Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 4, 1993 TAG: 9304040191
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ATLANTA LENGTH: Medium
IN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, IT'S MEN LEFT OUT IN COLD
There seems to be a difference of opinion on the subject of opportunities for men in women's basketball - even among the men."I think an even greater issue is contracts," Connecticut coach Gene Auriemma said. "Do you know there are a lot of schools that won't give their women's basketball coach a contract?"
Auriemma, a former Virginia assistant, is chairman of the Kodak All-America Selection Committee. It would be hard for him, in that position, to say men aren't accepted in the women's game.
Nevertheless, the percentage of male head coaches in women's college basketball has dropped from more than 50 to 35. Four of the 21 Division I vacancies last year were filled by men.
"There has been talk of forming a men's coaches' groups, just as there are black coaches' groups and assistant coaches' groups," Auriemma said. "I don't have a problem with that."
The Women's Basketball Coaches' Association this year chose Jim Foster of Vanderbilt as its first male president.
"There was a time when there were more opportunities for men because there were fewer women qualified at that level," Foster said. "What you're seeing now is growth.
"My concern is when an administrator is going to have the guts to hire a woman to coach a men's team. [But] if you say it's bad for a man to be coaching women, then I think you have a problem."
Foster said he is certain that one day a woman will coach a men's team.
"How long has it been since administrators wouldn't hire black coaches?" he asked. "It's a matter of the times and people having the strength and courage to make decisions."
\ WHY NOT FOSTER?: Not only is it unheard-of for a woman to coach a men's team, but it is rare for a women's coach of either sex to be hired to coach a men's program. One of the few coaches to make the switch was Speedy Morris, hired to coach the LaSalle men after a stint coaching the women. It will be interesting if Foster gets any consideration for the Vanderbilt men's job that came vacant with Eddie Fogler's resignation to go to South Carolina.
\ CHANGE MULLED: Foster said he does not agree with Ohio State coach Nancy Darsch, who has suggested the women push their Final Four back one week in order not to conflict with the men.
"Nancy's not a golf fan," Foster said. "If you move it back a week, we would hit head-to-head against the Masters [also on CBS]. I don't think the television people would jump at that.
"There is nothing that I would consider a super television event in February. We need to look at it. We need to debate it. The game has reached a level few had predicted."
One problem with moving the tournament up a month, as has been suggested by women's basketball committee chairman Judith Holland, is the availability of arenas at a time when the men's regular season is in full swing.
"I'm definitely a golf enthusiast," Darsch said. "The Masters is just one week. I'm just saying, in looking forward or back, it would be better to pick a time when the men's tournament isn't going on."