Gender and University Sports

Tony
Aaron
Ahja
Amanda
Tre
Christopher
Jaylen

Football vs. Volleyball

In this presentation we will be exploring the gender

differences present here at Shepherd University. Our
focal points include:
-Observations made at sporting event
-Gender roles and event staff
-Spectator input
-Overall comparisons
-Overall impact in society

Shepherd Mens Football

Head Coach: Monte Cater (26th season as head coach,
all time winningest head coach
Assistant Head Coach/ Offensive Coordinator: Ernie
McCook
Defensive Coordinator: Josh Kline
Current Record: 5-1
Current Roster Count: 110 players

Football Observations
How many people seem to be in attendance?
About 3,500 people give or take
What level of excitement does the crowd seem to have?
The student/ band section was live, cheering and filled with excitement, while other sections including
the parents were more relaxed and somewhat cheerful. Random Defense and Offence chants and
stomps occurred during intense moments.
What have the event organizers done to promote excitement? (e.g. cheerleaders, mascots,
encouragement from the announcer)
A set cheerleader squad of about 26 females. ZAN the Ram (an actual animal) was present cheering the
players to victory. The announcer used various pitches and exciting tones when introducing players, and
also when announcing calls by the referees.
List the key positions in the delivery of the event(score-keeper, referee, coaches, managers, cheer
squads) and identify the gender of the person in each of those positions. Which positions have the most
power? Are there any gendered patterns here?
The key positions in football are the coaches, referees, and game announcers. Referees make sure players
follow the game rules and play accordingly. Coaches call the plays for their respective teams and have the
ability to pause the game with timeouts. Announcers let the crowd know the score of the game, stats,
and other information related to the event. The referees have the most power because they have the
ability to call the game and make all the decisions for rain delays and penalties. The biggest gender
patterns are this sport contains all males with the exception of two females apart of the water staff, and
the trainers assistant. In the case of this sport, males hold the positions of higher power.

Football Observations Cont.

What types of adjectives does the announcer use when describing the game?
A few adjectives the announcer used during the game: Shaken up, nice hit, zigzag, scrambled,
snagged, punished, and grabbed
What kinds of rituals do the players engage in during the game? (special cheers, shows of support)
During the game it was witnessed that the players and coaches wanted the crowd to be loud as
offense worked to score. Same for defense as they worked to hold the line.
VIDEO: NEXT SLIDE****
In addition, the players walk up the bleachers before the home game and touched the ram statue.
Are men and women attending the game in equal numbers? Do students and non-students equally
attend?
In the case of this homecoming football game there was almost a even distribution of men and
women attending, however men still happen to be the more prominent gender attending this event.
Students were present more then usual but there were more non-students.

SHEPHERD RITUALS

Shepherd Female Volleyball

Head Coach: Sarah Smith (7 years)
Assistant coaches:
Kevin Mennett- (7 years)
Steve Reaves- (4 years)
Jane Thompson- (1st year)
Current Roster Count: 15 players
Current Record: 5-11

Volleyball Observations
How many people seem to be in attendance?
There were roughly 100 to 150 people at the game against Concord on Oct.9th
What level of excitement does the crowd seem to have?
The game didnt seem to exciting at all. There no cheerleaders, band, or attempts to draw excitement
from the game.
What have the event organizers done to promote excitement? (e.g. cheerleaders, mascots,
encouragement from the announcer)
The crowd was very much into the game every time shepherd scored you heard lots of noise.
List the key positions in the delivery of the event(score-keeper, referee, coaches, managers, cheer
squads) and identify the gender of the person in each of those positions. Which positions have the
most power? Are there any gendered patterns here?
The scorekeepers the coaches and the referees. The scorekeeper was a male, the coaches mix
between male and female, and the referees were males. The position that has the most power is the
referees because they have to make sure everything is correct and make sure that each team is
playing by the rules. There were no gender patterns and no cheerleaders.

Volleyball Observations Cont.

What types of adjectives does the announcer use when describing
the game?
He did not use many adjectives.
What kinds of rituals do the players engage in during the game?
(special cheers, shows of support)
The players celebrated and showed support through hugging each
other and team huddles after every point scored.
Are men and women attending the game in equal numbers? Do
students and non-students equally attend?
There were both men and women attending the game in almost equal
numbers. The students were there to but it was not that many of
them. There were also many girls from local little league teams.

Spectator Input: Football

Spectator 1: Wendy McCoy
How often do you attend Shepherd Football games?
I try often to attend the home games here at Shepherd.
Do you regularly attend the games of both the mens and womens teams?
I only attend the mens football game because I have a family friend that plays, Dontrewell who is number 13.
Do you know any of the participants?
Yes, Donnie!
Spectator 2: Sierra Williams
Do you think this sport at this level is worthy of more coverage on television?
I think Shepherds Football team is worthy enough to gain more coverage I think that the school as a whole
should be converted to a Division 1 school
How do you feel mens football compares to womens volleyball?
It is hard for me to compare these two sports because I never really attended a volleyball game; however I
know that one involves a substantial amount of physical contact where the other one does not involve as
much physical contact.
Spectator 3: Anita Williams
Do you think this sport at this level is worthy of more coverage on television?
I do believe Shepherd Football games should gain coverage from bigger television networks of course!
How do you feel mens football compares to womens volleyball?
Ha-ha. I feel like football is more of an aggressive sport with more contact amongst the teams, in volleyball
you are separated by a net, which to me personally is not interesting.

Spectator Input: Football

Spectator 4: Tony Squirewell
What do you think about the level of skill being exhibited on the player field/ court? And are there any lessons
to be learned from it?
I think that the skill exhibited on the players is very high because the talent on these players can easily be division
1 athletes. No there really is no lesson to be learned.
What qualities do you think it takes to be successful in this sport?
It takes responsibility, and also skill and work eithic.
Spectator 5: Brian Johnson
Do you know any of the participants?
Yes, Jaylen Johnson
How much would you be willing to pay to attend a womens game?
Honestly would pay whatever it cost me if it is a sport that I am interested in.
Spectator 6: Troy Pope
What do you think about the level of skill being exhibited on the player field/ court? And are there any lessons
to be learned from it?
I think the level of skill that is being played is good because to play this sport it takes a lot of skill. You can always
improve so I guess you can say there is lessons to be learned.
What qualities do you think it takes to be successful in this sport?
It takes hard work and being willing to give up your time to better yourself in your sport.

Spectator Input: Volleyball

Spectator 1: Emily Rosenberg

How often do you go to these games? Do you regularly attend the games of both the mens and womens
teams? Ask them to explain their answer.
I usually attend games if my schedule calls for it, so no, not regularly. And I mainly attend the girls volleyball
games if I do attend any sporting event.
Do you know any of the participants?
I do not know any of the participants personally, I actually attend the games because I use to play volleyball
in high school.
What qualities do you think it takes to be successful in this sport?
From being a former volleyball player, the sport requires dedication, listening skills, teamwork, and proper
understanding of the game.
Spectator 2: Kirsten Rivers
How much would you be willing to pay to attend a womens game?
I honestly dont mind, sense I enjoy the sport, however at this school due to their current record I would only
pay five dollars.
Do you think this sport at this level is worthy of more coverage on television?
Its sad to say that here at Shepherd, this womens sport lacks many of the basic requirements that will allow
a team to get more coverage. If the volleyball team brought in as much as the football program here then
maybe.
Spectator 3: Maria Picket
How do you feel mens and womens (name of sport) compare to one?
I feel as though mens sports will always have more support because they were around first and one of the
most watched sports being football isnt played by women on a collegiate or professional level.

Spectator Input: Volleyball

Spectator 4:Bill Johnson

He was a white male in his early to mid 40s When asked why he came to the game he
told me he was only there to support his daughter. When asked if he took the sport
seriously he shook his head and laughed. I asked him if he thought the sport should
be televised, he answered with a clear and boisterous no
Spectator 5:Jacob Manning
Former shepherd student, a white male about 26 years old. He revealed that he was
there to support a friend. He told me he didnt take the sport seriously and he didnt
see a reason it should be televised.
Spectator 6: John Crandon
Adult male in his mid 50s, he turned out to be a former volleyball coach. He took the
game extremely seriously, was there for the love of the sport and said it should be
televised and was as important a sport as football baseball or basketball. What a
looney.

Overall Comparisons
How do the events compare? What similarities are there? What the differences exist?
The events are similar because they are both team sports and have protective equipment. They are different
because football is a contact sport, volleyball is played on a court while football is played on a field, and they
are played by different genders.
How do fans perceive the characteristics of male and female players?
Fans perceive football players being more aggressive and violent, while they perceive girls as more lady-like
and being able to conduct themselves with good sportsmanship throughout the game.
Did anyone make unsolicited remarks about sexuality?
No one made any unsolicited remarks about sexuality according to our observations.
What ideas about masculinity & femininity are highlighted in connection with (sport)?
Some ideas highlighted are that men are tougher due to the physical demands of football. Volleyball shows
how with femininity, females are also athletic and have more self-control of their emotions in the heat of the
game.
Are there any social dynamics related to social class or race and ethnicity regarding opinions about mens and
womens college sports?
Yes there are social dynamics related to college sports. One being that men have more power and authority in
the workforce related to sports. For example, how the commissioners of the NFL and NBA are men. Also,
sports broadcasters are primarily men and the audiences dont think women are qualified enough to give
coverage on mens sports.
How is the program and participation funded?
The programs are funded by team participation activities such as selling raffle tickets and sponsorships such
as Under Armour.

References