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At Calhoun Community CollegeftWomen s Athletic Program Makes Most Of Situation%By MARY WIMBERLEYWomen college athletes may be beginning to find their place in the sun, but they are still in the shade compared to their brothers who, at many institutions, are wined, dined and catered to for their entireDuring basketball season, the women’s team and coach must wait until the men are through with the evmnasium forgymnasium practice.Another problem facing the basketball team is the lack ofur-year terms Extra-muralforwomenprograms at four-year colleges have enough difficulties, but the problems are enhanced at two-year institutions, says Mary McCoy, physical educationinstructor and a women’s coach at Calhoun Community College, where 50 girls participate ir extra-mural program.The basic problems,facilities andwomen officials certified to referee colege basketball.Calhoun is combating the problem in this area by offering a certification course for women basketball officials.“So far six have signed up for the course,” said Mrs. McCoy Despite the problems, as women atheltes prove their abilities on the courts andopportunitiesbetter.In 1972 for example, thewomen’s extra-mural program at Calhoun was alloted $1,000 from the athletic funds fromwhich operating expenses were squeezed for basketball, track and field, tennis and softball. From the amount cameexpenses for travel, lodging, food and uniforms.By garnering many of the trophies in her office, the teams, said Mrs. McCoy, ‘‘did well enough to justify getting $2,000 this year.Added to they yprogram, however, was volleyball.Before last year,” said Mrs.(lt;scholarships,equipment, coaching staff,andadequate all revolvearound one central theme: a lackof money.Sitting in her office amid red and yellow hula hoops, trophies, and dozens of cans of tennisballs,shetheexplained problems plaguing not just Calhoun, but all colleges which attempt to compete with men’s athletes for their fair share ofmoney, facilities and time.‘ ‘Calhoun can’t recruit thegirl athletes because they don’tsaid Mrs.give scholarships,McCoy who indicated that the situation could possibly force the college to quit participating in extra-mural competition.Mrs. McCov saidwomenMcCoyathletic programs in Alabama are generally behind those in other states.“The University of Alabama women’s basketball team didotherfairly well playing Alabama teams, but when they went out of state they were beat 70 points by a rather low-ranked Georgia team,” she said.The Georgia College had a ready supply of Georgia high school basketball stars to drawfrom. An extra-mural^ basketballprogram for worpertm A1schools has*secondarybanned for more than 20 years.It is against teams lnce the University of Alabama and Abuurn University that Calhoun must compete, a situation whichMrs. McCoy doesn’t exactly lookon favorably, but which control. It is either pla\not compete.Calhoun is the only two-year college in the two-year-oldWomen’s Intra-College Association.SportsThe problem here again lies with financing. Women physical education instructors at otherAlabama junior colleges have one by one dropped thier extramuralsports programs primarily because the are not compensated for their extra time.“Women coaches really can’tafford extra-financially murals,” says Mrs. McCoy, ‘‘but the kids are being shortchanged if we don’t do it.“We” at Calhoun is Carol Worrell, who coaches the volleyball and basketball teams; and Mrs. McCoy who coaches the track, tennis and softball teams.Each spends about 10 extra hours a week at work coaching the teams.McCoy with a shudder, “the girls had to pay their own expenses,” an occurance almost unknown inmen’s athletic programs.Nothing comes cheap for an athletic department, and it takes close money management to obtain the necessary equipment for the department.“Even tennis balls aren’tcheap,” she said, motioning to the dozens of cans of tennis ballsused by her tennis team which won four matches and lost two inits first seasonlast year.The score books record thesubstantial winnings that won the extra consideration for theprogram.Last year the Calhoun women outplayed teams from Auburn University, the University of Alabama and Troy State University to place second in the state softball tournament. Threeteam members captured placedon the state All-Star softballteam.The basketball team won honors in the state tournamentby placing third.Changes in the approach to women’s athletic programs are alos comine from othercoming directions.Proposed legislation wouldhelp the women’s situation byWide Range Of Sports]Representing four of the extra-mural sports at Calhoun Community College are from left, Janice Andler, volleyball; Giner Willard, basketball; Teresa Loftin, track; and MaritzaCarrera, tennis.NOW OPENHutch's FlowerlandJ 1' • t . P..I'M , T350-2878!V *hA;D- r%DISHWASHERS•v.v.•y''-w:rasas.-V* »«■K-£ye-y* «* *• *y *eliminating all barriers.The guidelines, as written by the Department ofDepartment of Health, Education and Welfare, would ban discriminationwomen in collegeagainstathleticprograms.Some readers of the guidelines interpret them to mean equality in offering scholarships, salaries for coaches andfacilities.The gudclines are interpreted from Title 9 in 1972 amendmentsto the Higher Education Act.It is generally believed that Title 9 would also bandiscriminationagainst women who want to try out for college swimming, tennis or golf teams.Why do women so often elect to develop athletic skills?“They love competition,” said Mrs. McCoy.“Girls don’thave LittleLeague of midget programs to achieve recognition for their athletic abilities,” shesaid,adding it is a situation she wouldSee WOMEN’S On Page D2BRIDESMake Your China,Crystal, Stamiess Cookware SelectionsSAM FRANK 816 Bank St353-1741AAIIIICONDITIONEDIIAIRQICORP.ItSERVICEiiAt Regular Intervals Save Money On YouririAIRIICONDVnONRKIlANDIIHeating SystemsIIPHONE 353.4882tm201 Fifth St., S.E., DecaturII•i'VX'V-•v,* •• i' lt;•r*..l'.' ,*V*A-r v.•r Vyy,mmJPRIHF INHRFASFa ..r -.y*35 On
Newspaper Details
Decatur Daily
Decatur, Alabama, US
Sun, Mar 24, 1974
Page 35
Full Page
Clipped by
Peggy T.
NA, 01 Sep 2022
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