Know Who Caitlin Clark Is? They Do

Photo by Alexis Mercer

Photo by Alexis Mercer

Photo by Alexis Mercer

By Ken De Laat

A week of covering basketball played by the young  athletes who populate our local Girls teams was sandwiched by successive Sundays spent watching Caitlin Clark set the scoring mark in the first game and a week later willing her Iowa team to a Big Ten Tournament title. Having the advantage of perspective  advanced age brings, it has been interesting to see the remarkable progress in women’s sports over the past several decades.

Side note: Folks my age like to focus on various ‘advantages’ being older brings. As if these perks outweigh other inconveniences, like the inability to move without groaning a bit and needing to plan road trips with a nod to the availability of rest stops along the way. Little wonder we gloat over senior discounts and such. “Saved 15% at Denny’s yesterday!” “Movie was half price for seniors!”
Personally I’d forego the 30% savings on car rentals for a younger pair of feet, but don’t get me wrong, I take the discounts. 
But I digress.

In 1972 Richard Nixon signed the Education Amendment Act that delivered, among many other things, the right for women in public educational institutions to have equal opportunities as did the men. Known as Title IX it included (after a bit of a fight in the House) athletics. Of course it took years for there to be anything resembling widespread compliance but it was a start and it revolutionized sports for females in this country.

And that brings me to Caitlin Clark and the high school scholar athletes who competed last week. If you haven’t already watched Clark play and can put up with the endless hype of the announcers (I opt for mute myself) pay attention when they pan the crowd. Look at the endless number of young girls watching her with the adoration usually reserved for another superstar who plays on a stage not a court.

The Girls District this past week in Newaygo featured the Lions Tigers and Packers from our coverage area and it was 3 nights of fun-to-watch basketball, coming on the heels of a tough act to follow Boys District the week before.The Friday final was another classic in a lengthy history of hard fought competition a Grant/Fremont contest brings. The dramatic back and forth game put some serious local talent on display, many who will be returning to the courts next season and beyond. These current players influence the younger girls. The middle school and elementary hoopsters  look to their Varsity players to learn what it takes to be on the team and how to improve their game and maybe how to get their parent(s) (Mom, Dad, Both) to quit yelling at the refs during games…all the important stuff. 

It’s the true trickle down effect that actually works.
If not for the many activists, advocates and allies who made this sea change happen  we may not have been privileged to watch Ms. Clark and her talented teammates… on national television, no less.
Even worse. Our local girls might still be playing with stationary guards.
What are stationary guards, you say? Look it up. Or better yet, ask your Grandma.
Then give a shout out to Title IX.

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