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COOPERATION & COMPETITION . Babe Didrikson Read Aloud, Unit 1. FOCUS QUESTIONS. What personality traits did Babe Didrikson possess that helped her to become a successful competitor? In what ways were Babe Didrikson’s successes dependent on her ability to cooperate?. Babe Didrikson.
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COOPERATION & COMPETITION Babe Didrikson Read Aloud, Unit 1
FOCUS QUESTIONS • What personality traits did Babe Didrikson possess that helped her to become a successful competitor? • In what ways were Babe Didrikson’s successes dependent on her ability to cooperate?
Babe Didrikson • Born June 26, 1914 as Mildred Ella Didrikson. • Named “Babe” after famous slugger Babe Ruth
Excelled at every sport she tried including golf, track, baseball, archery, skeet shooting, swimming, diving, horseback riding and billliards (to name a few)
1930 was voted all-American forward for a women’s basketball team, Golden Cyclones. • Helped them win a national championship
After basketball Babe decided to try track & field. • In 1932, she competed in the Amateur Athletic Union women’s national champtionship. She earned enough points to win the team title all by herself.
Olympics • Her outstanding track victories at the national championship led Babe to the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. • Won gold medal and set a world record in the javelin throw. • Gold in the hurdles • Silver in the high jump
GOLF • After the Olympics she tried golf for the first time. • Her natural ability impressive. • After a few years, she made a career out of golf. • Practiced 15-16 hours per day. • 1935 won the Texas Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament.
In 1937, she met & married wrestler George Zaharias. • Babe continued her golf career, winning 17 tournaments in a row. • 1949 – helped form the Ladies’ Professional Golf Association. • LPGA attracted more women to the sport . • Today, LPGA offers MILLIONS of dollars in prize money for the pro women golfers.
A True Champion • 1953, diagnosed with cancer. • Recovered and won the U.S. Open golf Tournament in 1954. • 1956 cancer returned • World’s greatest athlete died at the age of 42.
Awards & Honors • She earned prestigious awards & honors. • Only woman to be named Associated Press’s “Woman Athlete of the Year” six times. • Ranked her as the SECOND most oustanding and influential athlete in American history, after Babe Ruth. • Opened the door for women to compete and succeed in the world of sports.