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GIRLS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (G.A.A.)

Jo Ann Boyd Scott writes:
Remember all the tournaments we had after school? The girls competed against other schools and in events called "Play Days."
I remember playing badminton, singles and doubles, deck tennis, field hockey and of course basketball.I particularly remember Carol Edwards, Clara Blakeman, Marilyn Marshall, Shirley Bohlin and Teresa McCarthy to name a few.

Do you remember the girls half-court basketball? There were three players on each half of thefloor from each team. You could NOT CROSS THE CENTER LINE!.The only dribbling that was allowed was to catch the ball and do a 2 step stop.Even during that time we thought it awful that the "girls" had to play half court and the boys were able to dribble from one end of the court to the other end. She also taught us how to officiate which was such fun.Try telling your daughter or granddaughter she could only play half court because she is a girl.

I remember, if we saved up our G.A.A. points we earned for placing in events we could eventually earn an "S" sweater. We were so very proud of our sweaters.I still have my pins that she gave as awards.

I appreciate NOW how hard she worked to give us so many activities. THANKS,
MRS. THOMAS
              

Clara Blakeman Lehman writes:

Jo Ann,You requested something on G.A.A. You're really
straining my memory here.I had some old Ocksheperida's
for a long time.I will look to see if I still have them.There
was some G.A.A. news in them.But for starters:
G.A.A. Our sponsor was Betty Thomas, formerly Betty McFall,
and familiarly but respectfully called "Mac" by many of the
G.A.A.members.A lot of us had played softball with her in
the city league before she was married.She was a great PE.
teacher and G.A.A. sponsor.She kept a full, year-round
schedule of  intramural sports going for the girls,even
before the new gym was completed.I remember when we
were juniors and seniors in high school, 1952-53,Sheridan
College was trying to operate out of some buildings at the
State Girl's School.They had started a girls' basketball
team, and because they were superior college players,
they asked "Mac" if SHS would like to send an "all-star"
team to play them.Ê Mac, of course, accepted with alacrity -
if they would promise a return game.I don't remember all
the details, but the All-Star team of  Carol Edwards,
Kathryn Walsh, JoAnn Boyd, Clara Blakeman, Shirley Bohlin,
Barbara Bordeaux, and Teresa McCarthy,soundly defeated
the "superior" college team both games!