I went back to my alma mater and saw how women's sports have changed

February 19, 2026

TL;DR

The author, a Columbia alumnus, reminisces about attending men's basketball games in the 1960s and contrasts it with the current success of the women's team.
The Columbia men's basketball team experienced a brief period of success in the late 1960s, reaching the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16, but has struggled significantly since.
Megan Griffith, a former player, took over the women's program in 2016 and has since led it to multiple Ivy League titles and NCAA tournament appearances.
Griffith emphasizes coaching as teaching and impacting lives, focusing on accountability and resilience, while also acknowledging the challenges of recruiting top talent to an Ivy League school.
The women's team has achieved significant victories, including wins against ranked opponents and their first-ever NCAA Tournament win.
Recent wins against Princeton and Penn have put Columbia in a strong position for the Ivy League title and a potential NCAA tournament bid.
The program has received significant financial backing and is recruiting its best class ever, indicating a bright future.
Coach Griffith expresses pride in her program's culture and loyalty, while acknowledging the possibility of lucrative offers from other colleges.

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