Debbie Millbern Powers

COACHING LEGEND RETIRES

4/19/2024

My former teammate at Indiana University and winningest women's basketball coach of all time, Tara VanDerveer, recently announced her retirement as Stanford's head coach. NCAA Championships and an Olympic Gold are just part of her legacy. She has coached thousands of successful women, many of which became coaches or WNBA players. She remained humble, giving, and kind along the way. She has contributed to the growth of women's basketball more than anyone I know. Well done, Tara! (see photos below)

Above: IU Team at AIAW Final Four; Tara top row, far right (me = next to her). Below: Tara playing at IU

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March Madness

3/27/2024

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Wow! Where has the time gone between blog postings? COVID, European travel, and more. But here it is, my favorite time of the year. And my beloved IU women have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. My former teammate at IU, Tara VanDerveer, became the winningest coach of all time this season. Women's basketball is bigger than ever! Young girls are exposed to inspirational stories and amazing athletic performances that can provide fuel for their personal dreams. We've come a long way from the days of paying our own way, small crowds, van rides to games, no scholarships or locker rooms, and substandard practice and training facilities. Despite the inequities, our IU team made it to the Final Four in 1973....and we were GOOD! Meeting Her Match is a great read for all basketball fans. It is a walk down memory lane. Every current female player needs to read Meeting Her Match to appreciate their opportunities.

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Still Moving

7/31/2022

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It is wonderful to be able to continue moving (and even competing) as a 71-year-old former college athlete. No more jump shots or sprints. But able to compete in local charity road races (and even win my age-group)! Husband Jim is even more awesome as a marathoner. We don't take health for granted and do everything possible to live a wellness lifestyle. We hopefully inspire others to KEEP MOVING after the college uniforms are turned in.

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50 YEARS OF TITLE IX

3/10/2022

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A lot has happened since my last post. COVID took its toll in the world, disrupting lives. Thankfully my family and I survived the infection, got doubly vaccinated, and boosted. Crazy times! I have done Zoom book clubs and in-person presentations, but got behind in posting them in my events. Life is finally reaching some normalcy.
I can't overlook that 2022 marks 50 years since the passage of Title IX. Even though most people don't know that ATHLETICS was not specifically addressed in the Title IX bill, it provided athletic opportunities for females. Title IX was basically an EDUCATION bill, and athletics is part of an educational institution's offerings. Today's girls are blessed with a world of opportunities, but there is still more equity needed.
Meeting Her Match continues to inspire and educate. I constantly receive emails from readers thanking me for exposing them to stories of determination, perseverance, and hope. Many older female readers experienced similar life challenges, not only in sports, but in careers. The journey continues.

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THANK GOODNESS FOR TITLE IX

6/23/2020

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On June 23, 1972 (48th anniversary today!) Title IX was passed, giving females equal opportunities in sports and other educational activities. I received a touching email last week from Addy, a 10-year-old fan of Meeting Her Match. She wrote: "I just wanted to tell you that I admire what you did and do. You inspire me. I can't imagine not getting to play on a basketball team in elementary school." Yes, Addy, because of Title IX you can be anything you want to be. Thank goodness! Shoot for the stars!

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Grotke Award

8/12/2019

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Indiana University announced that Debbie Millbern Powers will be honored with the Leanne Grotke Award, bestowed on a living person who has made exceptionally outstanding contributions to Indiana University’s women’s athletics program. It is the highest honor of its kind given by the university. The first female athlete in IU history to be awarded the Elvis J. Stahr Distinguished Senior Award,Debbie excelled in both
academics and athletics. Powers played basketball for IU from 1969 to 1973, and softball and field hockey from 1971 to 1972. She was captain and leading scorer of the 1973 basketball team, leading her teammates to the Final Four. After graduation, Powers was drafted to play in the first professional women’s basketball league. Instead, she pursued a career in teaching and coaching, as Title IX brought new athletic opportunities to women across the nation. She led the Muncie Northside High School volleyball team to two state championships—winning the 1975 title against a team with boys—before accepting the head women’s basketball coaching position at Ball State University. She retired from Ball State in 2006, and has become a celebrated author in the intervening years. Her memoir, Meeting Her Match, won the prestigious Royal Palm Literary Award. The Grotke awards banquet and ceremony will be Friday, Sept. 13, in IU’s Henke Hall of Champions.

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INDIANA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE

6/11/2018

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I was honored to be featured in the 2018 summer edition of the IU Alumni Magazine. GO HOOSIERS!

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Winter Basketball

1/4/2018

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This is what Hoosiers do when the snow comes. Reminds me of what I did as a young player. Anything to get better!

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If it's March...it's Madness time

3/13/2017

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January and February flew by. Now it's Madness Time. Just as March weather is unpredictable, so are the NCAA tournament games. Hold onto your hats and support your favorite team. Speaking of teams, I was honored and delighted to be the Keynote Speaker at the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association (ICGSA) awards banquet a week ago. Note the photo of me with one of my former point guards who I coached at Ball State. Today's point guards are MUCH taller! But she was a sparkplug off the bench. Every team needs one of them!

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Never Stop Striving

12/13/2016

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I was selected by Medtronic Corporation to run the Medtronic 10-mile race in Minneapolis in October, 2016. They selected 25 athletes from around the world to run. We're called Global Heroes. I was one of 10 Americans picked. All of us who were selected wear implantable medical devices of some type. Mine is a pacemaker for bradycardia (abnormally slow heart rate). EVERYONE....whatever your circumstances, never stop striving to Meet YOUR Match. [With me in the photo is my husband, Jim, who ran with me.]

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