WRITTEN BY: LORI KERANS, CLASS OF 1985
WO M E N W E A R B LU E Creating opportunities to celebrate 50 years of women’s athletics at Millikin University has not been easy.
Thankfully, Harriett Crannell, physical
In 2021-22, we will finally be privileged
Women’s Athletics Association (WAA),
intercollegiate athletics at Millikin
Frustratingly, the pandemic shut down the
at Millikin for women who wanted
to celebrate this momentous occasion in
intramurals and WAA play days and helped
can’t help but note that it seems a little
equity in intercollegiate athletics. In the
more than 50 years ago wasn’t easy, either.
me-down football jerseys discarded by the
Participating in intercollegiate athletics,
own vehicles to away competitions and
education professor and advisor to the
stood up, spoke out and persisted in taking
up the cause for women’s athletics, refusing to accept “no” as the final answer.
Coach Crannell blazed a Big Blue trail
exciting year of activities we had planned
to compete, forged the path beyond
2020-21. Disappointed as we may be, we
light the path as women journeyed toward
fitting, since the start of women’s athletics
early years, women’s teams wore hand-
often referred to around Millikin as
“wearing the blue,” is a privilege reserved for individuals willing to do absolutely
to celebrate the inception of women’s
University, a year late, and likely through a hybrid of in-person and virtual
celebrations. Nonetheless, we will have an amazing celebration and we will
share smiles, tears and gratitude for the
women who have worn the blue for the past 50 years; their family and friends
who sacrificed to make it possible; and
the coaches, administrators and faculty
who believed that women deserved the privilege of wearing the blue.
freshmen football team, often drove their
As we celebrate these first 50 years, it
packed their own food for pre- or post-
up, speak out and advocate for equitable
game meals.
anything to represent the University
Coach Crannell was a visionary and leader
blue takes commitment, selflessness and
athletics at the national level (first the
participating in intercollegiate athletics
Women, then the NCAA). Coach Crannell
to men. Women were expected to be
recognition of women’s Athletics in the
intramurals … but we were not.
conference level (1986).
and the Big Blue family. Wearing the
not only at Millikin, but also in collegiate
sacrifice. Before 1970, the privilege of
Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for
at Millikin University was afforded only
played a key role in leading toward the
satisfied by physical education classes and
NCAA (1981) and eventually at the CCIW
is important that we continue to stand opportunities. Let’s reflect upon those who have made our journey possible:
coaches, faculty, administrators, family,
roommates and friends. I will forever be grateful for my coach, academic advisor and mentor Harriett Crannell, who
inspired opportunity and equity, and for the incredible significance of women wearing the blue.
S AV E T H E D A TE
WOMEN IN ATHLETICS CELEBRATION WEEKEND MAY 13-15, 2022 S PRIN G 2021
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