February 9, 1995: Vol26n16: Croteau speaks at Women in Sports events

By NATHAN GOLDBERG
Reporter Contributor
Julie Croteau, first and only woman to play NCAA baseball, was keynote
speaker Feb. 2 when UB noted the sixth annual National Girls and Women
In Sports Day at a breakfast ceremony in Alumni Arena. For four
consecutive years, UB's observation of this day honoring women in
athletics has been the largest of any university's in the U.S. The
breakfast was attended by 350 athletes, students, faculty and guests.
	Croteau, also the first woman to coach an NCAA baseball team,
currently is starting first baseman for the Colorado Silver Bullets,
an all-female professional baseball team. She made the baseball team
at St. Mary's, a Division III school, in 1989 after fighting an
unsuccessful sexual discrimination suit against her high school for
refusing to allow her to play on their all-male baseball team although
she was well qualified. 
	Croteau spoke of the fear and intimidation she felt during the
court battle against her high school. Despite the outcome of the case,
the fact that she did not back down was of paramount importance, she
said.
	Croteau, who also described her experiences acting in the
film, "A League of Their Own," urged more women to become active in
sports, emphasizing that sports make women strong, and that this
strength makes their lives safer and more satisfying. She stressed the
importance of assuring that Title 9 continues to be observed.
	At the breakfast, the UB recognition award for advancement in
women's sport was presented to Carolyn Thomas. Thomas pointed out that
the lessons offered by athletics are invaluable to women, teaching
them to discover their motivations and their capabilities for
themselves. She spoke optimistically about the future of women in
sports, predicting that, "It will be fair, you will make it fair: you
have earned it." UB swimming coach Dorsi Reynolds made the
presentation.
	President William Greiner took the podium to give an
impassioned plea for UB students and especially athletes, to take an
active role in both school and state politics. He said that while
committed to reforming the state's budget along with Gov. Pataki, he
was distressed at he prospect of these cuts harming UB programs like
athletics.