As part of their 13 November Thursday Quiz (topic: sports), my Editing students were asked to identify a significant male and female sports figure. I was surprised by most of their answers for a number of reasons (the spellings are theirs). What do you think? E-mail me.

Who do you believe has been the most significant male sports figure of the 20th century? Why?

Men responded

• Pele, the great soccer player from Brazil. Outright, the only player in this century to dominate his sport. Ali and Jordan had others to compete against. pele didn't.
• Jesse Owens. First successful black athlete.
• Michael Jordan. He is not only an athlete. He is everywhere and kids look up to him. Plus, he's the greatest to ever play the game.
• Jackie Robinson helped to break down racial segregation both on the sports field and on the streets.
• Larry Bird. He was one of the main reasons the NBA was put on the map during the 1980s.
• Vince Lombardi because even though he was a coach rather than a player, he set the tone in his pep talks to the Packers by which most people view sports . . . and at times life (how you play rather than if you win.)
• Michael Jordon -- he goes beyond the basketball arena to be a roll model for kids and adults alike. He does charity work, and his persona is the "good guy." He also rules at basketball.

Women responded

• Babe Ruth. "The Babe" played baseball for the love of it and was great. He was kind to the fans and had a good sense of humor.
• Michael Jordan. I think the ad campaign "I want to be like Mike" says it all. Not only is he one of the best to play basketball, but he is well respected on and off the basketball court. He donates his time and money to charities.
• Cal Ripkin for always showing up to work no matter how injured or sick he may have been. Great role model.
• Michael Jordan -- because he is loved and admired by everyone -- blacks, whites, men, women and children. He has tried different things, explored; he is a family man, intelligent, marketbale, is a real person with real problems (his father being murdered) like all people do. And he is a superb athlete with many talents.
• Michael Jordan -- he appeals to the masses as a good person who is able to remain down to earth as a basketball star.
• O.J. Simpson because his case struck national attention and it helped to get stricter domestic violence laws.
• For someone who doesn't follow sports regularly, O.J. Simpson has been significant because his trial, though annoyingly overdiscussed, showed the world something about the esteem Americans hold their sports heroes in.
• Michael Jordan is the most recognized sports figure by not only the U.S. but the world, in my opinion. He has graced the cover of every magazine, he has countless TV commercials and his own clothes line.

Who do you believe has been the most significant female sports figure of the 20th century? Why?

Men responded

• Althea Gibson, tennis player. She paved the way for other blacks to play the game.
• Mary Lou Retton. Most successful woman athlete brought women's sports into view.
• Mia Ham. Besides making soccer a popular sport in America, she has made it popular for women as well. She is a great role model for women athletes because she is living proof there are professional women athletes.
• Mary Lou Retton. She paved the way for other female athletes to play and be good at any sport they want.
• Billy Jean King. She proved that females can compete with males.
• Nadia Comenici because she was able to win the admiration of Americans even though she was from the Soviet bloc. She was skilled and showed that "they" really weren't different from "us."

Women responded

• Jackie Joyner Kershey -- Olympic runner -- roll model of perserverance for kids.
• Jackie Joyner Kersey. She is multi-talented and a good role model, except for that nail polish commercial.
• Probably Billy Jean King because she thrust women forward in the game of tennis. Mainly because she beat a male tennis player in the '70s battle of the sexes match.
• Mary Lou Retton -- for having poise and courage at the Olympics, proving that anything can be accomplished if your heart is in it.
• Nancy Kerrigan -- because she is a fighter. She has come back to skate after having kids. (She's in shape.) She has also had problems (but overcome them), is liked and also has superby athletic ability (and grace).
• Jackie Joyner Kirsie. She shows that women can be on the same level as men in a competitive field--running.
• Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding (tie) because they commanded national attention and achieved a greater interest in figure skating among Americans.
• The women who pressed to form the women's basketball league may prove to be the most significant sports figures because they overcame great odds to put together something very significant for women in sports. Over the next few years, if the idea catdhes on, it could change the wya young women in sports view themselves and their futures.
• Chris Everet Lloyd -- because one of the first recognized female athletes, won the hearts of Americans and went on to become a sportscaster.