To the editor:

I would like to make a few comments on the Chuck Woodling column “Marian noticeably absent” (Journal-World, March 3). My comments aren’t about Marian Washington, but rather about Marlene Mawson. Woodling professes twice to not wanting to sound disrespectful towards Mawson, but to me he certainly came across as disrespectful.

He seems to question whether Mawson is worthy of the title of “Mother of KU Women’s Athletics” and worthy of having the “Female Athlete of the Year Award” named in her honor. I felt the article trivialized Mawson’s involvement in the KU women’s sports program.

Marlene Mawson did not just happen to be a physical education instructor in 1968 when KU launched its women’s sports program; she was brought in and given the challenge to start six women’s sports programs at KU with an initial budget of $2,000. Mawson met the challenge. She started the programs, supported the student athletes on both the athletic and academic sides and even did some coaching.

Had Mawson not accepted the challenge in 1968, would the KU women’s sport program be where it is now? Who is to know? Because of Mawson’s achievements, she was inducted into the KU Athletic Hall of Fame during the 40-year celebration weekend. After listening to the number of former KU athletes thank Mawson for her assistance, it is clear to me that she spent a very productive 22 years at KU and is certainly deserving of any honors that might be bestowed upon her.

Bob Case,
Lawrence