March 2005

Parent to parent: Sports enrich students' lives

By Mom Marion

Like most parents, I want my college-age children to be physically fit. It's good for their bodies and good for their mental health.

Nevertheless, I have been prejudiced against sports at college, holding the view that they are a "frill" -- and an overemphasized frill, at that. It seemed to me that college should be about educating the intellect.

Then my daughter fell in love with the son of a UC Davis coach.

Suddenly, and despite my prejudice against college sports, I was immersed in the action. I followed Coach Sue William's cross country team in the newspaper, attended award nights and helped out at a race. I was awed by the students who ran so hard.

A new tradition

Last month, Sue invited me to UC Davis' first celebration of "National Girls and Women in Sports Day," where I was treated to speeches by coaches; a team physician; a player for the Sacramento Monarchs; and Kelly Albin, our own student who was named 2004 Woman of the Year by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

These women, young and old, educated me. I heard how their lives were enriched by athletics, and two of them spoke about their parents, who fought for them to participate in sports that weren't, at the time, considered right for women.

Messages for all

I listened to the speakers' advice to the next generation of female athletes.

"Don't let fear of failure handcuff you."

"Set priorities; find a balance."

"Work hard."

"Find something you're passionate about."

"Be yourself."

You don't have to be a high-level competitive athlete to connect with messages like these. Just being a parent, and wanting the best for my children, helps me see that I need to open my mind to athletics, and to be happy that at UC Davis 7,000 students participate in intramural sports and many more work out. Just because some institutions fall prey to excesses, doesn't mean that sports are a frill.

Strong body. Strong mind.

The Greeks were right.

Newspaper columnist Marion Franck is the mother of a first-year graduate student and a college sophomore. She has worked with UC Davis students as a lecturer.

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