Sometimes, one Marian Washington isn’t enough.
Being head coach of Kansas’ women’s basketball team and president of the Black Coaches Association could easily employ the efforts of two people.
There are times, Washington admits, concessions have to be made.
“Understand that most of us are coaches,” Washington said, referring to the BCA membership. “So we all understand what our challenges are. We certainly understand that once we get into our seasons there’s very little time to do much. So most of my preparation has to go on outside the season.”
Washington was first elected BCA president at the association’s convention in May 1992. At the organization’s most recent convention earlier this year, Washington was asked by the board of directors to accept a second one-year term.
“It was a compliment. And I debated about it,” Washington said. “But there are some things I’ve been a part of that I would like to see through.”
So the directors changed the BCA’s bylaws to enable Washington to accept a second term.
“But this will definitely be my last year,” Washington said. “I’ve been in this business a long time. I’ve been an administrator. I’ve worn several hats at one time.”
She was KU’s women’s basketball coach and women’s athletic director at the same time during the mid-1970s.
“Certainly before I even accepted the role,” Washington said, “I knew and they knew what my limitations would be. And I feel like I’ve done a good job in putting each in its proper place.”
Washington’s second term will expire next May.
“It’s been a real positive experience,” she said. “When I first got involved with the association, it was the first time I was able to talk to people that had similar challenges as myself.
“I have never made any big deal of it, but it’s not that easy in this business being black, and certainly being female and black,” she said. “So when I first got involved with the organization, it was very positive. It gave me a chance to realize most of its members were encountering similar kinds of experiences.”
