Teresa Mullen, now 75 years old, is a long time athlete with a passion for playing, coaching, officiating, and watching women’s sports.
Teresa started playing softball with her cousins at a very young age in a farm field with a wooden bat and 12 inch mush ball. When she was growing up there were very few opportunities for females to participate in any sports. For example, at her small high school only basketball and track were offered for girls.
After going to a two-year college, she played on a competitive, company softball league and later played in volleyball leagues. Soon she knew she also wanted to coach in order to pass on all her technical and training knowledge to young ladies eager to learn. She began by coaching softball, then added basketball and volleyball. Next Teresa passed her officiating exams for basketball, softball, and volleyball at the high school level.
Teresa still coaches, officiates, and still plays softball and volleyball in the National Senior Games held every two years. She finally won the elusive gold medal several years ago in both softball and volleyball!
In the episode Teresa and host Elizabeth Emery talk about her history as a long-time athlete, Title IX, coaching and officiating, why she prefers to play on women’s teams, changes she has seen in women’s sports, flag football, half-court basketball, managing the limitations of getting older, and the joy of watching young female athletes take advantages of all the opportunities now available. Teresa loves watching her daughter (a former college softball player) coach her twins in basketball and softball.
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