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Legendary Coaches, Faculty & Progress Of Women's Athletics - Apr 23, 2008
posted by: Josh
• We're a couple of days late, but congratulations to Danica Patrick for winning the Indy Japan 300 on Sunday and becoming the first woman in a century of open-wheel racing to win an event. While I'm confident that auto racing will likely never be a collegiate sport, it's important to note the progress women have made across athletics in general. What worries me, however, is when female athletes pose provocatively in magazine spreads after finding success in competition. We all know sex sells, but do female athletes have a responsibility to stay away from endorsements and other displays that promote their sexuality instead of athletic prowess? • Legendary Arkansas cross country and track and field coach John McDonnell has announced he will retire following the 2008 outdoor season. One of the most successful coaches in NCAA history, McDonnell has led the Razorbacks to 42 national titles, more than any coach of a single-gender sport in the history of collegiate sports. Kenyon swimming coach Jim Steen has won 47 national titles while spending the past 32 years at the helm of both programs. • Brandeis head baseball coach and Centor-Mentor Pete Varney picked up his 600th career victory on Monday in a 6-0 victory over UMass-Dartmouth. Coach Varney becomes the 28th Division III coach in history to reach the milestone and third to do so this season. After Tuesday's loss to Amherst, Varney now boasts a career record of 600-361.
• On Monday afternoon, three teenagers fainted while practicing synchronized swimming in a Washington state pool. The three members of the Seattle Synchronized Swim Team were resuscitated, thanks in large part the preparedness of the head coach and other trained professionals on site. • The campuses of Duke and North Carolina aren't but a few miles apart, but the bitter rivals don't do much together. That will change this summer, when student-athletes from both universities launch a joint program in Vietnam. The Tar Heels and Blue Devils will work alongside host-country college students and conduct sports clinics for children ages 11-15. The concept of "Coach for College" was developed by former Duke tennis student-athlete Parker Goyer. • Members of the Westminster Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted a field day earlier this month, instructing, officiating and playing with fourth-graders from Wilmington Elementary School in a variety of sports. • We can't go too long without some sort of Lauren Ross note. The Western Carolina softball standout has launched a Web site featuring her vocal stylings. Lauren and bandmate Casey Melvin have been singing together for about a year and a half. Word out of Cullowhee is that Lauren will be submitting a guest blog soon. • The Faculty Athletics Representatives Association developed a statement of purpose that reads: "The official faculty voice ensuring balance between academics and athletics for the benefit of student-athletes at more than 1,000 NCAA colleges and universities." 
CommentsI think the question of female athletes using their sexuality to promote their sport is a complicated one and probably best left up to each individual athlete. While I don't know that I would ever feel comfortable posing naked in a men's magazine even if I had the body of an athlete, I also don't think I have the right to say someone else shouldn't do it. I think it's great that Danica won and she is a great trendsetter for the sport. Should male athletes use their sexuality to promote their sport or a product for that matter? Men pose shirtless all the time. What's the difference? I think if the athlete is comfortable with the pose and it's tastefully done there is no problem with it. Why be ashamed of a beautiful body honed from years of athletics? I tend to agree with Michelle that it's a very personal decision and it's tough to second-guess an individual’s motivations. However, I find it disheartening that the media tends to sexualize women far more than it does men. It is a subversive tactic that undermines the women's legitimacy and subtly sends the message that women are nothing more than objects to be ogled. A great example of this is in the coverage of Hillary's campaign. Never would media cover the new hairstyle of a male candidate, except to point out the excess of spending too much for a haircut. Hillary can expect to read articles about her dress, hair, weight and anything else related to her physical appearance. Could George Bush or Bill Clinton expect the same? Interestingly, like Danica, Hillary has brilliantly used these gender-role politics to her advantage, musing recently that she should get more credit than Obama because, "it takes me longer to get ready in the morning." While it may have some advantage for the individual to pose provocatively or use gender stereotypes to her advantage, the overarching hegemonic impact undermines the female gender and ultimately feeds the beast of gender inequity. A Woman's (often) Superior Sexual Prowess = Weapon/Gift A Man's (often) Superior Strength and Physical Power = Weapon/Gift Don't we all have a right to use our weapons and gifts in a way that benefit us -- as long as we don't harm others? :) Go Danica! Post a Comment |
  
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