Ginny Gilder is no stranger to working hard to accomplish personal and professional goals. The former competitive rower has a silver medal from the Olympics to prove her mettle. An early graduate of boarding school and a graduate of Yale, she knows how to achieve her dreams and that it doesn’t always come easily. Recently the co-owner of the Seattle Storm had an interview with KUOW’s Bill Radke to discuss the firing of Bob Ernst, the coach of the University of Washington’s rowing team, and Gilder’s thoughts were that it’s not always the coach’s fault.

In fact, Gilder says the issue is with parents who pave the road for their children and make life too easy for them. “I think the real issue is the level to which parents raise their kids and insist on smoothing out every bump in the road. If things are tough, they’re not necessarily prepared to deal.” Gilder herself is a parent of three children. That said, she has been known to take issue with athletic directors before in order to improve conditions for female athletes. In 1976, while attending Yale, Gilder stripped in protest for not having female facilities at the boathouse along with her teammates.

The official reason behind Ernst’s firing was the “need for change in leadership,” but inside sources claim that Ernst was fired after several complaints were issued regarding his coaching style with the team. The area is shocked following the news, since Ernst has been a leading coach in the Pacific Northwest for a while, having led the Huskies to victory in a prominent fashion. Assistant coach Connor Bullis is filling in until a replacement coach is hired.

Gilder, an investor who turned to sports to help her strengthen body and mind and deal with her own life challenges, has written a book, continues to support the sport of rowing and has made it through one divorce. Whether her words of wisdom are too tough for some ears or not, she had had enough success in her life, both in the business sector as well as her athletic career, for people to take note when she offers them.

Do you think that the problem with athletes is that they are too coddled by parents to take criticism well and meet challenges effectively? Or do you think that coaches may sometimes be too harsh on their teams? Share your opinions in the comments.

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