O God of players : the story of the Immaculata Mighty Macs / Julie Byrne.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Byrne, Julie, 1968-

Series:

Religion and American culture (New York, N.Y.)

Religion and American culture

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Immaculata College--Basketball--History.

Immaculata College.

Immaculata Mighty Macs (Basketball team)--History.

Immaculata Mighty Macs (Basketball team).

Basketball for women--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia--History.

Basketball for women.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (258 p.)

Place of Publication:

New York : Columbia University Press, c2003.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Between 1972 and 1974, the Mighty Macs of Immaculata College-a small Catholic women's school outside Philadelphia-made history by winning the first three women's national college basketball championships ever played. A true Cinderella team, this unlikely fifteenth-seeded squad triumphed against enormous odds and four powerhouse state teams to secure the championship title and capture the imaginations of fans and sportswriters across the country. But while they were making a significant contribution to legitimizing women's sports in America, the Mighty Macs were also challenging the traditional roles and obligations that circumscribed their Catholic schoolgirl lives. In this vivid account of Immaculata basketball, Julie Byrne goes beyond the fame to explore these young women's unusual lives, their rare opportunities and pleasures, their religious culture, and the broader ideas of womanhood they inspired and helped redefine.

Contents:

Front matter

CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

NOTE ON NOTATION

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Introduction: Philadelphia Hoop and Catholic Fun

1. Making the Team, Making Identity

2. Practicing Basketball, Practicing Class

3. Bodies in Basketball

4. Praying for the Team

5. Ladies of the Court

6. Championships and Community

Postscript: Immaculata Basketball and U.S. Religious History

Appendix A: Immaculata College Basketball Survey

Appendix B: Surveys, Interviews, Correspondence, and Unpublished Memoirs

NOTES

REFERENCES

INDEX

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [273]-277) and index.

ISBN:

9780231501958

0231501951

OCLC:

828303754