Breaking barriers: Women’s sports teams thrive at CSB

Women’s History Month highlights all the profound contributions and achievements women have made throughout time, which have been historically diminished due to the patriarchal nature of society. March serves as a time to recognize the vital role women have played in the progression of the world and society today.

In sports, women have not always had the opportunity to partake in them and play on teams. Thankfully this has changed, and the 11 sports teams at CSB are proof of the difference this has made. Title IX was passed in 1972, and in 1973 CSB formed its first teams: volleyball, basketball and swimming and diving. Softball was added in 1974, followed by tennis two years later in 1976. Since then, CSB has added six new sports, the newest being lacrosse, which is making its program debut this year. Each of these 11 teams have grown tremendously throughout the years and received an outpouring of support from the community. Athletic Operations Manager/Media Assistant Haley Jung said it means so much to the college to have many women’s sports teams.

“I think it shows how determined and competitive our women are at CSB. It takes a lot to be a college student and student-athlete, so the fact that we have so many who put the work in every day in the classroom and in their sport and are able to succeed tremendously in both shows how amazing these women are,” Jung said.

Jung, who is also an assistant golf coach, said her favorite part about working with the teams is watching all their growth and progress each season. She loves the family dynamic that is formed within each team. The ability for these Bennies to work together towards a shared goal while also having fun and laughing with each other is fun to witness, says Jung.

“It means so much to me to be able to work with them all and give back with the knowledge and joys I had of being a college athlete, so I can help them have a great experience like I did,” Jung said.

From being part of the first-ever CSB track and field team in 1988 to now entering her 26th season as a coach for the team, head CSB track and field and cross country coach Robin Balder-Lanoue knows first-hand what it’s like starting a program from the ground up and how important having these teams are. Balder-Lanoue remembers when she was looking at colleges, she wanted to run both cross country and track and field, but many schools didn’t have a track and field program for women. In fact, when she toured CSB, they didn’t have one, but the athletic director at the time decided that day to start a program because of Balder-Lanoue’s excitement.

In the spring of 1988, CSB debuted its first-ever track and field team. The team had a 170-yard indoor track around the SJU basketball court that they were only able to use once a week. Therefore, many of their practices were held outside, in the hallways or anywhere they could find space. For the team’s first season, they had 13 women go out for the team, which was a huge accomplishment because this was enough athletes for them to be able to take a van to their meets.

“Going from 13 women to now consistently having over 50 and as high as 70 athletes has been an incredible process,” Balder-Lanoue said.

Then in 1997, after having five head coaches in nine years, Balder-Lanoue returned to CSB to volunteer on the team because she wanted to be part of building the program.

“I knew if you were going to build a program you had to have someone that was going to stay there to see it through,” Balder-Lanoue said.

Now entering her 24th season as the head coach for both cross country and track and field, Balder-Lanoue is incredibly proud of all the progress the program has made along with the continued support from alumnae and the community. The growth, success and support all 11 of CSB’s sports teams have received over the years drives home the impact athletics have made on the lives of women, emphasizing the message behind equality within sports.

“I feel blessed to be able to work with the women on the team,” Balder-Lanoue said. “It is so rewarding to see that four years of growth and to see that confidence grow because you’re coaching confidence so much in women. When they can finally see what you see, it is so rewarding and awesome.”