The beginning of girls sports

During the 1980s, girls sports were beginning to rise in popularity. Growing participation and encouragement led to the success that continues in girls sports at the high school.

Associate Dean Lisa Redding, Class of ‘89, played on the girls softball team and competed with the swim team. Growing up in Boston and Cambridge, she never went to an elementary school in Brookline but found that participating in high school sports quickly integrated her into the community.

In 1988, the girls swim team, which Redding was a part of, won the championship title for the Suburban League. Redding said the ability to participate on a sports team, especially a winning one, influenced the way she thought about herself.

“In my mind, we were just so badass. We all felt like we were bigger than anything, walking around with our swim jackets, varsity jackets and such. It gave me, personally, and many I know, confidence. And being part of an athletic team and doing well is always a bonus,” Redding said.

Redding’s swim team also left their own mark on the high school’s history. In the 1980s, the pool water at the high school appeared green and Redding said the team viewed the color as their “signature”. On their way to one meet, athletes took a mason jar of their pool water, added green food coloring and upon arriving at the meet, they dumped the green water into the pool.

Redding said experiences like she had on the swim team created unity and bonding for girls teams.

“It’s just gotten better. I don’t remember ever having the spirit days and I feel like our young women are very much into those spirit days for unity. Sometimes the young men’s teams do that too, but there’s a bonding amongst young women in doing something like that,” Redding said.

According to Redding, her coaches provided her with the right balance of support, fun and challenge to make her successful in athletics and beyond.

“I cannot say enough about how much coaching matters. Of young women in particular, that coach really can make a difference. I think that the experience translates outside of the sport. If you are feeling self-worth, if you’re feeling high self-esteem, you can leave that environment and take that with you. I think that it goes further than a lot of people know or think,” Redding said.

While girls sports teams back when she was attending the high school were winning competitions, Redding said the current expansion and success of sports in Brookline is novel.

“Overall, our sports programs have totally raised their game. Every season we’re contenders with something. So that’s new,” Redding said.