Jan. 23, 2002 Focus Page 11 Behind the game: Class travels to experience the history of women’s sports Kristin Simonetti Reporter Few Elon students can claim that they stood on the hallowed ground of the basketball court at Thompson-Boling Arena. In fact, even less probably know actually what Thompson-Boling Arena is, where it is located and why it is in any way significant to the average American. Ten Elon students could tell you. As part of “The His tory of Women in Sport,” the Winter Term class created and led by Elon head volleyball coach Sue Leonard, traveled to Knoxville, Tenn., during the beginning days of se mester to learn about the history of women’s bas ketball and its modern- day heroes. This is the third year Leonard has taught this course. In past years, the class taken a five-day trip to the Women’s Basket ball Hall of Fame, the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. Forced to plan a shorter trip, Leonard chose Knoxville as the destination for this year’s class. “Women’s basketball really had so much more relevance to this class,” Leonard said. “And it’s close.” Arriving early in the afternoon Jan. 8, students had the opportunity to tour the three-year- old Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in downtown Knoxville. From the pseudo-locker room, ■where guests can watch the great est women’s basketball coaches give halftime speeches, to the ring of fame, featuring over 50 en shrined jerseys. The museum lived up to its bill ing as one of the most interactive in the nation. But the student’s fa vorite area of the museum had to be the downstairs playground, where they shot hoops on a real “basket,” a modern basket and practiced drills. “It’s a museum completely de voted to women’s basketball,” class member Sarah Farley said. “It’s special because of that.” That evening the students ar- Photo courtesy of Kelli Sharpe The class travelled to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn. Pictured above are Sa rah Farley, Katie Newby, M.K. Spear, Ashley Simms, Erin Flynn, Jennifer Hildebrand, Kristin Simonetti, Gillian Stagg, Ashley Staff and Kelli Sharpe. rived at Thompson-Boling Arena, home to the six-time national cham pion University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers. Leonard said it was im portant for the students to visit this national symbol of women’s basket ball triumph. “To see a top, premier basketball team and see what they do is very relevant to this class,” she said. “It’s so impressive.” The Lady Volunteers soundly defeated the Old Dominion Lady Monarchs with the aid of team stars Michelle Snow and Kara Lawson, as well as the team’s legendary coach Pat Head Summitt. Follow ing the game, students had the op portunity to go on the court and meet a few of the players. Leonard’s students thoroughly en joyed the experience. “It was impressive how many people were there, considering it was a women’s game,” Erin Flynn said. “It’s starting to be considered seriously. You can see how women’s sports are advancing.” The following morn ing, they had an oppor tunity few can claim to have: the privilege of a tour of the Lady Volun teers’ locker room. “The coolest thing was the tra dition pole,” Flynn said, referring to a large pad ded cylinder adorned with the UT Lady Vols logo and signed by all the graduated members of the Lady Vols. Underclassmen are not permitted to touch the pole until graduation, and they face conse quences at the hands of Coach Summitt upon in fringement. From the oak lockers, spacious showers and fully-stocked Coca- Cola fridge to the pool table, leather couch, big- screen TV and glimmer ing trophy cases, the Lady Volunteers enjoy all the spoils of their victories. Students explored the court and athletic center, meeting and talking with Lawson in the process. The trip proved an enjoyable and educational experi ence for the students, who re turned to Elon with stories and pictures to share that afternoon. The trip to Knoxville will be unforgettable to many students in the class, and made many re alize the strength of character women in sports possess. “It was the highlight [of the class],” Flynn said. h limited number of schokmhlps are available fdr non»rti.asic and non-* performing art.s maJorS' who wish to join ChorEl.e. That's right, YOU can.... tst S"hl, for oyr current, rati«s of wcmen to mm m 5“ 1» in. joiniji^; Ctorale. No iydttion rcaqiiimi ics pin Ctioralc, but th«rc a aydMofs for a scholarship. A Eion UnivQ^ity CH0RfU£ for TODTie infoni>iit»0n Pr, Simphiiin A. Fuwl.i, Jt5681 u vrw'w .elon.ed f [SMON Start 2002 out on the right foot. Join The Pendulum staff. Come by our office in l^oseley 233 12-5 p.m. Monday - Friday. 5.000 ANY SALON SERVICE With Coupon Students Only $16.00 minimum service "Voted Best Salon In Alamance County"" Offering: Body Wraps * Facials Hair * Nails * Tanning * Color * Perms * Waxing 336.229.4247 MoiKiay & I'riday - 9 a.in. - (> p.m. Tuesciaii thru ThurscJcnj - 9 a.m. - s p.m. .4i.P Burlington, NC