Ruth Gerdeman Seggerson '82 noticed the discrepancy as a high school athlete growing up in Ohio.
She played volleyball, basketball, softball, and tennis and wore the same uniform for every sport. They would get to practice in the gym, on the field, or courts once per week late at night after the boys.
"High school sports for young women were very limited at that time," said Gerdeman Seggerson. "It was the Girls Athletic Association. It was nothing on par with the boys. No good coaching. Great people who would volunteer. We just kind of tried to figure things out. It was the early stages of women's athletics."
Each Tuesday, we will pay tribute to women who paved the way as part of our "Honoring Title IX" series.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Title IX – which helped unlock access to educational and athletic opportunities for girls and women – Siena Heights University is publishing 12 feature stories highlighting various female athletes, coaches, and administrators for their dedication and impact on campus.
Gerdeman Seggerson said she wanted to continue playing in college, and Siena Heights University presented the opportunity.
She played volleyball, basketball, and softball and competed in tennis and bowling.
As a freshman, Gerdeman Seggerson was a part of the women's basketball team in 1978-79 that went 27-2, which is the best single-season record in school history.
"It was a great group of young women to hang out with. We became really great friends as well," she said. "We had some talented seniors on the team. I think I shared a spot at the guard position or small forward. That was a really fun team. As a freshman, I really admired the seniors and how they carried themselves and how they competed."
But while Title IX was a decade old when Gerdeman Seggerson graduated from Siena Heights University in 1982, there were still some things that were slow to change.
"We didn't have a gym. The Sage Union didn't have a gym. We practiced in a rec center. We'd have to drive there for practice each day. Not the greatest facility, but we made it work. We didn't have a whole lot as far as athletic training facilities – no weight room or anything like that. We were pretty much on our own. If there was an injury, you were pretty much on your own. The coaching staff was small. Sister Mary Alice Murnen. Wonderful woman. If I remember correctly, early on – she was the coaching staff," Gerdeman Seggerson said. "I think we felt that we were on the threshold of something big, so we wanted to make sure we represented the school well and tried to play at a caliber that fans would want to come out and watch. We tried hard to grow our skills and work together well as a team. We maybe didn't have the top athletes, but we had young women with great attitudes who worked hard and wanted to improve. The coaches were very encouraging. I know I could have not have had all the experiences I had, but because I was at a smaller university, I was able to make memories with a lot of women and compete in a lot of different sports."
Her experience at SHU led her to become a teacher and coach upon graduation.
Gerdeman Seggerson retired from St. Francis de la Salle in Columbus in 2018.
She said when she watches girls compete in high school sports today, she is grateful for the facilities, coaching, and skills they have.
But there is still work to be done, she said.
"I don't know that girls get the same perks that the boys get. They don't get the same publicity," Gerdeman Seggerson said. "I really thought that with more young women getting involved in athletics, they would take over as the coaches, and it surprised me that that hasn't changed. My guess is there is still a disparity in hiring practices as well."
Looking back, Gerdeman Seggerson said she wouldn't trade her time at Siena Heights.
"It kept me busy, but it was so much fun," she said. "I am very thankful that I was able to do everything I was able to do at Siena. Good memories piling into the van heading all over the state of Michigan. I got a great education. Overall, it was just a great experience."
Gerdeman Seggerson and our other honorees will be recognized during halftime of the women's basketball game on Dec. 3. Tipoff for that game is set for 5 p.m.
Also set to be recognized:
- The late Sister Ann Joachim, early administrator
- The late Sister Alice Murnen, the first women's basketball coach/administrator
- President Sister Peg Albert
- Lisa Binkowski
- Sister Jeanne West, early administrator
- Kathi Frank, first head women's volleyball and tennis coach
- Sue Syljebeck, the first female athletic director
- Kim Berrington, the first female men's volleyball coach
- Cindy Hill, Angie Heath, Deb Ray – first head coaches/inaugural teams
- Jenny Gomoll, first head softball coach of the inaugural team
- Martha Hans, Theresa Padilla, Julie Tortora – first all-Americans from the Title IX era
