Something happened in November.
No. Not the earthquake. It was more unusual than that.
A former women’s coach, Dr. Catherine Brown, was inducted into the National Field Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame. She was the first female coach at OU to receive an honor of this magnitude. Apparently this is classified information, for the university publications, the student newspaper and the Athletics Department did their level best to keep this a secret, although they were notified about it in a timely fashion. If you get to see the program from the event, you will notice a congratulatory ad that purports to be from the university. OU did not pay for this positive publicity. I did, so she wouldn’t be the only honoree without recognition from her employer.
She joins several other revered coaches, including Bob Wren (Wren Field): Baseball (1978); Kermit Blosser (Kermit Blosser Athletics Hall of Fame): Golf (1980); and club Ice Hockey coach Craig McCarthy (2011). Stan Huntsman: Track & Field (1995) was selected after he left Ohio University and was working for another institution. In my research, I learned that despite impressive records, neither Jim Snyder (men’s basketball) nor Bill Hess (football) have received such distinction at this time.
I am disappointed, but not surprised, that Ohio University continues to downplay or ignore the achievements of women. It is a well established tradition. I fervently hope someone who works there will eventually come to the realization that the accomplishments of women are at least as important as the contributions of men, and should be honored in the same manner.
Dr. Brown contributed significantly toward the development of Women’s Athletics and equality for women at Ohio University. She was dedicated to OU. She deserves more respect than she has received.
Kim Brown is the director emerita of undergraduate student services and a former field hockey and lacrosse coach at Ohio University.
