The New York Times > Sports > Sports Special > BackTalk: Impersonal and Relentless to Take Anymore:
“They were called auditions and they defined women’s college basketball recruiting in the 1970’s each spring on campuses nationwide.
“Open auditions were scheduled at each university to evaluate, to recruit and, when warranted, to offer basketball scholarships.
“Gum-chewing teenagers in tube socks arrived at 8 a.m. to register at the campus recreational facility, many after driving with their parents for hours to spare the expense of a night’s lodging.
“These single-day trials were the culmination of recruiting by college coaches who had compiled mimeographed questionnaires, watched Beta videotapes and made a few phone calls to the high school history teacher, who doubled as the girls basketball coach.
“At the end of the day’s drills and scrimmages, five or six lucky teenagers and their parents were asked to stick around, to take a quick tour of facilities, dorm rooms and, weather permitting, to watch the final innings of the baseball team in action.
“Oh, to recruit in the 70’s! Life was good! …”