Consider Coaching

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When reading over an article written by Megan Greenwell earlier this month, I was struck by two things she said.

In her piece titled “How Title IX Eliminated Coaching Jobs for Women—And How to Solve the Problem” (2012), Greenwell stated the following, “Coaches have a responsibility to encourage women athletes to think seriously about becoming coaches once their careers are over. Athletic directors must reach outside their usual networks when they’re looking to hire coaches. People in positions of influence should promote women” (¶8).  These three sentences caused me to pause and reflect.  How many times have I talked to girls about what they want to do in the future?  As Donna Duffy discussed just a few days ago in her post “So you want to be a doctor?” we often listen to girls say they want to be a nurse, a lawyer, a doctor, an engineer, etc., and we encourage them to reach their dreams.  When girls do not know what they “want to be,” we often encourage them to explore what they want to do by looking at where their talent lay and consider their passions.

Upon thinking, I cannot say that I have heard more than one or two girls – ever – who have included coaching in their list of potential careers.  Also, I will admit that there have only been one or two girls who I have encouraged to go into the coaching field.  I admit this number is disappointing, especially since it is not because I haven’t found girls who would make good coaches; in fact, quite the opposite it true – there are several who I believe would make great coaches.  What I think it boils down to is that it’s not a career that crosses their mind as being feasible.  After all, for many of our girls until they have come to our school, they have been predominately coached by males; so, why would they consider coaching to be a possible career?  Just as Greenwell’s quote states, it is our job to encourage young women who demonstrate the traits of a successful coach early on to consider and pursue this potential career path.  After all, if we as female coaches don’t mention this career, and ADs and other administrators don’t talk about it, then the world may miss out on a new crop of wonderful women coaches.  Girls these days are brought up knowing they can do anything and are not afraid to put themselves out there and challenge others who may disagree…I dare say that these young women could become some of the coaches who change the female coaching world.

Continuing with this idea, the second point that Greenwell made was that “[Brilliant] female coaches—including Notre Dame’s Muffet McGraw…to Baylor’s Kim Mulkey…—shouldn’t only be coaching women” (2012, ¶9).  I love this statement, and it is one that I believe in wholeheartedly.  After all, no one looks at it strangely when a male coaches a female team; therefore, why should we view women coaching men’s teams as odd?  Look at Nancy Lieberman; she’s done well coaching women, and she broke through this barrier when she was named the head coach of the Texas Legends, a NBA developmental league team.  Also, there have been several women who have coached successful players on the ATP Tour (i.e. Amelie Mauresmo, Billie Jean King, and Judy Murray).  Also, there are women who coach boys’ rec league teams – an important job as these ladies are laying the foundation on which these young male athletes will build.

I think it’s time for people in the sports world to take notice of these examples, and open their eyes to new possibilities.  There should be no glass ceiling in terms of coaching, or any other sports job such as the athletic trainer, team doctor, general manager, etc. for that matter.  For women today, especially younger women, it is important for people who have some power to step up and recognize that gender does not matter, but what does matter is a person’s qualifications, passion, philosophy, etc.  While I know this change is slowly happening (i.e. the LA Dodgers recently named Sue Falsone their Head Athletic Trainer), who knows where we will be in 5 years, 10 years, etc.?  Hopefully, one day we will see more women holding positions and coaching male teams, if they so desire, at the high school, collegiate, and professional level.  I know that I will be rooting for this change, and encouraging any of my student-athletes and peers who are pursuing this path as well.

Source:

Greenwell, M. (2012, April 3). How Title IX eliminated coaching jobs for women—And how to solve the problem. Retrieved April 23, 2012, from http://www.good.is/post/how-title-ix-eliminated-coaching-jobs-for-women-and-how-to-fix-it/