WOMEN’S ATHLETIC HISTORY Continued from page 19
College. Diane Potter, who has been a staple of women’s athletics at Springfield College for more than half a century even after retiring in 1999, spoke first. Having been a part of the women’s athletic program for its entirety here at Springfield College between the two of them, they outlined its history from its start in 1963 to present, with plenty of fascinating stories in between. Diane Potter first arrived on campus in 1953, two years after
the College allowed its first female students on campus. Women’s athletic programs were established 10 years later in 1963, but were a mere shadow of what they are today. Women’s athletic programs collectively received a $500 budget from student government, which paled in comparison to a $50,000 budget for men. Uniforms did not entirely suit the sport for which they were intended. early swimming uniforms were cotton, which isn’t exactly the most hydrodynamic material. Women were forced to use the same locker room as the men due to lack of facilities, which led to some pretty awkward situations on occasion. The two former coaches shared their memories, many times leaving the audience in stitches. The symposium continued with “ACL Injuries in Female
Athletes: Prevention and Rehabilitation,” presented by ortho- pedic surgeon Marc Brassard ’84, G’89, MD, and Springfield College Professor of exercise Science and Sports Studies Sue Guyer, DPe’03; and “Nutrition for the Female Athlete,” by Richard J. Wood ’99, PhD, director of the Center for Wellness education and Research at Springfield College. The symposium wrapped up on Saturday with the final
keynote speaker: Donna Lopiano, PhD. Lopiano, a nine time All-American softball player, was a standout student athlete and a pioneer for women’s athletics. After her collegiate athletic career, Donna served for 17 years as the director of women’s athletics at the University of Texas and is currently a member of the U.S. Olympic executive Committee. Donna’s presentation entitled “Female Sport Participation: An Antidote to our Sexist Media Culture” delved into the ways that the media portrays women and the effects that this has on young and developing females. She explained our media-driven culture statistically, saying that 50 percent of girls ages eight to 18 have a television in their bedroom and that more than six hours a day is spent on electronic media by our country’s youth. Lopiano expressed concern regarding the image that most media outlets suggest that a woman should look like and that it leads to unhealthy mind sets for young girls. The Homecoming weekend event was a representation
of 50 years of women’s athletics at the College. Alumni and students of all ages were able to come together and listen to powerful women speak and remember their time spent on the athletic fields at Springfield College, whether they wore cotton swimsuits or today’s much more hydrophobic, stream- lined apparel. If nothing else, the younger generations left this weekend with the appreciation of the path that these women paved for them so many years ago and continue to pave today.1
TRIANGLE 1 Vol . 85, No. 1
A SISTERHOOD UNIqUE TO SPRINGFIELD Continued from page 20
VOLLEYBALL
The women’s volleyball team has long been a force at Springfield College. Throughout 43 seasons, Springfield has gone a staggering 1050-362-6, including 26-6 this fall and an NCAA tournament appearance under third- year coach Moira Long. Not once in school history has the women’s volleyball team had a losing season. In the early days, the team did not have the budget for a full-time
coach and operated with a graduate assistant running the show. It didn’t stop Springfield from achieving some precocious success. Carey Snyder ’76 recalls with special fondness the 1972-73 squad coached by graduate assistant Joan Barbarich DPe’80. That diverse squad, with a player from Taiwan and another from Hawaii, made it all the way to nationals in Provo, Utah. “We had no fears,” said Snyder, the assistant director of athletics at east Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. “It was a conflu- ence of abilities that came together by chance.” In time, the program became
Returning to Springfield College to work at a volleyball camp each summer, [Alesia Vaccari] is proud to be part of the school’s coaching tradi- tion. “It just breeds great coaches,” she says. “It is just such a special place: the energy, the Humanics Philosophy, spirit, mind, and body. It just treats the whole being.”
better funded and quality volleyball continued as the competition level increased. Two long coaching stands highlight the history: nine years with Tom Hay from 1978-85, and 22 with Joel Dearing from 1989-2010. One of Dearing’s many disciples was Alesia Vaccari ’06, now in her third year as head coach at Simmons College. “He’s my mentor for sure,” Vaccari says. “He would always raise the bar
for me each day in practice.” even with such admiration for a man she credits for significantly
shaping her life journey, Vaccari says she recognizes the value of her athletes having a female coach. “Women need women role models,” she says. “The best mentors that women can have are other women.” Returning to Springfield College to work at a volleyball camp each
summer, she is proud to be part of the school’s coaching tradition. “It just breeds great coaches,” she says. “It is just such a special place: the energy, the Humanics philosophy, spirit, mind, and body. It just treats the whole being.”1
Alesia Vaccari Moira Long 37
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