My New Happy: Breaking Through A Very Tall Glass Ceiling

Friday, August 8, 2014

Breaking Through A Very Tall Glass Ceiling


Basketball is my favorite sport.  I played and coached through high school, and I still enjoy watching the game at every level. It was a sad day when neither of my boys showed any interest in playing.

If you aren't a basketball fan, you may not have heard of Becky Hammon.  On Tuesday it was announced that she had been hired by the San Antonio Spurs, the reigning NBA champions, as an assistant coach.  This makes her the first full time, paid coach of an NBA team, or for that matter, of any of the four major professional sports.

I'd say she just broke through a very tall glass ceiling.

Hammon is a WNBA player, currently for the San Antonio Stars, who will be retiring at the end of this season after sixteen years in the league.  She played college basketball for Colorado State and is a seven time WNBA All Star.  She's only 5'6", but she's fierce.



Not only is she a very skilled player, but her basketball IQ is off the charts. Some say she treats the court like a backgammon board, constantly assessing and adjusting during a game.  It seems she was made to be a coach, and I'm sure most WNBA teams and women's college basketball programs had their eye on her.  But the Spurs have proven once again to be a step ahead of everyone else.

Obviously we're never going to see a woman play in the NBA.  At the professional level, the men are just too big and strong for women to compete with them.  But none of that is important in coaching.

When her hiring was announced, Hammon said, "When it comes to things of the mind, things like coaching, game-planning, coming up with offensive and defensive schemes, there's no reason why a woman couldn't be in the mix and shouldn't be in the mix".

I couldn't agree more.  All week, everyone has been talking about whether she's ready or capable, and if the players will respect her.  Only time will tell, but if any woman is prepared to take this on, Hammon seems to be the one.

From this former basketball player, well done Ms. Hammon.  I wish you every success, and I'll definitely be watching.

14 comments:

  1. Wow... that is a very tall glass ceiling. My guess is that she will "shine" I'm not a follower of basketball so I hope you will keep us posted on her success. Have a good day! Suzanne

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    1. I will definitely be watching her, so I'll keep you posted. I have a feeling she will do very well.

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  2. This is super exciting and glad I got to see the day it came.

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  3. We were just talking about this yesterday. Congratulations to Ms. Hammon - and thanks for letting people know about this Lana!

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    1. I'm sure your daughter really appreciates other successful female athletes. It will be fun to watch her next year.

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  4. I love basketball, its my son's favorite sport and he has always played basketball through jr high and high school. Its my time with him when I can sit and enjoy games, I will miss it this year since he is going to college but I will still watch games, cause I'm addicted :) This is indeed great news for women especially that she is as assistant coach to the champions!

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    1. The Spurs are such a forward thinking team, so I'm not too surprised. I love watching basketball - how fun that your son played!

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  5. Good for her. Every time that someone gets somewhere on their own merit this world gets to be a little bit better place. Not only is she a woman, but 5'6? Love that she's not the norm for the job in more than one way!

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    1. Exactly! It will be really interesting to follow her career.

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  6. I love basketball! Played all my life until I married. I can sympathize with you about your boys. My 6' 8" son refused to play. Sigh. This story makes me happy. On so many levels! :)

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    1. Me too Diane! Why do our tall sons refuse to play basketball? Oh well :)

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