Lesbian Coaches Face Hostility, Homophobia, and Other Hurdles

Since the advent of Title IX, the number of female college athletes has vastly increased, but according to ESPN, the percentage of female coaches has been cut in half since the law passed in 1972. 

While several factors play into the diminished number of women coaches on college campuses, homophobia and sexism are chief among them. As a tactic to lure the prospective student athletes away from a rival team, some recruiters signal to the athlete's parents that the coach on the other team is a lesbian. 

Portland State's Sherri Murrell (pictured) is currently the only openly lesbian coach in Division I NCAA basketball. There are several other qualified potential coaches such as former WNBA stars like Sue Wicks and Kate Starbird, who have said they won't go into coaching, in part to avoid dealing with the homophobia. 

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