For decades we have faced a “glass ceiling” when it comes to sports. Empowered women have been working to help other women become aware of the barriers, and help women understand the battles they will face if they want to be coaches or administrators in sports programs or to even be a part of the sports world. In fact, I recently wrote that the time had come for all women? people? of us? to wake up and get ready to fight for the rights of women to excel in sports programs of all kinds.
That’s why I was so excited to read that the San Antonio Spurs had hired the NBA’s first full-time female assistant coach, Becky Hammon. Before Hammon there were a few female assistants in Division I men’s college basketball, but no NBA team – actually no team in any of the major U.S. men’s professional leagues – has had a full-time female assistant that has been on par with her male counterparts.
Hired for her strong background in the sport and undeniable skill, Hammon hopes the day will come when she’s just identified as an assistant, and not the female assistant. It’s an exciting time for women in sports however, and she also knows the impact she’ll have on women of all ages. After all, no one knows better the power of having your eyes opened to possibility.
“Hope and encouragement, especially hope, is probably one of the greatest things you can give another person,” she said. “I mean, what a gift to allow that person to be able to dream, to be able to say, why not me? Why couldn’t I be the first?”
Read more about Hammon’s incredible journey at USAToday.com