COLUMN: Learning to appreciate women’s sports
While sitting amongst the throng of screaming, cheering Grizzly fans at the Logan-Roy high school football game Friday night, I noticed the spectators were not comparing the high school game to the college game.
We watch high school athletics and enjoy it for what it is. Millions watch college athletics each week without comparing the games to the professional ranks.
Why is it then that we still haven’t learned how to watch women’s athletics without comparing them to men’s?
I’m as guilty as the next person.
I would attend a women’s sporting event, feel it was too slow or there wasn’t as much action as the men at a comparable event, and I wouldn’t really enjoy the game like I should – I didn’t understand how.
After interviewing the new Utah State women’s basketball coach, Raegan Pebley, Aggie softball hitting coach Lonny Sargent and player/coach Kristi Schow of the new women’s hockey team, the Cache Valley Freeze, I now have a better understanding of women’s athletics.
They all shared a common theme during their respective interviews; if a spectator attends a women’s sporting event, they shouldn’t compare it to the men’s game.
Women’s athletics are not the same as men’s in any venue and should be judged by their own standards not by standards set for men.
“Of course, the game is going to be a little slower, women are not as strong as men,” Pebley said. “But if fans will come and watch the game and appreciate it for what it is, they’re going to see some great basketball.”
The women’s game relies on set plays, skill and timing. The “biggest and the baddest” do not control the game. It takes a team playing together to win the game.
The game women play is pure sport, competition and hard work. They still have a common goal to win like the men do, but the comparisons should end there.
I attended a practice of the Cache Valley Freeze on Wednesday night that was scheduled to begin at 10:15 but started a half-hour late because the ice was being resurfaced.
There was no moaning or groaning from the players because it was already late and practice had been delayed.
I was more upset about the late start than they were, as I had a deadline to meet for a story.
They took to the ice and started their pre-practice ritual of stretching and conditioning as if nothing had happened. From there they moved to a shooting and passing drill.
When a player would miss a pass, there was no laughing or smiling, the player would get upset, do it again and try to get it right.
When they would bump into each other there was no screaming or giggling, they continued to work and stayed focused on what they were trying to accomplish.
Watching the team, a spectator would swear they were watching a legitimate hockey practice. Which, of course, is exactly what it is. I realized after a short period of time I was enjoying watching the practice, because it was athletes working hard, enjoying their sport and preparing themselves for an upcoming game; I wasn’t comparing the level of play the women’s team was demonstrating to the USU club men’s team.
I had somehow or another learned to appreciate the sport for what it was, women’s hockey.
My newfound education will come with me to other women’s athletic venues I will be attending in the future.
“I hope the fans will come and watch us without comparing us to the USU hockey team,” Schow said. “I think if they watch us for what we are, and give us a chance, the fans will learn to enjoy our game.”
It’s different from the men’s game.
Women’s athletics have made inroads in acceptance and opportunity in the last decade. But it is still hanging by a thread when it comes to fan support.
I would encourage all sports fans to attend as many women’s athletic events as they can. When a fan learns to watch women compete as athletes in their own right, without comparisons, they will enjoy the games they attend that much more.
I know I have.
Earl Scott is a junior majoring in print journalism. Comments can be sent to eds@cc.usu.edu.