[Bette]

The Southwestern Athletic Conference's first female official in football will work a game this weekend.
The league said Wednesday that Yvonde Lewis will help officiate the Texas College-Texas Southern game Saturday in Houston.
The Houston native and Prairie View graduate became an official in 2004 and has been working high school games.
Lewis won't be the only female SWAC official this season. Sebrina Brunson, who works games in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, will officiate a SWAC game in October.
The two are among five female football officials in Division I, including three in the MEAC and one in Conference USA, according to the SWAC.

Female official to work SWAC football game - USATODAY.com

Whatcha' thinking guys and gals??

[desertrat]

Originally Posted by Bette

The Southwestern Athletic Conference's first female official in football will work a game this weekend.
The league said Wednesday that Yvonde Lewis will help officiate the Texas College-Texas Southern game Saturday in Houston.
The Houston native and Prairie View graduate became an official in 2004 and has been working high school games.
Lewis won't be the only female SWAC official this season. Sebrina Brunson, who works games in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, will officiate a SWAC game in October.
The two are among five female football officials in Division I, including three in the MEAC and one in Conference USA, according to the SWAC.

Female official to work SWAC football game - USATODAY.com

Whatcha' thinking guys and gals??

I hope they don't get hurt, seen a lot of refs get creamed on the job. I personally prefer women stick with women's sports and men stick to men's sports.

[kkfan91]

I think its cool I've always thought that sports should be combined more

[squirrel15]

If she is qualified let her ref. Last I checked you need 2 eyes and a brain not 2 well I'm sure you can figure out the rest

[dmcwv9]

Is this really a story? I mean, no offense, but what difference does it make? A ref is a ref. They all wear stripes.

[Bette]

Originally Posted by dmcwv9

Is this really a story? I mean, no offense, but what difference does it make? A ref is a ref. They all wear stripes.

No, its not really a story. It was a slow day so I made it up.

It must make a diff or there would probably be more than 5, so guess they found it newsworthy.

[dmcwv9]

Yes, but how many total females are there that actually desire to be a referee?

[Bette]

Originally Posted by dmcwv9

Yes, but how many total females are there that actually desire to be a referee?

I dont know why anyone would want to be a referee, but thats a valid question.
I think the newsworthy part of it was women breaking into man's world.

[dmcwv9]

Have they been held back and not allowed to be referees previously?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by dmcwv9

Have they been held back and not allowed to be referees previously?

Probably not held back in the true sense of the word, but more than likely never encouraged to become refs. Many years ago there were virtually no females in racing. Only now is that beginning to change in a noticeable way. It just doesn't happen over night.

[dmcwv9]

Yeah, but you can't really use "not being encouraged" as an excuse.

[Bette]

Originally Posted by dmcwv9

Yeah, but you can't really use "not being encouraged" as an excuse.

I'm not exactly sure what direction you lean in here. Since you are a media major, I suspect you are playing one of my favorite games. That is, taking a stand on the opposite side of the fence just to get a reaction.
You are young, but not so young you dont know the realities of life.
But, I will play the game.
Not being encouraged was LSC's way of saying they have to fight the "Good old Boys' Network" That works against not only women, but also those not in the right group. It happens in sports, business, the media, wherever men have been predominant before. Its hard to break into the Network and so it takes awhile before things happen.
It happens on sports forums too. I have had female members tell me there have been forums where they were told they just didnt belong there. And they were knowledgable in their favorite sports. That doesnt happen here. As long as I have been here, everyone is always welcome. (Well, except troublemakers)
It would be a good thing if everyone would wonder, "Well, what's the story here?" because in their minds there is no story. It's just the way it is.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by dmcwv9

Yeah, but you can't really use "not being encouraged" as an excuse.

Oh I'm sure they are not using it as an excuse but more of a complaint about the male dominated sports world. As much as we'd like to see change happen over night .. it just doesn't work that way. It'll be a long uphill battle and in "X" many years they will finally be considered equals and at that time everyone will wonder why it took so long and why the good old boys fought it all the way to the bitter end.

[desertrat]

Are there any plans yet for a women's football league or do they already have one I just haven't heard about yet?

[dmcwv9]

Originally Posted by Bette

I'm not exactly sure what direction you lean in here. Since you are a media major, I suspect you are playing one of my favorite games. That is, taking a stand on the opposite side of the fence just to get a reaction.
You are young, but not so young you dont know the realities of life.
But, I will play the game.
Not being encouraged was LSC's way of saying they have to fight the "Good old Boys' Network" That works against not only women, but also those not in the right group. It happens in sports, business, the media, wherever men have been predominant before. Its hard to break into the Network and so it takes awhile before things happen.
It happens on sports forums too. I have had female members tell me there have been forums where they were told they just didnt belong there. And they were knowledgable in their favorite sports. That doesnt happen here. As long as I have been here, everyone is always welcome. (Well, except troublemakers)
It would be a good thing if everyone would wonder, "Well, what's the story here?" because in their minds there is no story. It's just the way it is.

Well maybe I'm just naive, but I don't think female officials are being held back as much as you think.