UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 7, Page 3
October 14, 1993
Women's athletics to celebrate its silver anniversary

     Mary Ann Hitchens is feeling a bit nostalgic these days. Working in
her Delaware Field House office, the University's associate director of
athletics and senior women's administrator can't help but take a few
moments to smile as she anticipates a number of upcoming events.
     The 1993-94 academic year marks the 25th anniversary of the Women's
Athletic Program at Delaware. Recognition ceremonies, reunions, a spring
reception and gala dinner, and, of course, continued success on the playing
field are expected to play a major part in the celebration.
     Mention any significant moment in the first 25 years of women's
athletics at the University, and Hitchens has been involved to some degree.
To some fans and staff, she has been a constant in a women's sports program
that is considered to be a model in the East.
     "It's a very gratifying experience, like watching a child grow up,"
Hitchens said. A 1967 Delaware graduate who earned her master's degree from
the University in 1971, she coached the Blue Hen women's basketball team
from 1972-78 and field hockey team from 1973-88.
     "I can look back and see time pass from an age of innocence to an age
of reality," Hitchens said. "I remember the sacrifices everyone had to
make. We would have done anything to play the game. Having the opportunity
was so important. It stirs up a lot of memories.  It will be exciting to
gather and recognize such a fine bunch of people."
     Hitchens, plus anniversary co-chairpersons Barbara Kelly, professor of
physical education, and Kathleen Troutman, instructional television
operations manager at University Media Services-and a host of other
University administrators and former athletes-are helping prepare for the
anniversary.
     Plans for the coming year include half-time recognition and reception
programs involving past All-Americans and Blue Hen greats Oct. 16 at the
football game against Villanova University in Delaware Stadium and another
Feb. 5 at the basketball doubleheader with Drexel University in the Bob
Carpenter Center. Numerous activities are scheduled for Saturday, April 23,
including a 5K run/walk, an alumni tailgate prior to the women's
intercollegiate lacrosse and softball games, and a reception and gala
dinner that evening at the Bob Carpenter Center, featuring an as yet
unnamed nationally known female athlete as speaker. Alumni softball and
lacrosse games will be played Sunday, April 24.
     In addition, a 25th anniversary logo has been produced, a recognition
banner is flying high in front of Delaware Field House and a one-credit
course, "Women's Athletics: Evolution and Revolution," has been developed
by Kelly to be offered this spring.
     Hitchens remembers the modest beginnings. While University men have
been competing in intercollegiate sports since 1882, opportunities for
women before 25 years ago consisted solely of physical education classes,
intramurals and club sports.
     But attitudes began to change in the late 1960s. An enthusiastic
student group, the Women's Athletic Association, was led by seniors Sandra
Cunningham Coover and Barbara Ralph and freshman Kathie Devenney Troutman.
The student-athlete leaders approached Kelly, then chairperson of the
women's physical education department, with the idea of beginning an
intercollegiate program.
     Their proposal was backed by Kelly and faculty members Joan Entriken,
Susana Occhi, Ruth Ragatky, Marian Staiger and Aggie Bixler Kurtz. It also
had the support of then University President E. A. Trabant and David M.
Nelson, director and dean of the College of Physical Education, Athletics
and Recreation. The proposal was presented to the Athletic Governing Board
and passed with several stipulations.
     Beginning in the fall of 1969, three sports-field hockey, swimming and
basketball (selected after a student interest survey)-were offered on a
two-year, trial basis with a combined annual budget of $1,500. Bixler
(field hockey), Occhi (varsity basketball), Hitchens (freshman basketball)
and Entriken (swimming) served as the first coaches, all on a voluntary
basis.
     "In the beginning, I clearly remember our main goal was 'just give us
a chance,'" Hitchens said. The standout athlete at Milford (Del.) High
School, who chose to attend the University of Delaware, said, "Once that
was provided, the people involved really took the ball and ran with it and
should be proud of what they accomplished."
     Everyone who was involved in the early years can recall the tough
times during the program's infancy. Team members often bought their own
equipment, even uniforms were a luxury. Transportation was often in private
cars or school buses; playing schedules were limited; and post-game meals
consisted mostly of sandwiches. Even finding an adequate place to practice
and play was a problem.
     Troutman, Delaware '71, said, "I remember playing basketball in the
Women's Gymnasium (now Hartshorn Hall) and the sidelines were so close to
the wall that you'd be sitting on the bench and your feet would be
inbounds. Our fans had to sit on gymnastic equipment in the balcony, and
the windows always seemed to be welded shut. It used to get so hot in
there. But it was an interesting experience, and we had a great time. It
really brought the players together, and there was a lot of support between
the different teams. Having the opportunity to play made my collegiate
experience that much more valuable and fun."
     "Looking back, there were times I wondered if (a 25th anniversary)
would ever happen," Kelly said. "It was a tough battle to fight for women's
sports at that time. We felt isolated at times, and by demanding attention
we brought on some enemies. It was a real balancing act. But, we knew the
goal was worth it. I would go to games and post-season banquets and see
firsthand the loyalty, camaraderie and excitement that was generated among
the athletes. That was when I really felt the significance of what we had
done."
     Although their beginnings may have been a little rocky, the Blue Hen
women made up for their late start in quite a hurry, expanding into other
sporting areas as the years passed.After the women's program became
"official" in 1971, volleyball was added as a varsity sport in 1972, tennis
in 1973, softball in 1976, lacrosse in 1978, indoor track in 1979, outdoor
track and cross country in 1981 and soccer in 1990.
     Since 1971, those 11 Blue Hen women's teams have combined to win 63
percent of their games. No team has won less than 54 percent of its games.
The women's teams also have captured three national titles (all won by
lacrosse from 1981-83), won six regional championships, captured 25
conference titles and won a combined nine Commissioner's Cups in the East
Coast Conference and North Atlantic Conference for having the most
successful all-around women's program. In addition, a total of 59 athletes
have been recognized as All-Americans in their respective sports.
     Hitchens, who as a coach led six field hockey teams to the national
playoffs, including a second-place finish in 1978, finds special
significance in the lacrosse titles. Led by head coach Janet Smith, those
lacrosse teams captured an unprecedented three straight national titles,
including the 1983 NCAA Division I championship. That women's team is still
the only team in school history, men or women, to win a Division I national
title.
     "That was an incredible accomplishment," Hitchens said, "not only that
they won the national title three straight years, but it was a
non-scholarship program that played its games in a parking lot and overcame
all kinds of adversity. It was kind of like the American dream. It was the
pinnacle of our tradition."
     Hitchens also is quick to note the importance of the federal Title IX
legislation, a portion of the Education Amendment of 1972 that bars
discrimination in educational programs or activities that receive federal
funds, as a key factor in the rise of the Delaware women's athletic
program.
     "Title IX spurred growth in women's athletics and really meant a lot
to all programs," she explained. "It was an issue that needed to be
legislated, and history has shown that. It became law one year after our
program started, so we really grew up with Title IX. Budgets, scholarships,
participation and our overall support all changed for the better. It was
then natural for us to add sports."
     Today,the women's basketball team plays its home games in the new Bob
Carpenter Center, where they averaged almost 800 fans per game last season.
Although gender equity issues in athletics continue to be addressed, U.D.
women's teams commonly fly to their destinations, and state-of-the-art
equipment and first-class uniforms are the norm. Athletic scholarships
continue to increase, and the operating budget has risen a hundred-fold
since the $1,500 total in 1969.
     Joyce Perry, Delaware '74, a member of those early basketball, field
hockey and tennis teams, begins her 16th season as the Blue Hen women's
head basketball coach. "Women's athletics has really evolved from the early
days, from the days when we bought our own shoes and kilts and just played
for the love of the game, to now when a sport like women's basketball has
national interest. There have been a lot of positive changes," Perry said.
     "We owe a lot to (the early female athletes)," said current Blue Hen
basketball co-captain Merel van Zanten. "Just the fact that we are
celebrating 25 years shows that women's athletics means a great deal to the
University of Delaware. We owe it to them to continue the tradition that
was built and to try to continue to improve upon it. I see athletes getting
better, more resources are available to us, and we're getting more
recognition for our efforts. College athletics is such a great opportunity
and experience, and it's important that we pass that along to the next
generations."
     In Hitchen's opinion, the strong foundation will help enhance the
women's program in the future. "The athletes were here all along, only the
opportunity wasn't," she said. "The University of Delaware has so much
going for it with its academic reputation, location to other cities and a
beautiful campus. It's a great place to be. The (women's athletic) program
was ripe to begin. We've built a great tradition, and I think we can all
feel proud that we seized the opportunity and have done good things with
it."
                           -Scott Selheimer, director of sports information