Women throughout history have strived to become equally acquainted with men in all aspects of society. From voting, to the work force, to athletics, women have worked to receive the same rights as men.
In 1972 women finally reached new heights when Title IX was passed. Fairfield was not too far behind when women’s basketball became the first varsity sport in 1973-74. Field hockey followed suit, starting their program the following year.
The programs have only become better over the years. Fairfield’s women’s sports now over power the men with 11 varsity sports while the men only have eight. Fairfield athletics have more than risen to the standards to support female sports, but why haven’t the fans?
As much as sports are a way for the athletes to compete, they were initially played for the spectators. Sports gave audiences a new form of entertainment and has grown into something our society now gives celebrity status to.
This season, Fairfield’s female sports have been projected to do better than the men overall. Women’s lacrosse, for example, were ranked second in the preseason poll, while the men failed to gain a ranking in the ECAC.
Softball was also predicted second in the MAAC preseason poll, while baseball received a vote of ninth.
And while these are just numbers, these sports do not receive the recognition and support that they could from their community.
There are not many of us that can throw a softball 50 miles per hour, like Cagney Rignalda ’07. Or that can perfectly place a tennis ball on the court, such as Alexis Accomando ’07. So why aren’t we out there supporting those that can?
We’ve all heard the common argument, that women’s sports are slow, uncompetitive and lacking in the strength that men’s programs offer. In some aspects this is true, but I know plenty of people who would not want to stand in front of a spike from the volleyball team.
And while women’s sports may be “slower” we are just as hard hitting and as competitive to watch as men, and in some cases even more so.
So what gives?
At the end of the day all sports, male or female have one thing in common; to win. Whether it is sliding into home plate or putting a ball in the back of the net, all sports have an outcome.
And those athletes that play will never stop being competitive. They will never stop striving for better from themselves, from their teammates and for the good of the program.
Women have made huge advancements on the field in the past two decades. We have gone from women cheerleading on the sideline to seeing the first woman dunk a ball in a college basketball game.
The Women’s National Basketball Association, women’s national and international soccer programs, and the Lady’s Professional Golf Association have established themselves as premier leagues.
Who doesn’t know Annika Sorenstam or Venus Williams? Not to mention I am pretty sure the Williams sisters could out bench press half of the boys at Fairfield.
In fact, you are more likely to “Google” Maria Sharapova than Tiger Woods. Little girls now have role models in sports to look up to and no longer need to feel ashamed to want to put on a softball glove or tie up a pair of cleats.
Women athletes of the past, such as Billie Jean King, would be proud to see that they have become the role models for women athletes of the future. This idea translates even into college athletics when your teammates are the ones to encourage you strive for the best.
We have seen some of the best female athletes come through Fairfield during our generation. In lacrosse, Beth Laffredo, who graduated in 2006, broke numerous school records and was nationally ranked at the end of her season, but were you there to see it?
Freshmen tennis players, Paulina Rys and Dana Postupack, are marked to be one of the best doubles teams in Fairfield history. But will you come to watch?
Like all athletes, we play because we enjoy the sport. What we do on the field is our magic and we can even make it look pretty. And as much as we play for ourselves and our teammates, we play for those who support what we do as athletes.
Records are waiting to be broken and championships are ready to be made.
So why support women’s sports?
Because we are your peers, we are your colleagues we are the hot girls sitting next to you in class. But most importantly because women have finally made a break onto the field, and that should be celebration enough.
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