ADRIAN, Mich. -- The foundation created during Lisa Binkowski's '75 time as a four-sport athlete at Siena Heights University laid the foundation for her to continue creating opportunities as a coach and administrator.
Binkowski attended Siena Heights from 1971-75 and then stayed on as a graduate assistant coach for another season.
Siena Heights was the first time Binkowski had a chance to play basketball for a team for the first time. She was cut in high school because she was told she was too small.
Binkowski played basketball for four years and volleyball, tennis, and bowling for one season each. Then, in 1976, Sister Mary Alice Murnen asked Binkowski to be the assistant coach for women's basketball, volleyball, and fast-pitch softball. She also was living in the residence halls and was in charge of one of the floors.
Each Tuesday, we will pay tribute to women who paved the way as part of our "Honoring Title IX" series.
"I chose Siena because it was close to home, but mostly because they had a basketball team! I loved basketball but never made the team in high school; they said I was too small. My first year, we played in the lower level of Sage Hall. It wasn't a full-size basketball court – in fact – there were large pillars on each sideline, literally on the lines! You had to be really careful going after loose balls," Binkowski said. "The men's basketball team got to practice from 7 to 9 p.m., and our practice was from 9 to 11 p.m. We didn't have trainers or any assistants. Sr. Mary Alice drove to all of our games. The cafeteria packed sandwiches for the road games. I don't remember ever complaining about inequities; that's all we knew. I was just so grateful for the opportunity to play."
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.
Binkowski said there aren't records from her earliest days at SHU, but she was the offensive player for her team for two seasons and received recognition for her superior play in their conference.
"There were never any scholarships awarded during my days. We played because we wanted to," she said. "A few of us from the basketball team played on multiple teams because back then, coaches weren't out recruiting for their teams. I loved it all."
It was after her playing days that Binkowski saw a glimpse of her future. Sister Mary Alice Murnen showed Binkowski the ropes as a grad assistant.
"I was her right-hand woman," Binkowski said of Murnen. "The years I spent at Siena changed and enriched my life in more ways than I can describe. Being able to play college sports at Siena and then assist with three programs led me to other opportunities. I do think being involved in the early stages of Siena athletics and then helping with ushering in new programs helped lay the groundwork for future athletes and programs. I also made lifelong friends through my years of playing and coaching. And being a colleague of Sr. Mary Alice was special; she was an amazing pioneer, and I learned a lot from her. We remained friends until she passed away."
Binkowski went on to coach women's basketball, volleyball, and tennis at Owens Community College for 15 years. She was the athletic director there her last nine years and convinced the school to restart the women's basketball program, and the men's basketball program won a national championship during Binkowski's tenure.
She later went on to become the Director of Student Activities and Recreation at Lourdes University and then assistant athletic director. Binkowski is now retired.
"By the time I got to Lourdes, and we started the athletic programs there, I think we did a good job of creating equitable opportunities for women. I think the awareness and expectations of Title IX have improved things greatly since its beginning," Binkowski said. "How can we improve? By guaranteeing that, every little girl can chase their dreams, no matter how big or small they are. I think the mandates ensure that colleges and universities are compliant. But smaller communities and underserved populations need and deserve opportunities, too."
Binkowski 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
- Ruth Gerdeman Seggerson '82
- 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
