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SportsNovember 7, 1999

So much has changed since Mildred Wiggins began coaching in 1971. Yet much has remained the same. Wiggins coached the Lady Hornets from 1971 to 1991 and retired with a brilliant 364-85-2 career record. When she started as a coach, Advance played only teams from Stoddard County because Stoddard County teams played with six players, while most other area teams played with eight...

So much has changed since Mildred Wiggins began coaching in 1971.

Yet much has remained the same.

Wiggins coached the Lady Hornets from 1971 to 1991 and retired with a brilliant 364-85-2 career record.

When she started as a coach, Advance played only teams from Stoddard County because Stoddard County teams played with six players, while most other area teams played with eight.

Back then, players could hit the ball twice -- meaning one player could set it to herself, then spike it. And each team could hit it six times (now the limit is three) before sending it over the net.

Wiggins was one of just a handful of women coaches when she started. Now there are many.

There were no district tournaments when Wiggins started. No state championships.

My, how times have changed.

When Wiggins began her coaching career, there was a movement among women in the country that females should be given the same athletic opportunities as the boys.

So, in 1972, Title IX was introduced, a landmark civil rights statute which barred gender discrimination in education.

Since then, the number of females playing high school sports has risen from 294,000 to 2.4 million, while the number of boys participating has stayed the same (3.6 million).

Even with the introduction of Title IX (which was basically ignored until 1978), women's sports were not really taken seriously.

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But Wiggins did her job and did it well.

One of the first women's coaches to scout her opponents, Wiggins -- like Peggy Johnson, who was also a great volleyball coach, sort of set a standard that women can do the job, but will have to make some sacrifices.

"Not too many women coaches were around when I started," Wiggins said. "If women had families it's hard to give that much time. Because it takes a lot of time (to be a good coach)."

Wiggins said there is more equality now than there used to be, but there is still room for improvement.

"There's still a difference (between the way boys and girls programs are treated)," she said. "But it's more equal than it was when I first started."

What was the most challenging aspect of coaching back then?

"Getting time in the gym," she said. "The boys basketball team had priority."

Wiggins started her coaching career on a rough note, going 4-7 her first year. It was her only losing season.

"I took it for one year to see how it went," Wiggins told the Dexter Daily Statesman after her retirement in 1991. "Mr. (Bernard) Benjamin, the principal, talked me into taking it for a year and I said, `we'll see.'"

Wiggins' Lady Hornets eventually captured 11 Stoddard County Activities Association tournament championships. Her squads also claimed 12 district championships and took second four times.

Wiggins led Advance to some great seasons between 1978 and 1983. During that six-year period, the Lady Hornets went 122-12-1, for an average of 20 wins and two losses per season. They won five district titles during that span and made two appearances in the state final four.

Though Wiggins coached many talented players -- including Debbie Stepp who signed with Division I Arkansas State -- she stressed a team concept.

"I didn't have just the one outstanding player on most of my teams," she said. "My secret was the team working together. I had a few real good players, but most of it was teamwork and the desire to win.

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