Purpose of the Research

Purpose of the Research
The purpose of our research is to highlight female coaches that have excelled in an area dominated primarily by men. We have interviewed three female head coaches to explore their experiences. We asked them questions to examine the everyday challenges they face, and talked to them about some of the techniques they use in order to stay in these positions of power. We asked these strong, accomplished women questions in an attempt to understand what has allowed them to be successful in their job, as well as how they got to where they are today. We considered the different stereotypes women must often overcome when coaching certain sports. Luckily, the University of Georgia is home to some of the most well known female coaches across the country, and their achievements thus far speak for themselves.
After talking with Lu Harris-Champer (softball), Suzanne Yoculan (gymnastics), and Kelley Hester (women’s golf) it is apparent what has driven each woman to reach their current position. Case in point, the University of Georgia only has female head coaches for three of its sixteen sports! In reality, if tomorrow our football program had a female become head coach, we would be the laughing stock of the NCAA. Although there are only 3 female head coaches of sports teams here at the University of Georgia, these women have definitely re-written the history books in their respective sports, and our school is extremely lucky to have them on the payroll.