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Show Page The Daily Utah Chronicle Openings 1978 Growth of women's athletics attributed to many factors by JANICE PECK-SANS- OM Chronicle staff Enough of that "You've come a long way, baby" "The increased interest in women's athletics would have happened here anyway. No one waves it as a banner to get their way," Blundell said. routine. Women's athletics are nothing new, as any The women's program is on a University will verify. compete woman athlete at the "The quality of the women athletes at the University has really grown in the last few years," said Blundell, sports Shelley information director for women. ("What a handle," Blundell laughed.) She said sports for women is becoming better accepted "as the stigma of the tomboy is fading." Fern Gardner, women's athletic director and basketball coach, agreed. "We're getting more women interested in sports now because the high school programs in the state have really picked up. And of course Title IX has had an effect." "Title IX hastened the development of women's sports and scholarships legitimized it," Bundell said. Title IX is the Educational Amendment Act passed in 1972. It wasn't originally aimed specifically at sports; it outlawed discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. "It was designed to equalize teachers' salaries, but it encompassed sports," said Blundell. She said Title IX isn't an issue at the because ' "the University, here has administration common sense and a desire to maintain a good program." athletic full-yea- r schedule. The women in nine sports: volleyball and tennis in the fall; basketball, gymnastics, skiing and swimming in the winter; and softball, track and tennis in the spring. During the summer, coaches conduct sports camps for junior and senior high school girls. Within five years the budget for women's athletics has increased 400 percent. Gardner said the program was budgeted for $35,000 when whe became director in 1975. The price tag is now about $225,000. "We're at a place financially and scholarship-wis- e where it's economically possible to be. I don't, think President Gardner wants anything less than high quality in any program here," she said. The four strongest sports "gave us a lot of prestige nationally," Blundell said. Three thousand fans showed up for the meet, the biggest draw ever for a women's sports event. In fact, gymnastics is third in popularity behind football and men's basketball at the University, Women's basketball is no pale second to the men's game anymore, according to Blundell. "It's a very fast game because of the shot clock." Several of the woman's games will be played just before the men's games at the Special Events 30-seco- nd Fiftv-On- e NUMBER it' 4 Center this year. "We'd like people to come and see the games, even if they only come for the second half. I think they'd be surprised at the quality of the playing," Blundell said. The women's ski team was the national champion last year. "It's hard to be No. 1 again, but we have a good team," Bundell admitted. "The women's program has been incorporated under the men's team coaches. I think the program is more stable this year." Women's sports don't continued on page 55 A' IN 1 SPORTS FOR VERY GOOD REASONS o SERVICE o SELECTIONS o ALL FAMOUS BRANDS 250 South State, Salt Lake 1290 So. State. Orem 62nd So. & Highland Dr., Salt Lata 23nl & Washington Blvd., Ogdon in the program are volleyball, skiing, basketball and gymnastics. "The Israeli Posters& Gifts volleyball you'll see played by the women athletes is a lot more than just a friendly game where people throw the ball back and forth," Blundell said. "It's very competitive, Jewish Books & Toys Judaica, U.S.A. Only and very By Appointment Call evenings and weekends powerful." Gymnastics is one of the University's strongholds. Ranked sixth in the nation last year, the team is expected to maintain a lead spot in the standings. One of the meets was televised last year, which 484-622- 6 Send stamped envelope for catalogue P.O. Box 600 Salt Lake City, Utah 84110 self-address- Fern Gardner "1 n. The perfect bond between equipment and a skiier's ability. At Vagabond Sports we have the equipment and expertise to create the magic of Vagabondage, matching your ability with the equipment thats just right for you. Vagabond sports bonds it all together just a few miles from the best skiing in the world. Vagabondage (vag'a'bon'dij) -- pup 2100 South 2300 East Salt Lake City, 3 Utah Phone (801) 485-195- Top Ute gymnast Diane Ellingson J) |
