Introduction to Women Femininity and Sports; Girls can do it too

  When it comes to sports, many women are judged by society very frequently. This is because, when sports were first introduced to society it was a "guy thing". Nowadays, it is very normal to see females participate in sports just as equal as the the men. However, they still appear to get judged and are often known to change their appearence because of it. Just because a woman can out do the men in their game doesn't mean that she has to be a man.... Girls can do it too!





 

    The link below is to a video about athletic women. This video addresses the general views on femininity and how these specific views play a role in the lives of female athletes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU9qc1JIC4k

~Katlyn Vickery

Should Athletes in college take the You Can Play Pledge

In an article titled “Pirates take You Can Play Pledge” it discusses the American Hockey League team the Pirates taking a pledge to end homophobia in hockey.  The pledge stated that the athletes would support their teammates, coaches, and fans gay or straight.  This to me spoke volumes because of the fact that there are not many sports that have done this.  Hockey is a very aggressive and masculine sport.  So it really got my attention that these men took this pledge.

This pledge not only covered homophobia, but it also covered racism and sexism.  We have to realize that homophobia is not the only discriminate topic.  As for this topic effecting collegiate sports and other sports besides hockey, I feel it is effective for all sports professional and collegiate to take this pledge, but I have to wonder about the athletes who hold strong beliefs against gay rights.  Does this pledge cause conflict between the ones who are not accepting? And since there are LGBT organizations now in college, could this pledge work in a college sports setting as well? However the pledge could be a dangerous situation because of the fact that not everyone is accepting to the lifestyle.  But should we support this pledge or should we go against it? That is the question.

-Lauaren Tucker

Introduction to Homophobia in Collegiate Sports

An athlete is a person trained to compete in a sport involving physical strength, speed, or endurance.  Athletes are entertainers, role models, and idols.  Many appreciate athletes because the often times have the ability to do what someone cannot.  College athletes are usually young people trying to use their athleticism to get through school or get to the professional level of the sport that they are performing. 

In college many young people find their identities and have a clear understanding of who they want to be.   Unlike high school students, college students have a freer reign when it comes to experimenting with their sexuality, they are away from home, so they feel a sense of freedom.  Many college campuses also have organizations where their students can feel comfortable enough to come out with their sexuality unlike high schools. But you have to wonder, is this true for every student?

If a college athlete, for example a football quarterback, came out the “closet” and confessed that he was a homosexual do you think that he would get the same amount of praise as if he where straight? How would his teammates treat him on the field or in the locker room? How would his fans feel about him?  However if a college male gymnast came out the closet do you think he would face the same problem?  Does it make a difference in the specific sport? In this section of the blog I will be discussing homophobia in collegiate sports

-Lauren Tucker