Gender Differences In Sports

Each sporting event has a coach or multiple coaches called assistants. For example, the University of Oregon women’s volleyball team has one head coach, three assistant coaches, and two volunteer assistants. The amount of coaches an athletic program has is based on the type of institution. The University of Oregon women’s volleyball team would have a much larger coaching staff because it is a large university, whereas South Eugene High School would only have a limited amount of coaches. This is the person (or people) are in charge of leading individuals to victory. The reality is that coaches are there to help their players get better, whether it be their skill, attitude, or overall well-being. Most athletes have had coaches in the past that

Notice there is not a he or she in that statement. A coach should not be defined by how good (or bad) they might be based on their gender. Sure, each gender has a predetermined mindset of how they coach. A male coach is typically tough, loud, and competitive. A female coach is typically quiet, soft-spoken, and encouraging. However, who said those were not good coaching qualities? Why are female coaches not associated with being competitive? The truth is they are simply outnumbered. According to a study in 2014, it is said “Women make up approximately 23% of all head coaches at the college and university level, and even among the ranks of head coaches of women’s teams, they are a minority at 43%” (Acosta & Carpenter, 2014). After all, when looking at the coaching staff of professional teams there are not many women. The numbers do not lie. Over HALF of the head coaches in college sports are men. Not to mention that around 65% of current head coaches feel that men have it “easier” when trying to get a top-level coaching job. To add, 75% of coaches think men have a better chance at negotiating their salaries in order to increase. Do things seem equal,

These coaches include Tara VanDerveer, the head women’s basketball coach at Stanford University, and Mary Wise, the former Purdue University standout and head women’s volleyball coach at the University of Florida. Another female coach in former University of Tennessee head women’s basketball coach, Patricia “Pat” Summitt, and finally Leta Andrews, a member of the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame and winningest high school girls’ basketball coach in the United States. Each coach listed has made her mark and fought to be at the top while sharing something special: They did not let their gender define them in their abilities to be great. Here are the facts to prove it:

Patricia “Pat” Summitt – Women’s Basketball

• Head coach at the University of Tennessee from 1974-2012, for a total of 38 years

• 8 NCAA National Championships, 18 Final Four’s, and many NCAA tournament appearances

• Finished her career with a record of 1,098- 208 (.841 Win/Loss %)

Tara VanDerveer – Women’s Basketball

• Head coach at the University of Idaho from