Woman who pushed gender equality in sports honored today

When Anita Aldrich attended a Missouri high school in the early 1930s, her options were limited in terms of organized recreation. \nThere were athletic options for girls at her school: She could play volleyball or she could play basketball. Neither team was very organized -- a game would usually be arranged when two school's principals contacted one another. Aldrich relishes her memories of playing high school basketball, but she felt there was a need for more gender equality in athletics. \nAldrich will be honored by the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and its department of Kinesiology at noon today for her pioneering efforts in creating opportunities for women to compete in collegiate athletics. \n"I don't see my life as a success," Aldrich said. "I always did what I thought was the right thing to do. I've always tried to tell the truth and be up front with people. My parents always said to be yourself and that's what I did."\nAldrich, 92, was the chairperson of IU's department of physical education from 1964 to 1980. She was the first woman appointed to the athletics committee in 1971 and the first woman to serve as chairperson for that committee from 1978 to 1985. In 1996, Aldrich was inducted into IU's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.\nIn 1971, Aldrich successfully petitioned the then-president of IU for funding to have the women's basketball team recognized in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, which eventually became the NCAA. She also lobbied for equal practice facilities. At the time, the women's basketball team practiced and played its games in Assembly Hall, while the men's team practiced in the HPER building. Aldrich felt playing and practicing on the same court left the women's team at a competitive disadvantage when it came to playing other Big Ten teams.\nAldrich is still active at IU and in the Bloomington community. She lives in a Bloomington apartment and has been to two women's basketball games this year, despite having to give up driving due to health reasons. Being around young people is what she misses most about working in the University.\n"I really believe that young people will bring change about," Aldrich said. "I tried to do my part when I was coming through the world and I went to the places where I thought I could help. I have faith in young people."\nProfessor and chairperson of the department of Kinesiology John B. Shea is an admirer of both Aldrich and the work she did when she was with IU. Shea pointed out that he now holds the same position Aldrich once did, although it has been renamed. He explains the significance of the honoring ceremony.\n"Great institutions pay homage to their leaders of the past, because we need new leadership for the future," Shea said. "We need to mentor young professionals in this category. By letting the school provide this plaque for her, we provide a model of success to young people."\nSenior Leah Enterline plays on the IU women's basketball team and is a student in the HPER. She is majoring in both physical education and teacher education. Enterline does not know Aldrich personally but is aware of her legacy in both the school of HPER and women's athletics.\n"Women's athletics have come a long way," Enterline said. "It's really great to see people like Aldrich being honored for their contributions."\nDespite all her personal success and today's ceremony honoring her, Aldrich remains very modest.\n"Like I said at the Hall of Fame (induction), 'as I stand at this podium I see all the people that belong here,'" Aldrich said. "I could not have done it alone."\nA plaque commemorating today's honor will be hung in HPER, Room 112, between two blank plaques that will one day be used to honor other people who have impacted HPER. The inscription on the plaque reads: "Dr. Anita Aldrich is one of the most respected national leaders in the field of physical education and in the history of Kinesiology. She is considered a visionary and pioneer in creating opportunities for women to compete in intercollegiate athletics."\nThe dedication ceremony will be held from noon to 1 p.m. today in the Indiana Memorial Union Coronation Room.