By Martha Williams

The history of women’s athletics has been mixed, to say the least. Growing up in the 1960s, I experienced a confusing message – it was important, of course, to make a good effort, whatever your endeavor. On the other hand, female athletes who focused exclusively on fitness and competition found that many were uneasy with the idea young girls were abandoning goals of being pretty, popular and ultimately becoming wives and mothers. The movie “Quarterback Princess” was the ideal vehicle to express this kind of ambiguity. Football player in the afternoon, homecoming queen by night – who could ask for more? 

As a freshman at the University of Maine, I marveled  at the beautiful gymnasium constructed exclusively for the use of women. The fact that it completely lacked spectator facilities underscored the message – play if you must, but don’t expect a crowd.

Enter the gender equity act of 1972. Also known as “Title 9” it dictated that discrimination in interscholastic sports would be illegal and subject to prosecution. A law with teeth, it was the source of immediate controversy. Outraged traditionalists raised the specter of co-ed locker rooms, boys and girls grappling on wrestling mats, or tackling one another on the gridiron.

The town of Scarborough was fortunate to have a no-nonsense administrative and coaching staff to help sort out the issue. High school principal Al Juniewicz and athletic director, Packy McFarland met regularly with coaches Dick Plummer and Marcia Blanchard to discuss developments. Co-ed classes in physical education were mandatory, though students were not enthusiastic. By now a teacher at my alma mater, I was profoundly grateful I had escaped this piece of history; our bloomer-bottomed gym suits had to be seen to be believed.

Questions arose almost daily, ‘Could boys try out for girls teams?’ The answer was “no” if comparable boys team existed. Thus, no boys on the softball or girls basketball roster. Cheering, on the other hand, was open to both sexes, and a new era of competition cheering featuring tumbling and gymnastics began. As athletic director, Dad grappled with hiring coaches and officials. Some felt that men, particularly in volatile situations, would be better at crowd control. Others argued that everyone, generally, would be more comfortable with men and women in charge of boys and girls teams, respectively. It was more than a whim – it was the law, and schools not in compliance risked the loss of federal funds.

 Most of the outcomes were very positive. Young women trained as hard as their male counterparts and the excitement of competition saw the gyms as crowded for their contests just as it had been for the boys. They, too, vied for scholarships and recognition.

Of course, the pressure increased, and at one tournament game, I recall a young woman bursting into tears as she fouled out in the last minutes.

New traditions emerged and the girls’ teams began to play their games on the time schedule that had been reserved for the boys. Outstanding players such as Linda Johnson Freeman gained state-wide recognition, echoing the finesse and love of the game that Helena Jensen and Nancy Simpson Pearson had shown in the early days of SHS womens’ basketball.

Other sports gained prominence, too. Coach Ron Kelly began a cross-country dynasty that featured such all-state athletes as Katie Toye, and girls’ soccer teams thrived under the leadership of Heather Killion, class of 1987. Tom Griffin brought softball to a level that made Scarborough a contender for state titles for decades, and swimming emerged as a class A title threat under Coaches Kipp and Stone.

It seems fitting to me that after years of being in a supporting role the importance of coaches’ wives in the success of their husbands’ careers could be a column in itself, that womens’ sports have become front page news. As a woman and the mother of a daughter who benefited greatly from participation in competitive sports, I thank such role models as Joan Benoit Samuelson of Cape Elizabeth, who defied the biases to become the winner of the first Olympic marathon for women. What an unforgettable moment that was and what a thrill for all Mainers! Coach Ron Kelly had fortuitously invited Joan to speak to a gathering of SHS students just before the Olympics made her a household name and I still remember her soft-spoken determination. Thanks to her courage, thousands of young girls will set high goals for themselves.

It’s hard for this generation to comprehend the discrepancies of the past. Recently our neighbors attended their daughter’s collegiate rowing competition in Massachusetts A number of schools, mostly co-ed, participated. She, and they, are matter of fact about it, but I marvel. All summer I watched this young woman run the required miles per day that would condition her for her demanding sport. She is at the top of her game, physically and mentally – a testament to the value of sports participation.

Certainly, the women’s Final Four attracts its share of attention right along with the men’s and I’m satisfied that the Lady Bears supporters fill the Alfond at Orono just as the men’s teams do. We’ve come a long way since the bleacherless women’s gym that first caught my attention as a college freshman.

The future looks bright. SHS physical education teacher Jody King has introduced women’s volleyball and the team has quickly become a title contender. The lacrosse teams, both boys and girls are frequently in the upper tier at playoff time, rivaling the popularity of other spring sports which continue to thrive.

When we grow nostalgic for the “good old days” it’s important to remember that some changes have had very positive results – the benefits of Title 9 are excellent examples.

On a side note, I’d like to thank Andrew Dolloff for his years of service to SHS students and wishing him well in his new position.

Martha Williams is a former teacher at Scarborough High School and daughter of Packy McFarland who taught and coached at SHS for 26 years, and for whom the baseball field is named.