Hall of Fame coach Margie Wright likes current direction of women’s athletics

METAMORA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Margie Wright was back at Metamora this weekend.

And was quick to point out how things have changed since she started her coaching career there in 1975.

“I had to coach five sports when I was here. Now they have a coach for each sport,” said Wright. “It gives young women a great opportunity.”

Wright was a star softball pitcher at Illinois State in the early 1970’s and then began her coaching career at Metamora High School in 1975.

By 1977 she was in the college coaching ranks, starting as an assistant at Eastern Illinois (1978-79) then becoming the head coach at ISU (1980-85) before heading west to Fresno State (1986-2012).

She won over 1,400 games as a college coach and took Fresno State to the 1998 Women’s College World Series title. She’s been inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Illinois State University Athletics Hall of Fame.

She’s seen a lot. And she likes what she’s seeing in women’s athletics currently.

Thanks to star players like Caitlin Clark, the NCAA women’s basketball tournament set TV ratings ablaze. Last fall, over 92,000 fans attended a women’s volleyball game at Nebraska.

Womens athletics is on a roll. But that wasn’t the case for girls and women sports when Wright played softball at ISU and started her coaching career in central Illinois.

“It was kind of an unknown factor for so long. We weren’t really featured that much, nobody paid that much attention,” said Wright. “I’m quite jealous of the high school players today. They have some of the best facilities and coaches today.”

Wright was back in Metamora for the softball team’s Margie Wright Showcase, a two-day softball tournament played at the high school where she once coached.

“Girls sports are important, people love to watch them,” said Metamora softball coach Deric Linder. “There’s a lot of media attention now. It’s a fun time to be in women’s athletics.”

With interest in girls and women’s sports appearing to have big momentum, Wright is convinced things are headed in the right direction.

“I couldn’t be more proud of what (women’s sports) I see on TV and of what these young women have. It’s been a long time coming,” said Wright. “I’m proud of that and proud to be a part of getting it here. And I hope to continue to be a part of it moving forward.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.