We've Come a Long Way Baby

I have been waiting a long time for tonight - 249 women received our long. overdue Athletic Letters at a first rate dinner and ceremony in the new, several hundred million dollar Matt Arena basketball court. During 1968-1972 I was on the U of O women's varsity swim team. Back then, women athletes were not acknowledged at all. We had no financial or equipment backing. Heck - we had no equipment except what we as individuals supplied. There were no scholarships. We car pooled to away games. Our facilities were second rate. Our exercise field was the Pioneer cemetery because after the ROTC building was burned during an anti-VietNam campus riot, we could no longer use their parade ground. The swim team swam in a pool that was 5 yards too short, making timing nearly impossible but women were not allowed in the regulation size, "men's" pool. What a thrill to see my name scroll across the arena marquee; to talk with other female athletes; to share in their pride and to walk across the stage to receive my letter.