Sports - Girls/Women

---

Menstuff® is actively compiling information and books on the issue of sports for girls/women. No limits.

Sarah Burke Dead at 29. 7:33

Haunting image said to be the accident. I do not recommend watching this.

 

FIFA article draws criticism for referring to Morgan's looks
Bowling
Women Racers
Title IX
If You'd Only Let Me Play
Program Reduces Eating Disorders In Girl Athletes
Why Do Young Female Athletes Lose Their Periods?
My Daughter's A Pro-Linebacker
What if She Doesn't Like Sports?
Women's Pro Football is Back with a Whack
Breast Cancer Awareness Day & the NFL
Introduction to NFL Football for Her
Women of the NFL
NFL for Kids
Flag Football for Girls, Too
World Cup Inspiration
Media Coverage of Women's Sports
Road To Salt Lake
Too Much Exposure?
Women Get the Gold…and the Ink
NCAA's Special Rules
Real Sports Features Women's Pro Soccer in 2002 Collectors' Edition
Ten Ways to Encourage Daughters' Participation in Sports
Books
Resources

If You'd Only Let Me Play

I've got a rather radical concept about women in sports. Instead of doing all this separation of grade, high school and college funds by women's sports and men's sports, why don't we simply say that all sports are open to women and men. If we start girls in grade school competing against the best boys and girls in the sport, we'll have better competition. But, we start girls out at a disadvantaging, separating them and giving them fewer advantages. I've seen girl's quarterback their high school team to the state championship. Some will say, "But look at the records. Men have always been stronger and faster than women." And I agree, except for sports like wrestling and the martial arts. In most other sports that require physical strength, there will usually be a man at the top. However, I believe that some women will be above most of the remaining men. I remember "The Flea". He weighed less than 160 pounds and had the record for the most kickoffs for touchdowns for the Kansas City Chiefs. His advantage was that he was very small and quick and could escape the defense. If we, men and women, allow women equal access to time, training and competition against the best in the sport, from day one, I think we'll be amazed how many women will excel. Then, maybe, we get off this thing about sex and get onto the concept of the most capable person. Like high school and college wrestling today, there are girls and women who are succeeding, and my bet is that even the best have not been allowed as much access to the best equipment, training and competition that the best boys and men have had access to. Let's make all sports available to all athletes from day one in school and then we'll really see "the best person win". Think about it! (World Cup)

Why Do Young Female Athletes Lose Their Periods?

www.healthcentral.com/drdean/DeanFullTextTopics.cfm?ID=53843&src=n2

My Daughter's A Pro-Linebacker

Women's Pro Football is Back with a Whack

The Teams

American Conference (West):
Austin Rage
Houston Energy
Oklahoma City Wildcats

National Football Conference (South):
Daytona Beach Barracudas
Miami Fury
Tampa Tempest

National Football Conference (East):

New York Sharks
New England Storm
New York Galaxy

Week 1 Results

Week 2 Results

Week 3 Results

Week 4 Results

Week 5 Results

Week 6 Results

Week 7 Results

Week 8 Results

Week 9 Results

Tampa Tempest won 8 to 7 over a possible 2001 expansion team, the Carolina Cougars in an exhibition game, the only other game played this week.

Week 10 Results

Week 11 Results

Week 12 Schedule

*  Exhibition game(s).

Introduction to NFL Football for Her

NFL for Her intends to show a woman's perspective that entertains no matter what your interest level. Topics include:

• Different road, same destination: Women and men are different kinds of football fans. But that doesn't mean women are any less knowledgable, writes Lisa Zimmerman.
• The NFL and the Komen Foundation: October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the NFL continues its partnership with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
• Strategies and Analyis by Betsy Berns. Author Betsy Berns breaks down the "bootleg" in this week's Play of the Week.
• Kordell joins the cause. Steelers QB Kordell Stewart has had personal experience with cancer through his mother's death.
• Mama Bear. Virginia McCaskey, daughter of George Halas and the Bears' principal owner, has been called the "first lady of the NFL."
• McNair now fighting for others. Janice McNair, the wife of the Houstan Texans' owner, is a breast-cancer survivor now trying to help others with the disease.
• Football 101 for women. Are you ready for some football? Women are answering yes and are going to school to learn even more about the NFL.
• Mothers know best. Jamal Anderson's mother Zenobia is leading the fight against breast cancer, and Jamal is helping out too.
• "Sportsmap" helps fans and others. 30-year NFL coaching veteran Tom Bass is selling his quick football reference guide for the benefit of breast cancer research.
• Barr Weaver giving back. Delores Barr Weaver is making a difference in Jacksonville, where she is the driving force behind the Jaguars Foundation.
• Broncos wives make a difference. For 19 years, Denver Broncos fans have generously contributed to the annual Broncos Wives Food Drive.
• NFL for Her Sportswear. Tired of wearing guy's shirts? The NFL has a line of clothes fit for women.
  

Women of the NFL

• Virginia McCaskey: Mama Bear. Virginia McCaskey, daughter of George Halas and the Bears' principal owner, has been called the "first lady of the NFL."
• Janice McNair: Fighting a familiar battle. Janice McNair, the wife of the Houstan Texans' owner, is a breast-cancer survivor now trying to help others with the disease.
• Delores Barr Weaver: Giving Back. Delores Barr Weaver is making a difference in Jacksonville, where she is the driving force behind the Jaguars Foundation.
• Zenobia Anderson: Mother Superior. Jamal Anderson's mother Zenobia is leading the fight against breast cancer, and Jamal is helping out too.
• Gayle Mariucci: Home is where the coach is. Being married to an NFL head coach is an experience that Gayle Mariucci would not trade for any other.
• Andrea Kremer: Trailblazing sports reporter. ESPN's Andrea Kremer has proven that talent and knowledge go a long way.
• Jeanne Bonk: Certified pigskin accountant. Every workday is a dream come true for the San Diego Chargers' chief financial and administrative officer. 
• Adele Harris: Mother of 1,000 sons. In 1975, women in the business side of the NFL were as rare as 200-pound tackles. Today, they are anything but a rarity.
• Tola Murphy-Baran: Born to Broadcast. NFL Enterprises' Tola Murphy-Baran has turned a childhood dream into a big-business reality.
• Amy Trask: Commitment to Equality. The Raiders' Amy Trask never set out to open doors but she is quietly blazing some trails.
  

Flag Football for Girls, Too

Coaches and Parents - find out everything you need to know to start, operate or coach an NFL Flag league.

Breast Cancer Awareness Day & the NFL

Fashion and football unite!

Renowned American designer, Nicole Miller, has joined forces with the NFL to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the fight against breast cancer. She has designed a colorful silk print which celebrates the NFL and Komen Foundation. Using her flair for design, Nicole's print shows the "softer side of football" with playful football icons and the NFL pink ribbon.

The NFL not only gives a monetary donation ($50k) to the Komen Foundation but also will be supporting the cause with a seven-figure national advertising campaign consisting of 26 in-game spots, 48 daytime spots and 55 ESPN spots.

Famous football players have also donated their time to the cause. While the burly football players might appear tough on the field, off the field they have shown their warmth and love for their family members who have been afflicted by this terrible disease. Whether it is doing a TV commercial or participating in a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, players have been participating in the fight against breast cancer.

While the NFL players lend their time and support, Nicole Miller has also shown her enthusiasm. Not only will she unveil her signature NFL/Komen print on Oct. 24th from 6-8 p.m. at her Madison Avenue boutique, but Monday Night Football fans can tune in to see Melissa Stark interview Nicole on Oct. 23rd during halftime of the Miami Dolphins — New York Jets game. The world will see the Nicole Miller tie and scarf and be able to purchase the items on www.nflshop.com

(Editor: We appplaud this act by the NFL, General Motors for developing a special car, the purchase of which supported Breast Cancer Research, and many other corporations that are helping fight this deadly disease. We only wish they cared that much about the equal number of men who will die this year because there is no cure and very little funding of research regarding prostate cancer.)

World Cup Inspiration

Media Coverage of Women's Sports

Road To Salt Lake

When the Olympic flame flies high over Salt Lake City in 2002, the National Governing Body (NGB) USA Hockey women's national team will be the next American team in search of back-to-back golds, following its 1998 gold medal-winning performance in Nagano, Japan, where the U.S. beat Canada in the finals. Earlier this month, the women's team took further strides toward Salt Lake some 2000-plus miles away in Lake Placid, New York, where the team began training at its new permanent training home.

To get an idea of the development of women's hockey one need only look at the schedule planned for the 2000-2023 winter campaign. Prior to the Nagano Games in 1998, the U.S. women competed almost exclusively against Canada and a few U.S. college teams. This time around additional women's college teams from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will be added as well as teams from Canada's National Women's Hockey League (NWHL). Along with the games in Lake Placid, the U.S. squad will also be matriculating in the Four Nations Cup in Salt Lake City in November 2000 - and in the 2001 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women's World Championships in Minnesota in April 2001.

Dotting the U.S. frozen pond roster are 14 players from the 1998 gold medal-winning squad, including the likes of pipeminders Sarah Tueting and Sara DeCosta; blueliners Chris Bailey, Sue Merz, A.J. Mleczko, Tara Mounsey, and Angela Ruggiero; and forwards Laurie Baker, Alana Blahoski, Karyn Bye, Tricia Dunn, Cammi Granato, Katie King, and Shelley Looney. The national team began training October 1, 2000.

 Too Much Exposure?

The flesh issue generated a ton of comment and columns. I wish folks were as consumed about unequal treatment of girls and women in sport as they are with arguing that it's okay for female athletes to display their muscles by appearing unclothed. Why the double standard for female athletes? It's okay for the media to memorialize the athletic performances of male athletes while portraying female athletes as sex objects? I'm waiting for any sport magazine to run a photo of Tiger Woods stark naked with both hands covering his genitalia? Would they even ask him to do it?

Speaking of Tiger Woods, if I was Karrie Webb, I might think of taking my clothes off to see if that performance would rate media coverage equivalent to Tiger's, because matching up to his golf game hasn't. Who is Karrie Webb you say? Overall, Karrie has racked up 24 tourney wins (Woods=25), 21 on the Tour (Woods=22), two in international non-tour events (Woods=3). How about this year? In 2000, Webb won five Tour events (Woods=7), two international non-tour events (Woods=0), finished in the top ten 14 times (Woods=12) and sports a 70.0 scoring average (Woods=68.5). Pretty close, don't you think? However, Woods is a page one story about a young pro who may be the greatest golfer of them all and Webb is lucky if she makes page eight and media isn't comparing her to anyone.

There is another area where Webb and Woods are not in the same ballpark: career earnings. Woods' career earnings are $18,007,950 vs. $5,854,370 for Webb. It's a wonder that more female athletes don't take off their clothes.

Speaking of purses, I loved Stacy Dragila's quote in the August 20, 2000 edition of the New York Times. Dragila, world champ in the women's pole vault was reflecting on the fact that she received 50% of the $60,000 won by her male counterpart in the 1999 world championships in Spain. Looking ahead to the 2000 Olympic Games, where she is the gold medal favorite, she said, "I hope I don't get half a medal."

Speaking of purse equity, kudos to the U.S. Open, the only Grand Slam tennis event that has equal prize money for men and women.

Now, if only Anna Kournikova could win the Open and appear in Sports Illustrated with her clothes on.

Postscript: The week this column went to press, Tiger Woods and Karrie Webb both shot 61 at tournaments on their respective tournaments, both scores of which were course records; however, Tiger's 61 was on a par 70 course which was -9. Karrie's 61 was on a par 72 course which was -11. Millions of people saw Tiger's feat because TV showed every shot he made. No one saw Karrie other than the individuals who were at the tournament and following her.

Donna A. Lopiano is the Executive Director of the Women's Sports Foundation (AOL Keyword: WSF)

Women Get the Gold…and the Ink

In fact, news organizations that barely recognize women's sports throughout the normal sports year go absolutely crazy covering female athletes at the Games. At many Olympics, including the just-completed Sydney Summer Games, a women's event - be it Marion Jones on the track, Jenny Thompson in the pool or Mia Hamm on the soccer field - often is the plum assignment of the day, the place any journalist wants to be.

Trust me, this is not the norm during the other 102 weeks of the two-year Olympic cycle. The average red-blooded American male sportswriter still does not like to cover women's sports, and sometimes his editor doesn't push him to do so. Things definitely are changing; more men, especially younger men, do report on women's sports, and there certainly is less grumbling about women's sports as each day goes by.

According to my own very informal poll, the main reason some male sportswriters don't want to report on female athletes is that they are not as big, fast or strong as the men. Now there's a news flash. This helps explain why, for instance, quite a few golf writers have, over the years, not wanted to cover women's golf tournaments, or why some basketball writers don't report on the WNBA.

But when male sportswriters put Olympic media credentials around their necks, things change dramatically. Why? Because women almost always become the stars of the American Olympic team. A man who wouldn't be caught dead covering the WNBA, for instance, gladly shows up at the women's gold-medal basketball game.

Women and men are on such an equal playing field at the Games that there is no stigma attached to a macho sportswriter who covers a female athlete. If anything, there's more of a cachet to covering the U.S. women because they tend to do better than their male counterparts. That's because our very best female athletes become Olympians. Our very best male athletes, on the other hand, often end up in the NFL or in major-league baseball, and never come to the Games.

And have you noticed a strange little adjective creeping into the stories you've read and heard the past two weeks from Sydney? It's a four-letter word: men's.

"The U.S. men's basketball team..." or "the U.S. men's soccer team," or "the U.S. men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay team."

Outside of the Olympic fortnight, most news organizations act as if the men play the "real" game, and the women are the weak stepsisters. So if it's the men's game, it's called, simply, basketball, or soccer, or tennis, while for the women, it's "women's basketball," "women's soccer," "women's tennis."

For two weeks every two years, counting both the Winter and Summer Olympics, U.S. women athletes receive the coverage they are due. Another 102 weeks of that and the sports media will finally have its act together.

Christine Brennan, USA Today Sports columnist, network television analyst and the author of the best-selling books Inside Edge and Edge of Glory, is a leading voice on the Olympics, international sports, women's sports and various sports issues.

NCAA's Special Rules

Real Sports Features Women's Pro Soccer in 2002 Collectors' Edition