Broke the Barrier/Paved the Way

Gloria Byard was the first African American women to travel with the US National Team back in the 1970’s. A time where blacks were limited, Byard broke barriers and paved the way for African Americans in a positive way, and opened the sport of field hockey up to diversity. Something different had to happened, and she started it all.

A star player at Woodstown High School and a standout player at Glassboro State (Rowan University), she had only the mindset of excelling far beyond of what others thought she could do. Back then, there was a less of a chance to even be considered to play at a national level than it is now. There are endless opportunities now, we just have to go out and get it (or play for it).

Since her time with the US National Team has come to an end, she has continued to make strides in this sport by starting her own team at Saleem Community College, Highland, and eventually back to her Alma Mater Rowan University.

She joined the 200th victory club on October 22 when she won her 200th career game as a field hockey coach – including her college coaching record – when Glassboro defeated Gloucester Catholic 7-1 on Oct. 22.

200 wins is an accomplishment in itself. But thankfully, the passion and dedication Byard has for this sport is not based off of numbers.

“My thing is the kids. They’re my No. 1 priority. You want to make them feel good about themselves, feel success and move onto the next level. That’s what it’s all about. That’s my mission. I always told the kids, it’s not about the Tri-County (Conference), it’s about girls that can go and play at that next level. That’s what we’re striving for.”

“If I can help them in any way, that’s what it’s all about. The different places that I’ve been to, helped me get my 200 wins. … It’s been an awesome experience.”

Byard opened up the sport for it to become more colorful, which means that talent it found everywhere. Since little to none black girls and women participate in this sport, it’s hard to see that, especially in South Jersey where there are usually none on either team. Why, though? Has it been engrained in our heads that there are only sports white people can play and black people can’t, or visa versa? Is that purposeful? Do black people and white people hold themselves back from participating in something because of being the only one, or standing out? Or is it the comments that white counterparts speak when a black does get involved with with a sport “outside of the norm”?

Either way, the road is paved and its time for us to experience it. Talent is found everywhere.

Doors have been opened, and its time society stops putting labels on things. Black things, white things, black people, white people. Its a mess, and unfortunately, we are all dumb enough to not get involved with something where most of the people don’t look like YOU.