Pitino Hires Woman at Kentucky

Bernadette Locke was named an assistant coach of the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team Wednesday, an assignment female coaches say could have a far-reaching effect in bringing equality to the coaching ranks.

Locke, 31, is believed to be the first female on-court assistant for a Division I men’s basketball program. Mary Fenlon, Georgetown’s assistant to the athletic director, started as Coach John Thompson’s assistant, but her role was that of academic coordinator.

Kentucky Coach Rick Pitino said in a news conference at Lexington, Ky., that Locke’s duties will be the same as the Wildcats’ three male assistants. Pitino said Locke will be involved with on-court coaching and recruiting but will place special emphasis on career placement, starting with players when they are freshmen.

Reached Wednesday night in Athens, Ga., Locke said she did not know why she was selected.

“Coach Pitino called me,” she said. “He really wanted a woman. We talked about it being a figurehead-type position. I don’t think that is what it is. They don’t want that.”

Locke came to Kentucky from Georgia, where she served as an assistant on the women’s basketball team since 1985. She was an All-American with the Bulldogs in her senior season of 1980-81.

“If they’re going to hire a woman, they’ve hired the right one,” Andy Landers, the Georgia women’s coach, told reporters.

Pitino called Locke one of the best female assistants in the country. “She comes to us with the highest compliments of every coach we contacted,” he said.

Locke said she hopes the move will benefit other women.

“It’s a great opportunity,” she said. “If it paves the way or helps others into coaching, I want to see that happen.”

Some of the country’s prominent women’s coaches believe it will.

“I think it is a smart and good move by Rick Pitino,” said Tara VanDerveer, the Stanford women’s coach who led the Cardinal to an NCAA title last season. “Women can add positive things to group dynamics. Bernadette will bring a different insight into the system.”

VanDerveer and another highly successful women’s coach--Joan Bonvicini of Cal State Long Beach--consider Locke’s hiring a ground-breaking move.

“Maybe this will let quality people get other jobs not based on their gender,” VanDerveer said.

Kentucky players could not be reached for comment. But Pitino told reporters he did not discuss the move with the team.

“This is not the NBA,” he said. “We don’t ask (them) who to hire. This is not someone who is just starting out as a young graduate assistant. Bernadette just has to be herself and she’ll be OK. She knows that.”

Locke is confident she will succeed in one of the country’s highly regarded programs.

“Teaching basketball is teaching basketball,” she said. “A pick is still a pick. Any new coach who comes into a situation will have to take time to gain the respect of the players. I’m sure it is going to be fun, but a lot of hard work on this journey. Hopefully, I’ll just blend in.”

However, the situation will be pressure-packed.

“People will be watching,” VanDerveer said. “It’s a visible program. She has the added responsibility and pressure. She will be carrying the torch.”

Bonvicini, who has coached against Locke for five years, said Locke has the kind of personality to succeed.

“As long as you have the knowledge, the kids will trust you,” Bonvicini said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman.”