Tina Cressant's story

I went to high school just as Title IX was beginning and I remember when girls weren’t treated the same as boys were. In fifth grade the girls square danced while the boys were outside playing softball. In seventh grade the girls had to purchase hideous gym uniforms called “jumpers” while the boys were allowed to wear t-shirts and shorts.

Finally, in high school when the girls stayed inside for square dancing while the boys went outside to play football, I spoke up and protested. My teacher was not only unsympathetic; she reminded me that my participation in square dancing, or lack thereof, would impact my grade. She also told me that as captain of my soccer and tennis teams, I was not showing “leadership qualities” by protesting. I didn't agree. In fact, I thought I was taking a leadership stand by expressing my feelings about what I considered unfair.

Luckily, not everyone was as unresponsive as my gym teacher. In particular, my tennis coach, Larry Mayer was a wonderful, supportive influence and I was lucky to have him on my side. At graduation he successfully fought my gym teacher to give me the Coaches Award and I went on to play varsity tennis at the University of Connecticut (UConn). My UConn experience led me to realize there were many talented women playing a multitude of sports and that there were so many choices beyond what I experienced in my small high school. I loved the competition that playing for a Division I school offered and I am grateful to my high school coach for instilling in me the confidence that I could compete at that level.

After graduating from college I played in tennis and paddle tennis leagues and competed at national levels, which was fun. But I wasn't ready to give up team sports like softball, basketball and soccer. I found a lack of organized sports league for women, but slowly I've seen this trend change and now I see more instances where women are able to participate in these sports.

For the past five years, I’ve been playing in a women’s soccer and a men's basketball league. I'd prefer playing in women’s leagues but the closest women’s basketball league I can find is over an hour away. I'm usually the only female on the court and it isn’t always easy. In my league we’ve worked through issues like men not wanting to pass me the ball, or always having me guard the worst player or me being guarded by our opponent’s worst player because the guys were worried how some of the better players would react if they were matched up against a female. It can get pretty physical at times and my teammates feel they have to step in and protect me so we've had some conversations where I've let them know that I appreciate their concern, but I can handle myself. Now, the men are extremely supportive of my participation. One teammate told me that he tells his six and seven-year-old daughters about me and explains that women can play competitive basketball, too.

Today, I'm a professional trainer. I practice what I teach and make good health and fitness a high priority in my own life. Many of the people I train are not just carpooling and sitting on the sidelines watching their children’s sports; they're playing individual and team sports themselves. I attribute that to Title IX. I hope some day to see more of my peers out on the court with me.

Tina Cressent, CPT