GOSHEN —
Goshen College was home to several pioneers in women’s athletics, according to Sports Information Director Josh Gleason.
“Title IX was very significant here,” he said. “Ruth Gunden and (volleyball coach) Sue Roth were both definitely pioneers in getting females into sports here.”
Ruth Gunden, who retired from the College in 1994 as the Director of International Study, began her career at the College in 1953 and she helped set up an intercollegiate basketball program for women at Goshen and other nearby schools.
Gunden said starting the basketball program, and the larger idea of women’s collegiate sports, was exciting.
“Games happened on the weekends,” she said. “We would caravan in station wagons to ‘sportsdays’ at larger schools and play other girls’ teams. Title IX helped move girls’ sports along, but we already had it started.”
Gunden, who got her Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, said her graduate career in physical education gave her different perspectives for gender equality in sports.
“University of Iowa was a hotbed for women in sports,” she said. “And I was active all my life. I had five brothers older than me. One pitched baseball and one pitched softball — and if there was no one around, they would throw me in pads and I would catch. I was groomed for a career like this, though I couldn’t have planned to do this with my life. I’ve had a good career — what a vast experience.”
Gunden spent her time on summer softball teams and intramural sports in college, but she said it flourished as she coached for Goshen College.
“Title IX legitimized everything we were doing,” she said. “And people in my department were very supportive. We also got support from the community, and we had girls coming from states that had interscholastic teams where they had already been playing. Indiana didn’t have high school sports for girls at the time, but we had girls coming from Florida, Pennsylvania and Iowa that played, even if it was with different rules.”
From the 1950s to the 1970s, Gunden said she saw changes in how women were accepted across the collegiate level.
“You even saw it in studies, too, not just in athletics,” Gunden said. “You saw courses in subjects like women’s studies, and Title IX played a big part in that interest. Women were heads of departments, or even presidents of colleges.”
Gleason agreed that Title IX provides a lot more than the same athletic opportunities.
“Title IX goes to our overall mission as a school to develop leaders, especially in today’s world and climate,” Gleason said. “We’re giving them opportunity to follow passions, and opportunities to make differences in the community.”
Gleason said the faith of Goshen College also affects how gender equality is enacted.
“Being based in the Mennonite Church, we have equality in terms of gender, and also in terms of culture,” Gleason said. “It’s a large factor in the Mennonite Church. Gender equality, in a larger sense, has always been a major factor in our decisions.”
Looking to the future, Gunden said she can only see more and more continued successes for women’s sports.
“The level of skill now is certainly enhanced (from skill levels in the past),” she said. “You have to play in order to improve. I would tell girls to give it all you got. Give it your best.”
Gleason said he also sees continued changes, even after 40 years of legislated equality.
“Obviously, when you look at the numbers, you see great changes in participation,” he said. “I think that 40 years from now, you’ll see even more growth. I’m hoping there will be continued education to get rid of misconceptions of what it means to be a female athlete, getting rid of negative stereotypes.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Goshen College’s Kaylee Hilliker puts up a shot in front of Grace defender Hannah Lengel during a game this past January at Goshen College. Sam Householder
TITLE IX | Impact of legislation at Goshen College was 'significant'
- Local News
-
-
Sentence dealt for reckless homicide
GOSHEN — From the witness stand in Elkhart Circuit Court, Kristina Wolfinger could see the man who killed her brother. She described what she didn’t see.
-
Milford Fest activities to fill Saturday
Milford Fest will take place in downtown Milford Saturday.
Events begin at 7 a.m. and continue through 9 p.m. -
Local Memorial Day events set
The following are scheduled Memorial Day services in the area:
-
Charlie Daniels Band coming to Shipshewana
He’s got the hat, the fiddle and the hits. And he’s feeling revitalized.
In a recent telephone interview with The Goshen News, 74-year-old Charlie Daniels said he is feeling like a new man after his pacemaker procedure earlier this year. He says everything is in sync and he is having a great time on the road.
“I’m enjoying this tour and we are looking forward to making music in Indiana,” the country-rock icon said. -
State senate honors Middlebury teen
The Indiana Senate recognized Northridge High School senior Alexandra Hochstetler, who is Indiana’s Distinguished Young Woman.
-
Volunteers help plant annual quilt gardens
GOSHEN - Colorful gardens are popping up across Elkhart and LaGrange counties this week as volunteers plant the annual quilt gardens.
-
WWI vet to be honored at dusk to dawn vigil
MIDDLEBURY — Guests speakers at the Middlebury American Legion Post 210 annual dusk to dawn vigil at Grace Lawn Cemetery reads like a who’s who list in Indiana government.
-
Dozens treated after school buses collide
NORTH WEBSTER — A crash involving four Wawasee Community School buses Wednesday resulted in more than 50 injured students, according to Kosciusko County police.
-
Fitness Fridays begin at Parkview LaGrange
Looking for a way to “jump start” your weekend activities? Leaders at Parkview LaGrange Hospital invite the public to join them every Friday at 4 p.m. for a 2-mile walk around the hospital’s half-mile walking track.
-
UPDATE: Wawasee bus driver, some students taken to hospital after crash
SYRACUSE — A crash Wednesday afternoon involving four Wawawsee Community School buses has sent 25 children and a bus driver to local hospitals for treatment. The crash occurred on Ind. 13 near Clark Marina, which is between Wawasee Middle School and the North Webster town limits.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
