Yes, Coach, Sir! Um, M'am!

We're late on this story, but it is just too good to let it pass. This Spring, Calvin Coolidge Senior High School in Washington D.C. hired a new head varsity football coach. Why is this news? She is a woman!

Natalie Randolph is a former professional football player and a current science teacher at the school. And, the hire is quite a statement. While it is unclear how many women have been head coaches of boys varsity football teams nationally, there is little doubt that the move is extremely significant - some are calling it historic.

Our Girls Project was fortunate enough to work with members of a women's professional football team, the Sharks. The girls were very inspired by the players' stories and resolve. Hopefully, the boys Natalie Randolph coaches will feel the same way... Congratulations to Coach Randolph and, best of luck on the upcoming season!

A Japanese Heart

As a sports fan, the hopeful outcome of this story about Scott Fujita is to effect change - not just in the world, in general, but more immediately in the world of sports.

Scott Fujita is a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL and will be playing in the Super Bowl this weekend. His life story is compelling, but it is his decision to take a public stance on a divisive social/political topic that has brought him to us today. Fujita is showing his full support for gay rights - specifically, gay marriage.

That an athlete has chosen to take a stance on a controversial topic is not huge news. That he is a professional athlete is. Many of our most famous athletes are constantly criticized for not taking political stances. Their fear is that they will lose support among fans, and more importantly, endorsement money. When approached to endorse a Democratic candidate, Michael Jordan famously declined by saying, "Republicans buy sneakers, too." LeBron James was brought to task when he hesitated to lend his name to a petition against genocide in Darfur. And, legendary NFL running back Jim Brown has been known to speak out on today's athlete and their lack of activism - most recently challenging Tiger Woods.

Scott Fujita doesn't see this decision as courageous. In fact, he doesn't seem to see it as much of a decision at all - just the right thing to do. But, standing alone when others are afraid to join you is indeed courageous.

"Courage is the power to let go of the familiar."

- Raymond Lindquist

Let's hope more professional athletes have the courage to let go of what has been familiar for far too long.

If I Were A Boy…

If you’re an avid sports fan, you think you’ve pretty much seen it all. And, then that happens…

On November 5, 2009, University of New Mexico soccer player Elizabeth Lambert, at best, lost her cool in a game vs. BYU. At worst, she crossed the line between on-field violence and assault. In a video montage that might make Mike Tyson cringe (or smile, not sure), Lambert is seen tugging, pushing, elbowing, punching, kicking, and eventually viciously yanking the ponytail of an opponent on the pitch.This type of incident undoubtedly brings attention from the media and casual fan alike. People not used to seeing how physical contact sports can be are disgusted at what they saw. In particular, many are shocked to see it occur amongst young women.

Most already know that these games are physical. The pushing and elbowing are hardly newsworthy. But, we can probably all agree that the ponytail pull crossed a serious line. Not only could she have seriously injured someone, but it was an ugly cheapshot.

However, there is a place one should take exception in this story. Lambert says, “I definitely feel because I am a female it did bring about a lot more attention than if a male were to do it. It’s more expected for men to go out there and be rough.”

The notion that the story would not warrant such attention if it were men playing - that this type of violence is not a big deal in men’s sports - could not be further from the truth. While many may have been appalled because of the gender of the players involved, let us not forget the type of attention male players receive when their actions extend beyond the unwritten rules of aggressive, but fair play. To avoid turning this into a sports blog, here are some terms you should Google at your own leisure to see if her opinion holds weight:

• Mike Tyson + Evander Holyfield + ear + bite
• J.R. Reid + A.C. Green + teeth
• Rudy Tomjanovich + Kermit Washington + punch
• Jerramy Stevens + Tyler Brayton + knee
• Marty McSorley + Donald Brashear + stick
• Troy Polamalu + hair tackle

The list goes on and on. And, in many of these incidents, fans argued whether criminal charges should have been filed (some were). In certain cases, the violence even led to changes in the laws that govern the sport.

To say men do not receive this type of attention is simply false. If a male player yanked another player’s hair, snapping his neck back while he wasn’t looking? We would have been discussing criminal charges. There is precedence for this type of aggressive act.

Elizabeth Lambert was wrong in her opinion and wrong in her actions. Hopefully, she will continue to try to make it right.