Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (March 11, 1981)
tamara swenson double play Beginning in late November, one sport begins to grab attention as America’s favorite — basketball. Almost any kid, male or female, grew up with football in the fall, basketball in the winter and baseball in the spring and summer. But unlike football and baseball, basketball was everyone's sport. Any kid of any sex or age could pick up a game at the local playground if they wanted to. In many ways, my introduc tion to the sport was different. My first memories, besides a visit to the dentist at age three, are of basketball games. My father was then a basketball coach. Back then, all the attention was focused on the boy’s teams. I didn’t attend a women's basketball game until after Title IX had worked its way into athletic jargon and my high school began supporting a women’s team. That was in 1973. Less than 10 years later, women’s basketball has emerged from power struggles and budget woes as a leader in women’s athletics. Girls that began playing competitive ball in junior high are now in college. And the caliber of play reflects the training and dedication of the athlete. “We're reaping the benefits now," says Oregon women's basketball coach Elwin Heiny. Benefits stretch from national playoffs to fans waiting for an autograph outside the locker room to full-ride scholarships. More impressively, perhaps, is the number of fans women’s basketball has begun to attract. No longer are the games stuck in small gyms with limited spectator seating. The days of 15 fans in Gerlinger Hall and popsicles after the game are gone, says Heiny. Along with equal funding came equal facilites. And with equal facilities came the potential at Oregon to attract 10,000 fans. The biggest crowd for a women s game to date has been 6,000 fans watching the Duck women defeat the Korean National Team, 68-67, in McArthur Court. Lyon’s. Headquarters for the AIAW Championships, March 27th and 29th. Before and after the games, or anytime, there is always something special at Lyon’s. For example, our complete Spaghetti Dinner, for only $3.49, is served 24 hours a day. Happy Hour specials'are available 3:30 to 6:30, seven days a week, with FREE make your own Mini-Tacos and popcorn! Or look for our Drink of the Month and weekday Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner specials posted at Lyon’s. Lyon’s. Saving money never tasted so good. m 1933 Franklin Blvd. • 484-4333 • Open 24 Hours 14” wide — 48” long — 48” high Unassembled Serve-N-Save Beltline and 99 North Open seven days PACK THE PIT For the best in Women's Basketball The 1981 ^ AIAW Division I National Basketball Championship comes to the University of Oregon. Friday March 27: 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. Sunday March 29:10:45 a.m. & 1 p.m. The top four teams in the nation battle for Number One at Mac Court. Reserve your seats NOW! Call 686-4461 or stop by the Mac Court ticket office. PACK THE PIT The Duck women have fought their way from the bottom to within reach of the top in the last four years. However, while Mac Court will be packed for a men’s game against almost anyone, the women's team continues to draw only 3,000 for a match against the best opponents. Oregon’s 12th-ranked women’s basketball team deserves more. Next Wednesday, the Ducks are likely to host a first-round national playoff game. Although the contest will be sandwiched between the high school AA playoffs and in the middle of finals week, there should be a crowd — a large crowd. After all, if the NCAA playoffs were to be held in Eugene, the Pit would be packed. Clark claims MVF award Senior center Mike Clark won two honors, including most valuable player, at the Oregon basketball awards banquet Monday night. Clark, who led the Ducks in both scoring and rebounding (15.5 and 9.0), also received the Carl Greve scholar-athlete award. Oregon's other graduating senior, Felton Sealey, was presented the John Warren Award for being chosen the team’s most inspirational player. The 1980-81 squad had the best field goal percentage in school history (50.3), led by freshman David Brantley’s school-record 59.2 percentage. Junior John Grieg’s .882 mark in free throw efficiency was also a school record. Grieg has sank his last 35 free throws — only two behind the Pac-10 record set by USC’s John Block in 1966. Coach Jim Haney, after expressing optimism for next year’s season, said, "My one regret is that Michael and Felton — who have endured so much heartache, shown so much care — cannot reap the rewards of Oregon basketball.” KINKO’S 4c Self Service COPIES ' • Binding • Two-sided copies • Reductions 344-7894 764 E. 13th
