I don't want to rehash this conversation, but I don't doubt that's what they'd say. Most of them have been coached by men over the course of their careers, and there are male coaches they respect on the panel -- they aren't going to call them out, and my guess is there was a follow up statement saying "but we do need more women in coaching" because there always is. Current players will say how much they love their current coach, or their past coaches. That's natural. But regardless of what they say, it doesn't change that 58 percent of female NCAA athletes are coached by men -- that means more than three out of every four collegiate coaching jobs go to men (because there are so few women coaching men). That's a number that has been forced up by the money Title IX demanded be spent -- before that 90 percent of college coaches for women's sports were women. I think being proactive is the only way to bring those numbers into more appropriate balance because it's not happening on its own. The numbers have remained stagnant, increasing at .3 percent a year.
Agree with Ainslie Lee, in her June 7th, Gatorsports article regarding the Gator Softball Season. She expounded on the exceptional prowess of Amanda Lorenz’s career at UF and that maybe we should remove the “Volunteer” label from her title before some other team hires her away. It’s just a no brainer that she should be able to provide a unique experience in coaching up players at the plate. Provided she would be receptive to such a promotion.
I believe they can only have two paid assistant coaches on staff. She doesn't just show up to games to coach first, she is at practice and I'm sure she helps the girls already. I'm not against a Lorenz promotion by any means, just don't see how it would change anything other than her bank account.
Well, Rothrock and Ava Brown certainly would project to do that. As I said, optimally we get a transfer arm for next year, Delbrey develops as expected, and Hightower can come back from injury.
I was talking to her at the field, and I asked her if she was going to retire here. Her answer was, if when I stick my finger on that little device and the door keeps opening I will be here. If it doesn’t I know he is through with me. I believe she would be very amenable to that offer. And, it would mean our batting coach would be gone. Win win.
Hey @sandman70 @notexgator and @scrappygator -- Now that things have settled down a bit, you mentioned the player's families, but any comments on the atmospherics of the WCWS -- stadium, people, experience, etc.? That's on my bucket list, penciled in for 2024 for obvious reasons.
As always it is a great environment! The only bad crowd is UCLA. OU rightly believes they are the best. The other fans are very friendly and talkative. Tons of Select Softball players attend the games with their uniforms on which makes you feel that the future of women's softball is in great hands. Food cost are reasonable, plenty of paid parking near by or free parking with a semi regular shuttle from the race track about .5 miles away. As always if you get a day game wear lots of sunscreen!! I am sure scrappy and sandman will add to this but obviously it is super fun to go, especially with friends who enjoy the game and experience as much as you do.
I was so happy to read that Ainslie has even jumped on the removal of Aric bandwagon. I also personally know that another prominent writer is about to release his thoughts on the removal of both of our assistants which I whole heartily agree and have agreed with for the last 3 years. As a "non paid" assistant, you can only coach so much. As an example look at Kelly Rae who was an assistant and the team sucked but as a head coach, the team thrived. At least Amanda is young, female (not over 45), been there and commands respect from the players and fans.
I wish you had a chance to talk one on one with Coach Walton. Maybe then you would understand how difficult it is to achieve and maintain the level of success that you are expecting.
Hope I am wrong about Pal but color me unimpressed by a very low level D1 transfer who was first in a below average JC program. I would rather have seen us get the MI pitcher or one of the Big 3 from Ala.
Why no love for Aric? 2019: .264 BA, .788 OPS 2021: .277 BA, .840 OPS 2022: .314 BA, .835 OPS Seems like we're moving in the right direction. Go GATORS! ,WESGATORS