Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 14, 1990 TAG: 9006140176
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LEXINGTON, KY. LENGTH: Medium
Bernadette Locke, a former assistant women's coach at Georgia, was named to the same position on Pitino's staff on Wednesday.
Her duties will be the same as Pitino's others assistants - on-court coaching and recruiting - with a special emphasis on career placement.
"I think it's a great opportunity now for a lot of women because I think it's going to open a lot of doors, hopefully, for them," Locke said. "If that's what this is going to do, then great."
Pitino, who came to Kentucky from a successful NBA stint with the New York Knicks, had drawn criticism from some who said Locke's duties would be limited to clerical work and she would be used mainly as a publicity gimmick.
"When you do hire a woman basketball coach you are going to gain some notoriety and exposure and that's good because we're trying to expose the career placement and we're trying to expose the things we want to accomplish with student-athletes," Pitino said.
"There's a lot of women Coach Pitino could have had for this position," Locke said. "I feel fortunate that he and his staff and administration chose me to pursue this."
Mary Fenlon was an assistant on John Thompson's staff at Georgetown, but "her purview was the academic side of things," said Bill Shapland, Kentucky's sports information director for basketball. Fenlon, who still sits on the bench for Hoyas games, has since been promoted to assistant to the athletic director for basketball.
Locke said she isn't worried about working with male players in practices.
"Basically, you're going to teach dribbling and passing to men or women regardless," Locke said. "It's the same thing, only at a different level. That's something I'm looking forward to."
Pitino said he doesn't foresee any problems in Locke's access to the locker room.
"There are a lot of men's coaches in women's sports today," he said. "It's the same way. . . . As soon as they shower up, they're in the locker room. Before the game it's no problem because they're all dressed."
Locke, 31, was Georgia's first female All-American, earning the distinction during her senior year in 1980-81. She has been an assistant at Georgia since 1985.
"I'm excited," she said. "It's a pleasure. Being associated with basketball in the Southeastern Conference, I know about the Kentucky tradition."
Pitino said he believes Locke will fit "comfortably" in the program.
Pitino on Wednesday also named Orlando "Tubby" Smith as associate coach, Herb Sendek as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator and Billy Donovan as assistant coach.
by CNB