2008 Woodie Awards
Honoring Coach H
Tara DeMarzo
Issue date: 2/17/05 Section: Sports
National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is celebrated on Feb. 9. NGWSD is recognized in all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies and activities honoring the achievements and encouraging the participation of girls and women in sports. The College's athletic department honored women in sports by joining forces with the community service office and inviting local Allentown girls for an afternoon of sports and fun. In light of NGWSD I want to honor the memory of Helene Hospodar, a pioneer in women's athletics here at the College.
The theme of this year's NGWSD is "More Than a Game," and these words rang true of Helene's philosophy as well. Athletic Director Sam Beidleman explained this philosophy stating, "people were more important to her than wins. She never ever lost sight of the educational purpose of athletics whether it was intercollegiate, intramural or recreational."
Connie Kunda was a close friend of Hospodar's; the two worked together in the public school system before coming to the College. Kunda was the College's former Senior Women's Administrator, associate director of athletics, and she also served as interim athletic director.
Kunda recapped Hospodar's presence at the College. "She encouraged her players to have fun in whatever sport or activity they chose. She was a proponent of women in sports and was very supportive in making sure that women had equal opportunities. She was always willing to give of her time and expertise to get a women's sport off the ground" said Kunda.
Hospodar was involved in virtually every aspect of women's athletics at the College. According to head softball coach Ruth Gibbs, Helene was a "pioneer of women sports in the Lehigh Valley. She was someone who was well ahead of her time as far as getting young women involved in sports and when she was here at Muhlenberg she opened a lot of doors and got a lot of things going."
Head tennis coach Linda Andrews agrees with Coach Gibbs adding, "Helene was a feisty woman." Andrews explained Hospodar's demeanor stating that she never settled once she set her mind to improving an aspect of the women's sports program.
The theme of this year's NGWSD is "More Than a Game," and these words rang true of Helene's philosophy as well. Athletic Director Sam Beidleman explained this philosophy stating, "people were more important to her than wins. She never ever lost sight of the educational purpose of athletics whether it was intercollegiate, intramural or recreational."
Connie Kunda was a close friend of Hospodar's; the two worked together in the public school system before coming to the College. Kunda was the College's former Senior Women's Administrator, associate director of athletics, and she also served as interim athletic director.
Kunda recapped Hospodar's presence at the College. "She encouraged her players to have fun in whatever sport or activity they chose. She was a proponent of women in sports and was very supportive in making sure that women had equal opportunities. She was always willing to give of her time and expertise to get a women's sport off the ground" said Kunda.
Hospodar was involved in virtually every aspect of women's athletics at the College. According to head softball coach Ruth Gibbs, Helene was a "pioneer of women sports in the Lehigh Valley. She was someone who was well ahead of her time as far as getting young women involved in sports and when she was here at Muhlenberg she opened a lot of doors and got a lot of things going."
Head tennis coach Linda Andrews agrees with Coach Gibbs adding, "Helene was a feisty woman." Andrews explained Hospodar's demeanor stating that she never settled once she set her mind to improving an aspect of the women's sports program.