Carolyn Condit: The Impact of a Legendary Coach on Women’s College Sports
Carolyn Condit, a legendary coach in Ohio, has made a significant impact on women’s college sports. Throughout her career, Condit has led the Miami teams to 10 Mid-American Conference Championships and nine NCAA Tournaments. Her coaching prowess is evident in the numerous accolades her athletes have received both on and off the court.
Under Condit’s guidance, her athletes have won 85 All-MAC awards, with five of them being named the MAC Player of the Year. The success extends beyond athletics, as her team consistently earns one of the highest GPAs among all Miami’s athletic programs. They have garnered 81 All-MAC academic honors and six Academic All-American titles. Condit’s dedication and expertise have earned her the title of Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year six times.
Condit has witnessed significant changes in women’s college athletics throughout her career. She has seen an evolution in people’s awareness and opinion regarding women’s participation in sports. However, what truly defines Condit is the impact she has had on the 200-plus women from her program who have gone on to earn degrees and apply her lessons in their own lives.
Jennie Gilbert, a former player of Condit’s and now Miami’s associate AD and senior women’s administrator overseeing volleyball, speaks highly of Condit’s influence. Gilbert still refers to her as Coach as a sign of the respect she has earned. She acknowledges the valuable life lessons Condit instilled in her players, regardless of their chosen career paths. Condit taught them how to lead and be relied upon, qualities that have contributed to their success in various fields such as medicine, law, entrepreneurship, education, coaching, and more.
Condit’s impact is so significant that several of her former players return each year for an alumni weekend. They gather to celebrate their shared experiences and express gratitude for the lessons they received under Condit’s guidance. This year, they will reunite during the RedHawks’ final home matches against Akron.
Condit’s journey to becoming a legendary coach started in the Madisonville neighborhood of Cincinnati’s East Side. Growing up in a family of 11 kids, she gained confidence through playing sports with her sisters and the neighborhood boys. After attending Marian High School and playing basketball and volleyball at Mount St. Joseph, Condit pursued a career in coaching with the belief that coaching is teaching.
Her coaching career began at Xavier in 1980, where she worked part-time as a volleyball coach for a salary of $3,500. Despite the challenges, Condit was determined to pursue her passion. When she joined Miami, the salary improvement was still unequal to that of a men’s coach hired at the same time. However, Condit recognized the potential for positive change.
During her early years, Condit faced numerous obstacles. Recruiting players meant driving from one town to another without the convenience of the internet or cell phones. But times have changed. Now, the sport of women’s volleyball attracts more girls than basketball, according to recent national statistics. Much progress has been made in terms of how women athletes are treated, including improved uniforms and better sponsorship deals.
Condit is concerned, though, about the potential drawbacks of the transfer portal and the new Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) deals available to athletes. While she wants athletes to be taken care of, she fears the potential abuses and the NCAA’s ability to monitor these issues adequately.
Despite her concerns, Condit’s retirement is not motivated by these changes. After devoting 44 years of her life to coaching, she believes in making the most of the time she has left. Although she hasn’t found the fountain of youth, her passion for coaching and her young athletes have kept her feeling young. She credits her success to the support of her incredible assistants and plans on enjoying time with her family and practicing her faith.
Jennie Gilbert, however, believes that Condit’s competitive nature will eventually lead her to find new endeavors. While she may initially enjoy spending time with her family, Gilbert predicts that Condit will become bored after six months and seek a new anchor. It will be interesting to see how Condit’s post-retirement journey unfolds.
Carolyn Condit’s impact on women’s college sports is undeniable. Her coaching legacy, the success of her athletes both on and off the court, and the lessons they carry into their lives attest to her tremendous influence. As Condit embarks on a new chapter, her contributions and the respect she has earned will forever be remembered in the world of women’s college sports.
