At Michigan Tech, any discussion on the history of women’s
sports must start with Cheryl DePuydt.
Forty years after Title IX was enacted, 38 years after Michigan
Tech began its women’s athletic programs and seven years
after DePuydt’s passing, her legacy lives on through 115
female student-athletes at Tech.
“Cheryl always had an appreciation for athletics and the
value it provided students in their development,” said
Michigan Tech Athletic Director Suzanne Sanregret. “Her role
in getting women’s athletics programs off the ground
demonstrated her commitment that athletics opportunities be given
to both men and women.”
DePuydt, a Marquette, Mich., native, graduated from Northern
Michigan in 1972 and came to Tech right away to teach skating. She
was the first female instructor in the Michigan Tech athletic
department.
When it came time to start women’s athletics in 1975,
DePuydt volunteered to become the coach for basketball and
volleyball in addition to her full load of classes.
Then-athletic director Ted Kearly didn’t hesitate calling on
DePuydt. “She was one of the most fantastic people I’ve
ever worked with,” he said. “She coached both teams,
and she didn’t receive extra pay for it. That was her
donation to the development of women’s athletics at Michigan
Tech.”
DePuydt coached the volleyball team six seasons (1975-80) and the
basketball team three seasons (1975-78). She built the foundation
for both teams to have success in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference in the years to come.
Her constant passion was figure skating. Thousands of Copper
Country youth learned to skate under DePuydt’s tutelage.
“She had so much patience,” added Kearly. “She
had beginning classes, and some of these kids had never put on
skates before. If they were willing to work, she’d be willing
to help them,” added Kearly.
DePuydt received Michigan Tech’s Distinguished Teaching
Award in 1982. She was honored statewide for her teaching in 1991,
and was named chair of Tech’s Department of Physical
Education in 1995.
She later received the Clair M. Donovan Award for outstanding
service.
With her position in the physical education department, DePuydt
remained a role model for student-athletes and co-workers
alike.
“Cheryl was my first female mentor in athletics,” said
Sanregret. “She influenced me in understanding that Title IX
wasn’t about men or women. It was about giving all of our
student-athletes a positive, meaningful, educational experience. It
wasn’t a line drawn in the sand between men and women, but
cooperation and mutual respect between all of our programs to make
them all better.”
DePuydt continued to hold the role of PE department chair until
her passing in 2005 following a battle with cancer.
She will forever be remembered for her positive contributions to
Michigan Tech and women’s athletics.
“Cheryl helped create a culture of doing things the right
way and giving equality to women’s sports,” said
Sanregret. “Her commitment, values, ethics and morals are
still present in our athletic teams today.”
--Adapted from a story printed in Tech Today, Sept. 27, 2005.