Boston College honors three for leadership in sports equity
Boston College has rolled out the red carpet for a pair of retired Quincy public school physical education teachers and a youth coach from Hanover.
Last Sunday, at half time during the women's basketball game against the University of Maine, BC's athletic department honored Mary Lydon of Weymouth for her leadership in gender equity in sports. BC presented Lydon with The Heights Award, making her the sixth recipient of the honor recognizing Massachusetts residents who have made significant contributions to women's athletics.
Paul Needham of Hanover received his award during the Boston College-New Hampshire basketball game on Dec. 5.
He began coaching basketball and softball in Hingham's Girls Athletic League and in the local CYO program. He later served as a college coach at several institutions, including Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Newbury College, Wheelock College, Brandies University, and University of Massachusetts at Boston.
This Thursday during half time of the BC-Harvard University game, Mary Pratt of Quincy will receive the recognition.
"I was surprised when I was informed that I would receive the award," said Lydon. "I think it was Cathy Inglese" -- the BC women's basketball coach -- "who put me up for the award. I taught a few classes at BC when she was hired as coach, and I got to know her."
The honor is sponsored by BC and the Massachusetts State Lottery.
"The intent of The Heights Award is to recognize those people who work tirelessly to create opportunities and inspire others to become involved in women's athletics," state Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, who serves as lottery chairman, said in a statement.
Lydon grew up in Roxbury and had a knack for coaching at an early age. She served as a CYO coach at St. John's Church in 1950 when she was in college. Later, she became a physical education teacher in the Quincy school system. She was also a basketball and softball official.
Pratt was a colleague in Quincy and has been a friend of Lydon's for more than 40 years. Pratt is best remembered as one of the Boston women who ventured to the Midwest in the 1940s and '50s and played in the All-American Girls' Baseball League, made popular by the 1992 movie "A League Of Their Own," starring Geena Davis.
Lydon and Pratt have worked tirelessly for the New Agenda: Northeast, a group that promotes girls' and women's sports in the region. They train women officials and organize workshops for leadership, sportsmanship, training, and nutrition.
When the two were youngsters, organized athletic opportunities for high school and college women were limited. They were pioneers who overcame the obstacles and worked to make sure that young women have the opportunities that were not available to them. Lydon is chairwoman of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association's Girls and Women in Sport Committee, which also serves as the Girls and Women in Sport Equity Committee.
