The Official Site of the Houghton University Highlanders

[See newspaper clippings from those years]

The launch of intercollegiate athletics in 1967 allowed Houghton College student-athletes to showcase their skills outside the walls of the college and to face a higher level of competition they found on campus.
 
While the first two years were limited to men's teams, growing interest by women in Houghton's physical education courses and the hiring of a young female faculty member in that department in the summer of 1969 provided the perfect opportunity for intercollegiate women's sports to be added.
 
That coach, Linda Schaible Zimmerman, says that the possibility of intercollegiate athletics for women was a key discussion point during her interview. "I pushed for it before I signed my contract. I felt it was important. I knew what it meant for me when I was in college. I wanted that for others," she says.
 
By the time the 1969-70 spring semester rolled around, the dream of women's intercollegiate sports at Houghton College had become a reality. Women's basketball was approved to play two games that spring against Gannon College.
 
One small problem… there really wasn't a varsity basketball team at that point. However, there was a strong contingent of women playing class basketball, so the young coach knew where to go to find some players. "I just put the word out that we were having a varsity basketball team," says Zimmerman. But she did point out that it wasn't a come-one, come-all invitation. "The ladies that showed up to practice all the time and put the energy into them made the team," she adds. Zimmerman also had her 3-D criteria for making the team: Desire, Determination and Dedication.
 
Those players with the 3-D intangibles came together into a cohesive unit under Zimmerman's leadership during that short first season. The team won both games against Gannon and then earned a close 46-45 victory over Roberts Wesleyan at home. "It was a start," says Zimmerman. "They were ready for it and worked hard for it."
 
The team that first season included Judy Stockin, Mary Jane Greer, Linda Moore, Jacquelyn Howe, Sharon Nestler, Judi Cook, Beth Thompson, Tanya Hildebrandt, Candy Morgan, Chris Hamill, and Delores Wells.
 
By the time the 1970-71 season rolled around, women's basketball had a more formalized schedule of seven games in place. The roster also looked a bit different. New additions included Donna Cole, Carolyn Leach, Carla Crockett, Kathy Robinson, Nancy Earhart, Jean Lake, Norma Burton, Carol Young, Jacqueline McDonald, Vivian Halberg, Cathy Greer, Barb Jones, Barb Jacobs, Karen Hochuli, Vangie McCone, Eileen Gentile and Penny Matthews.
 
Despite the "new look" roster, the commitment to the 3-Ds remained under Coach Zimmerman, and the results were the same: Another perfect record. The team went 7-0 with wins against D'Youville, University of Buffalo, Roberts Wesleyan, Canisius, University of Rochester, Spring Arbor and St. Bonaventure.
 
Even though she played many sports throughout high school, Carolyn Leach '74 didn't know what to expect as a first-year intercollegiate athlete and thought she wouldn't be up to college-level competition. But she and her teammates easily made the transition. "Being on the basketball team gave me a group to be a part of," says Leach. "And we were winners. We could successfully compete against schools much larger than Houghton."
 
Leach and other members of the team said they never really thought about the significance of being the foundation of intercollegiate women's athletics at Houghton until notified of this honor. "I'm pleased to be a part of a group of women, who, with God's blessing, helped set the stage for those who followed to create a long line of tradition on campus and in the world. It's nice to be a part of even a small bit of history."
 
Teammate Vangie McCone Pearson agrees with Leach on the significance of this honor: "It thrills me that we laid the footprints for future girls to have intercollegiate sports at Houghton. I treasure the two years I spent at Houghton, the many friendships and experiences I had there. Being inducted into the Hall of Honor is very special. Thank you, Coach Schaible, for all the training and encouragement."
 
The launch of Title IX in 1972 created new opportunities for female athletes and fueled the rapid growth of intercollegiate sports at institutions across the country. Houghton athletics joined the growth. Since that first group of ladies took to the court against Gannon in February 1970, many wins – and losses -- have followed. Teams have been added. Conference, regional and national championships have been won. But the focus during the past 48 years has always been about the pursuit of "Excellence for the Glory of God."
 
This group of women were inspired to compete with passion, excelled on the court and in life, and followed their desire, dedication and determination to establish a legacy of excellence for future Highlander teams to follow.