Penn State Brandywine presents: Women in Athletics

“You are not a girl, you’re an athlete.” Those were and still are the words that guide Candy E. Young, Athletic Director at Delaware State University.  Ms. Young shared the words of her Farleigh Dickinson University Track Coach when reflecting on her experience being the only female on a men’s track team at Thursday night’s Women in Athletics panel discussion.  Not only was Candy the only “girl” on the team, but she had received a Men’s athletic scholarship to participate because there was no women’s track program.   

Young was one of five women to share her experiences as a female in athletics.  Ms. Young was joined by former Sports Journalist and PSU Alum Jamie Fettrow-Alderfer, Penn State Brandywine Alum and dual sport athlete Steph Tracy, and current Penn State Brandywine athletes Brandy Flowers (Volleyball and Basketball) and Emily Lawry-Thompson (Basketball).  

Steph Tracy could relate to Candy’s mention of being the only woman on a men’s team as that was her experience when playing soccer at Brandywine.  While Steph was the only Lady Lion on the squad, she received support much like Candy did from the Athletic staff.  She especially credited Athletic Director Jim Gastner with not only providing support but also the encouragement she needed to continue her education.  She said that her degree was the greatest benefit she received from being an athlete. 

Emily Lawry-Thompson could also relate to lack of availability of a women’s team, when she shared “today you will find girls AAU teams available, but there were none when I was a kid.”  Both Lawry-Thompson and Young agreed that typically men are introduced to sports at a much earlier age than women.  

In addition discussing the availability of programs for women in comparison to men, Jamie Fettrow-Alderfer raised the question of media coverage of women’s sports.   She specifically referred to the recent achievement of Lasalle University’s men basketball team and University of Delaware’s women making it to the Sweet 16.  While the state of Delaware falls within the Philadelphia viewing area, the UD women’s achievement was barely covered in comparison to the men of LaSalle.   Flowers recalled being asked who she thought would win the championship and when she shared “I think Notre Dame can win it,” the person said “oh, I didn’t know they were in the tournament.”  She was referring to the women’s tournament not the men.  While female athletes their share of issues with media coverage, they also have to deal with sports culture biases. 

Sports culture biases are the assumptions associated with player simply because of the sport they’re playing.  Lawry-Thompson mentioned being questioned about her sexuality depending on which sport she played.   “When I played basketball, I was asked if I was a Lesbian. When I played volleyball there was no question.”  Fettrow-Alderfer noted female sports journalist have the opposite assumptions made about them.  She shared “people think you’re in locker room looking for a husband.”  She went on to draw laughs from the audience as she stated “if you’ve ever smelled a locker room, you’re just trying to hold your breath because to the smell. You want to get your story and go.”   

Not only is sexuality questioned for women but also the intensity of their play/participation.  Flowers and Lawry-Thompson mentioned the expectation of being a lady while being an athlete.  As female athletes you are not expected to be aggressive and play with the same passion as men. 

Forty-one years after the signing of Title IX, each of the panelists has benefited from the doors opened by others and they all agreed that there is a possibility of doors closing depending on the resources and mentors available. As professionals, both Young and Fettrow-Alderfer work to keep doors open for all young people in their respective fields.  Young trains each of her staff members to one day take her position and is willing to mentor young people with an interest in her field.   Fettrow-Alderfer is gives back through her work as a faculty member teaching Communications at both Brandywine and PSU World Campus and is involved with Uplifting Athletes, a national non-profit that raises money and awareness for rare diseases.

Given the insights shared the panelists and the questions posed by the audience, there is definitely room for further discussion on this topic.