannot capture what she is and has been as a coach, a mentor and a face for women's hoops. The page opens with her record, her tenure, and the following:
"If we searched for an entire year. I don't think we would find anyone better suited for our program."

With those words, former Notre Dame director of athletics Gene Corrigan announced the hiring of Muffet McGraw as the third head coach of the Fighting Irish women's basketball program on May 18, 1987. Corrigan may not have realized it at the time, but he also ushered in an era of unparalleled success in women's basketball at Notre Dame, brought to life on the shoulders of a 5-foot-6 dynamo who accepts nothing less than the very best from herself, her players and her program. Ask anyone familiar with women's basketball about Muffet McGraw and her Notre Dame program and inevitably, you'll hear the same two words -- consistency and excellence. And it's no wonder, when you consider what McGraw and the Fighting Irish have achieved in the past 30 seasons: 

With all due respect to Mr. Corrigan, I think "an entire year" is an understatement. They would not have found the likes of McGraw in a lifetime. However, if it's up to Coach McGraw they can and they will again.

Every level of basketball--from high school on up to the league now has upwards of four, six or eight coaches on staff. Though puzzling to me, I know that each coach has his or her specialty and purpose. Unlike many womens' D1 sports program, all seven coaches associated with Notre Dame women's basketball team are female. This is not a new trend. Many are former players. Some are moms, others are wives, partners etc. In the past, some have left to become head coaches; others will in the future. This attribute ought to be linked to the legacy of Coach Muffet McGraw.

At Notre Dame, we already have a Grotto, a Golden Dome, two lakes--not one, and the best fight song in all of collegiate sports. The campus--the flora and fauna, the grounds, the architecture is resplendent in its beauty. Artwork and statues enhance the aesthetic and find their own way of telling the story that is Notre Dame. 

For example, outside of the Hesburgh Library, the imposing and prophetic Moses stands strong. He led the Israelites to freedom...and he calls attention to the fact we are number one. Father William Corby, two-time President of Notre Dame was also chaplain to the Union Army. He is captured blessing the Irish Brigade in the American Civil War. On game day, Irish faithful refer to him as "First Down Corby." Our Lady stands on top of the Golden Dome, outside of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (as the protector of unborn children) and adjacent to the Alumni Welcome Center with her cousin Elizabeth. "The Visitation," designed by Holy Cross Priest, Father Austin Collins, signifies pilgrimage and journey, welcome and hospitality. On a daily basis, alumni, parents, fans, and tourists travel to South Bend, Indiana to visit what can only be seen, heard, touched and felt at Notre Dame. Making a sincere case for a Mt. Rushmore of our coaches would be futile. However, on International Women's Day, I would like to call attention to the fact were we to create such a monument, the Mt. Rushmore of Coaches of the Fighting Irish would include one woman among the four faces. And, her career is not yet over—the best, may be yet to come. Thank you, Coach McGraw, for your example, for sharing your gifts and for the legacy have created and are living!. 

Photo Credits