Inspiring Female Coaches in Sports History by Women Sports USA

By Denise George

I began my professional coaching career in the fall of 1976, just a few months after graduating at the age of 21. But I started coaching much younger. As you know, I was unable to actually play organized sports because of my gender. Imagine being made to feel “not good enough” as a child? But not because I wasn’t good, I truly was, but rather because I was just a female. Discrimination was rampant in the 60s, we didn’t know it as such as children.

Okay, back to coaching. I started coaching boys' teams as a child. My neighbor and friend of my Dad's, a gentleman named Ralph Pellicano, had me help him coach his offensive line in the neo Pop Warner Football Association. I didn’t know much, but he taught, and I listened and learned.

I was maybe 10, but the boys respected my athletic prowess. All I cared about was being involved in what I loved. I was also a darn good scorekeeper for the West Side Little League farm team coached by Pete Gallogly, another friend's dad. As a teenager, I worked alongside John “Jack” Lewis to help with his son’s Little League baseball team.  I was instrumental in starting the use of a relief pitcher at West Side. The boys could only pitch six innings a week, but because of the weather, they sometimes had three games and only two viable pitchers. I suggested a four-inning start with two  in relief from someone other than starter 2. So, each boy had six innings…starters four, relievers four, and each had two innings remaining for game three, when necessary. So much for my coaching start, again because girls couldn’t play. 

Back to high school coaching, my professional start. I coached alongside a RI Legend,  Patti Downs. We coached basketball. I was her assistant junior varsity coach for 4 years. Except for facilities (the boys had a varsity locker room) and equipment (weights and a whirlpool), things were pretty fair. So Coach Downs retired in 4 years, and I was flagged to succeed her. However, things were still radically different from what my college ivory towers had taught me. The male boys’ basketball coach resigned his position and was appointed the girls’ head coach. He had more experience and seniority than I did.

No brainer. It appeared Title IX had a small flaw. Women were not coaching girls. The men had more experience. I mean, how could they not? Girls' sports were in their infancy, and young women could not match up in experience with men who had decades of coaching experience—sidelined once again! I did continue coaching. Another city school needed an assistant, and their coach fought to get me onboard. It was tough teaching at one high school and coaching a rival across the city. So much for loyalty and continuity. I did eventually return to my school and coached the varsity girls’ basketball team. That also meant coaching against the kids I had coached. Quite a strain on a young coach. It was often quite unpleasant. 

I think I’ll end here for a while. Please think about adding your story. It’s pretty cathartic to clear the air. To realize you are not alone, and our history empowers you.

For me I love educating and empowering women. Do not forget your history. We are still struggling.

Remember our past and be a part of our future!

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