Dads: Important role models for female athletes

While I know that not all female athletes have fathers (nor do they need them to be successful), I find it important on this Father’s Day to recognize the positive impact dads can have on the female athlete experience.

First, it’s important to point out that men make up the majority of female athlete coaches. While I understand the Women’s Sports Foundation’s POV on this issue continues to (rightfully) focus upon the lack of women in the profession (which is a problem), I also believe it’s important to talk about the men who do coach girls. Often times, these men are dads: supportive role models who have a vested interest in a woman’s future as an athlete.

Take, for instance, fathers like Richard Williams, the father of Serena and Venus, two of the most well-known tennis players in the world. Serena and Venus’ careers started on the Compton public tennis courts, where her father encouraged their development.

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Running in the Race For the Cure

Saturday morning, I was among the 50,000 participants in the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure, a 5K event held in Washington, DC. The event raised $4.9 million to fund the breast cancer research community health programs for the medically underserved in the National Capital area.

Next year, the event will be named the “Susan G. Komen Global Race For the Cure,” as the event is now a global leader in the breast cancer movement.

It was a hot one on Saturday morning — temperatures reached a high of 98 degrees. With 50,000 sweaty bodies around you, I’d say it feels like that temperature almost doubles. And for some reason, when you’re on the National Mall, it feels hotter than ever.

But I got it in in about 30 minutes. 10 minute mile with a delayed start and extraordinary heat — not too bad.

Seeing all those people come out for this event really says something. With all those people at the event, it shows great support — but it also means that breast cancer is a real problem in this country.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 182,460 women in the United States will be found to have invasive breast cancer in 2008. About 40,480 women will die from the disease this year. Right now there are about two and a half million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

Taking action by participating in events such as the Komen Race for the Cure or the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life shows support toward a better future. I’d like to congratulate all the survivors, individuals, companies and sponsors for participation and support.