On Wednesday, February 4, 2009 many communities throughout our country will celebrate National Girls and Women In Sports Day with this year’s theme of “Look Who’s Playing!” I have the day marked on my calendar as I have for at least the past ten years. No, I have not attended any special events but instead, always took some time to ponder the significance of the day. There have been any number of things that I sat and thought about over those ten years; Title IX, the evolution of rules in women’s basketball, the first woman to do this or that…the list goes on and on. This year, I plan to stick with the theme and focus on some of the girl’s and women that are currently playing, as well as some who played in the past. I plan to continue to learn from these extraordinary individuals.
I am sure that Venus and Serena Williams will be on my list. The admiration that I have for them is due to their ongoing ability to reach beyond the stars. When I think about their early training sessions with their father on a not-so-fancy court in Compton, California, it reminds me that desire, commitment and determination continue to be key factors to success. I will think of Wilma Rudolph whom I first learned about from my fourth grade teacher; Rudolph’s aunt. I will think of one of my best friends from middle and high school; Richelle (Williams) Raney. She was a phenomenal athlete, but I do not think that she knew it as much as I did. No, she didn’t play basketball (she wouldn’t know a zone defense if it jumped into her pocket), softball, or tennis. She was a gymnast and dancer. I admire her so much as she has excelled as a professional business woman, wife, and mother of two sons that are phenomenal ice skaters. I am not surprised by their athletic ability. Fruit does not fall far from the tree!
I will think of my sisters Pam, Phyllis and Melanie. Each of them was brave enough to pursue participation in sports to bring diversity and balance into their myriad of other talents. I will surely spend time thinking of my Mom who taught us the importance of diversity and balance. She was not an athlete for long because of a moment of unconsciousness while playing softball as a teen. I guess a softball to the head will do that! But I know she was built for it and would have been a phenomenal pitcher. She was left-handed and could throw a shoe around the corner of a room. I have several siblings who are witnesses, along with me!
I am going to spend some time thinking about some of my favorite current players in women’s college basketball as they go into conference play with the hope of going far this season. Devanei Hampton at California is like one of my own. Have you ever known a person that refuses to quit? If not, look in the dictionary and next to the word determined you will see a picture of Devanei. And when naysayers have told her that she could not or she would not, she took it on as a challenge and succeeded. Alexis Gray-Lawson is another one. I should call her everyday and tell her what she cannot do because she will surely do the opposite to the umpteenth degree. She and Devanei would often travel with my daughters and me when they were teens during club basketball season. Those were some of the best road trips of my life. I would drive for miles and the rule was that I get to listen to what I want to hear since I’m driving. Before long, they were fans of Josh Groban. And…I became a fan of Nelly! I have never laughed as deep as I have with those girls. “Lexi” was the oldest of the group, so if I had to go away to do laundry, or arrive a day late,”Lexi” was in charge of the group. She never failed me, and always reported back to me with any improprieties including anything from not going to bed on time to going over the budget on lunch. She can manage any project or person!
My girl Abi Olajuwon is my other baby who traveled with us along with her Mom, Granny, sister and little brother. On February 4, as I think of Abi, now a woman playing a sport, I will see a beautiful young woman with the patience of Job and the mind of any Pulitzer Prize winner.
I will think of the many girls who played high school ball with my daughters at Piedmont High School. The cultural and ethnic diversity was from one extreme to the other, and so were their skill levels. But when they each contributed their strengths to the game, from cheering from the bench to setting screens or hitting a three…they could not be beaten. They won two high school state championships with hard work, commitment to their team, and a never-give-up attitude. And that was wonderful, but my personal favorite win was the “Mark Cooper Oakland Tournament “ (remember the television sitcom Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper). It was a tournament played within the inner city of Oakland, California in a small gym, with standing room only every session. It was not the official high school team because it was played prior to the start of the season. But the players would get together and compete. When Piedmont H.S. showed up to play, they were the laughing stock. Sure they had about four players that had some club ball experience, but SURELY they would not be able to compete with the other teams who just exuded in athleticism. Try to picture this. Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson showing up with Jennifer Lopez, Martha Stewart, Einstein’s sister and Lucy Liu with the intent on playing in an inner city basketball tournament. Yet, their determination, intelligence, and team unity sent them home with the first place trophy.
I am going to give a few minutes to a new person on my list; Coach Kim Mulkey of Baylor University women’s basketball. OU recently played Baylor in a pretty tight game on the Waco campus with President George Bush and his wife Laura Bush in attendance (cheering for Baylor, but that’s another blog for later…). I know you might be wondering why I’d give a few minutes of my time. No, I absolutely, positively am not a Baylor fan of any sport! I don’t stop in Waco when heading for Houston for gas, even if I’m near empty, so let’s not get it twisted! But I must admit that after watching her pre-game and post-game videos, I respect her as a woman working and teaching in sports. She has a sense of humor, she’s knowledgeable, she’s competitive, and she’s committed to her team of players. She plans to win, but she respects the opponent.
I will think of my daughters, Ashley and Courtney Paris (whom I often refer to fondly as “Ash and Cort”…yes, I know it’s C-O-U-R-T, but I birthed her, so I can spell the nickname I gave her anyway I want…thank you) who are seniors this year at Oklahoma. Where did the time go? It seems as though I was just taking them to their dance recital a few years ago, but it’s actually been at least 17 years ago. As a parent of student-athletes (six that were basically back-to-back in age with a set of twins to bring up the rear), I tried my best to make sure that they were exposed to diverse activities and sports. Ash and Cort were in dance (jazz and tap) for a few years, played a little volleyball, they took gymnastics for a year, played recreational badminton, had lessons in tennis, and moments as cheerleaders (although Ash quit before the season began because she’d rather watch or play, than cheer). They also have spent time on the golf course (albeit with the priority of driving a golf cart), in swimming lessons, and any number of games of football and basketball with their four brothers. Each of them was required to take some form of music, do their share of chores at home, and volunteer in the community. Church activities were mandatory as well. Academic requirements were a given, and they went into the kindergarten understanding that they were preparing for college. Making sure there was balance in their life was critical. Along the way while exposed to any number of potential long-term interests, they decided that they were passionate about basketball. I supported their passion as much as possible (as long as they met their other responsibilities), and I can honestly say, without any doubt that I do not have any regrets. The path from playing on the coed fun team at the Boys and Girls Club to senior student-athletes at OU has been amazing to watch; especially when I have a bird’s eye view. Well, the view has been at a distance since they began college, but I’ve continued to watch closely. Each of them, independently and in their own right have worked diligently to become the best athlete possible along with excelling within the classroom, in the community, and remained family focused. When all the hoopla of basketball is said and done…family will be what lasts. They are pretty decent basketball players, but I am more impressed that they are each good people. When I grow up, I want to be like them.
There is one athlete and coach that I wish I had been graced with the opportunity to meet…Coach Kay Yow. I learned a few things about her over the years, and although she never knew it, she often inspired me to keep going when the tank indicated empty. One of her favorite scriptures from the bible is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”-Philippians 4:13. I refer to it often. And I will surely think of her, and the North Carolina State women’s basketball team.
Wow! Look who’s playing! Coach Kay Yow is because a little piece of her is surely in her staff and players. Rest in peace Coach Yow.
Lynn Gray
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