Makenna DiCaprio, 14, of Saratoga Springs, is trying out for the freshman high school football team.
The 9th-grader also competes in basketball and lacrosse. Although she didn’t play organized football on youth teams, she persisted, and finally convinced her dad she could handle tackle football with the boys last year. She earned a spot on the school’s modified team.
Her opportunities in athletics are endless.
One of her closest role models — her great aunt Laurie Petraske — never had those opportunities. But DiCaprio recently stood up in front of a packed gathering at Petraske’s celebration of life in Glenville to show how important a role model can be in a young person’s life.
Here’s what she said:
“Aunt Laurie had outstanding athleticism whether it was golf, basketball, softball or pickleball. She also was a sensational coach who left a huge impact on people's real life and athletic career. She was even crowned queen of sports night because of her athletic ability and perseverance. I hope to follow in her footsteps and continue to bring awareness to women's sports and make a positive impact on people's lives.”
Her words at the celebration were echoed by her cousin, Carah DiCaprio, 10, of Burnt Hills:
- Vote for the Women's Sports Foundation Sportswomen of the Year. The individual and team athletes earning nomination in a variety of traditional and non-traditional sports is inspirational. Go to womenssportsfoundation.org
- WNBA: The postseason is upon us. Go to WNBA.com for the schedule. The 2022 WNBA's nationally televised regular-season games across Disney's networks accounted for the league's most-viewed regular season since 2008, Disney announced this week.
- This column is sponsored by Times Union Women@Work, the Capital Region's network of business and professional women. Join today at: https://womenatworkny.com
“I was Aunt Laurie’s mini because everyone says we were both trouble. Aunt Laurie loved supporting me in all my sports and school events. She always made it clear for me to try my best in both school and sports. She always pointed out the positive and said as long as you tried your best, that’s all that matters. I will continue to be your mini troublemaker and know that I will remember all of our memories together.”
Petraske graduated from Mohonasen High School in 1973. Title IX was signed into law in 1972. In countless interviews with women for this column, I’ve chronicled the fact that upstate New York was woefully behind the rest of the country in the 1970s when it came to offering young girls and women organized sports through schools. It would be a gradual adjustment as public universities, colleges and high schools slowly provided opportunities for women — a process that continues to evolve 50 years later.
Petraske was the most athletic girl in her grade and made good trouble like Carah while doing so, testimonies at her celebration revealed. At Mohonasen she was honored for her athleticism by being “crowned queen of sports on field days.”
“Laurie’s strength and dedication to breaking barriers began” at that moment, according to a heartwarming obituary, which also detailed her career in a man’s world, becoming one of the first women in the General Electric Machinist Apprentice program, which provided her a full scholarship to the College of Saint Rose. After graduation, she started her 42-year career with G.E.
Many of those who played sports as young girls in the 1970s and 1980s were labeled “tomboys.” Often frustrated, they were also described as “troublemakers” when they spoke up. Now, girls who excel in sports are fully encouraged and applauded for their athletic achievements while being supported — for the most part — when standing up for equality.
Petraske went on to coach — including stints as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Albany College of Pharmacy and Saint Rose — and participate and organize women’s and co-ed leagues in a variety of sports.
But her most important achievement in women’s athletics might just be her influence on the two great nieces who bravely stepped up to the microphone and her role in leading a tribe of family and friends who will continue to support women and girls in sports. The legacy of people like Laurie indeed lives on.
I know others left the ceremony thinking, how can I be more like Laurie Petraske and influence young girls in sports?
One way to do it is by being present in their lives, coaching formally or informally, going to games and supporting the many fundraisers out there for youth sports teams.
And rather than spending big bucks on Yankees, Mets, Giants, Bills or Jets tickets, make plans to support the Liberty or Gotham FC and join the ever-expanding fan bases of women’s professional sports. Bring young athletes — boys and girls — to UAlbany, Siena or Saint Rose women’s soccer, basketball, softball, field hockey or lacrosse games. Or watch on television any women’s sport for that matter. Take young golfers to see the Epson Tour next year and then show them on television the stars they watched as they make it to the LPGA.
Opportunities to influence young lives are out there. Petraske took full advantage of her opportunities — and we should too. Those young athletes we inspire will lead us toward a more inclusive and better future.
Joyceb10bassett@gmail.com • @joyceb10bassett • timesunion.com/author/joyce-bassett
"lasting" - Google News
August 22, 2022 at 02:27AM
https://ift.tt/Y1HyG3o
All In: Crowned 'queen of sports,' she left a lasting legacy - Times Union
"lasting" - Google News
https://ift.tt/WBwgAoj
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "All In: Crowned 'queen of sports,' she left a lasting legacy - Times Union"
Post a Comment