|
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Celebrating the magic of Thelma Datig’s touch
By Glenn C. Michelena
THELMA Paras-Datig’s entry into the Cebu Sports Hall of Fame will be a fitting recognition to one of the biggest supporters of Cebu’s volleyball program.
For more than four decades, Paras-Datig made a dent in the Cebu sporting circuit as an athlete, coach, and educator who championed the marriage of sports and education.
Paras-Datig, who will be enshrined as a Hall of Famer tomorrow, along with fellow sporting legends Manuel Baring, Eugene Dela Cerna, and Juan Aquino, at the Cebu Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremonies, started out as a college volleyball player at Silliman University and Southwestern University from 1965-70, then began a long and dignified career as a volleyball coach.
As a coach, Paras-Datig had the uncanny knack of turning into gold whatever she touches.
In 1975, she took over as coach of the men and women’s collegiate volleyball team, which she led to numerous CAAA titles and one UAAP title. In 1982, she led the Region VIII men’s volleyball team to the championship of the Palarong Pambansa, a feat she duplicated the following year as coach of the women’s team.
Paras-Datig also bagged the 2000 Palaro ng Bayan championship while coaching the boys and girls teams of Region VII and led the SWU women’s squad to the 2002 and 2003 titles of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi).
An SWU faculty member since 1974, Paras-Datig currently serves as a councilor for baranggay Sambag I and continues to teach and coach volleyball to aspiring youngsters.
(February 19, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
