Are Ladies and Ettes Welcome in Mascot Names?
Today, Saturday June 23, 2012, is the 40th anniversary of Title IX. In part, Title IX states:
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity
The introduction and passage of Title IX has made a tremendous impact on women in athletics, however there are many instances throughout the nation where ground can be gained for females.
A few years ago I interviewed Kathy Waggoner, the Associate Director of Residence Life at Monmouth College, on her presentation "Why is Title IX Still Critical?" During the discussion she brought up a point about the term "ladies" and "ettes" in mascot names and how it is demeaning to female athletes.
Prior to my conversation with Waggoner, I had a similar mascot discussion with then Bushnell-Prairie City/Avon girls basketball coach Julie Blout. The B-PC and Avon schools were beginning an all-sports co-op. Prior to this the Bushnell-Prairie City girls basketball team were known as the "Lady Spartans." However, the term "Lady" was dropped at the time of the co-op with Avon. Coach Blout was adamant at keeping the term "Lady Spartans" intact.
Following these two conversations, I found it to be of great interest due to the differing views, especially those of two females in regards to the terms. These conversations came during the "Quest 2: 150" when I was setting out to broadcast 150 high school basketball games in one season, and blogging about my journey. During rare off days I would try to write a feature blog of interest in high school athletics and had planned one on this very topic for a future blog post.
For my "Lady" mascot blog I sent out emails to about two dozen girls basketball coaches, both male and female and had a variety of results pour in. Unfortunately I never used those responses for a blog, but kept them just in case a good time would come. What better time to break out the archives and display the results of my informal survey.
I simply posed one question to the coaches included in my survey.
"Are you in favor of the usage of 'Lady' before mascot names in girls athletics, why or why not?"
The email was sent out at 12:48 p.m. on January 25, 2011. Within two hours all of the responses had come in. Here are 10 responses to the question that was received.
South Fulton coach Carl Beebe
Coach Beebe's daughter Carly was a standout player under Carl and will be playing college basketball at Quincy University. South Fulton advanced to the Class 1A sectional championship game this past season.
"I think it is fine and we use Lady in front of all our team events. I think it distinguishes the boys and girls programs. Which in my opinion is good."
Montini Catholic coach Jason Nichols
Coach Nichols has led the Broncos to three consecutive state championships (2010, 2011, 2012) in Class 3A and has an overall win-loss record of 328-66.
"They use Lady Broncos when our games are announced. During introductions. Ask me if I care? I don't either way. One of our assistants (male) wants all our sweatshirts, t-shirts, and pullovers to always say Montini Catholic girls basketball. Other than that we don't use Lady Broncos on anything and really has never been discussed as an issue here at Montini. Our girls, just like the guys, are part of the Montini Catholic High School BRONCOS community!"
Rochester coach (and former Pana coach) J.R. Boudouris
Boudouris won three regional championships at Pana during his six years as its head coach (129-52). He took over the Rochester girls basketball program in 2011-12 and won 19 games.
Note: Boudouris was at Pana when this survey was completed.
"I am against 'Lady" mascots. We are the Panthers, same as the boys, which is indicated in our basketball program, on our uniforms, etc. I feel like the term 'lady' was introduced during the inception of girls' competitive athletics to imply that girls could compete yet still remain 'ladies' (as if athletic competition is somehow 'unlady-like'). I've heard some valid arguments in favor of 'lady' in front of the mascot name, including the fact that it gives the girls their own unique nickname. However, I am not in favor of it, for the aforementioned reasons."
Quincy Notre Dame coach Eric Orne
Orne has led QND to back-to-back Class 2A state championships and four appearances in the IHSA state finals. Orne has a career record of (304-73) in 12 seasons as head coach.
"I prefer Lady Raiders. It's our tradition here at QND more than anything else. Not opposed if other schools feel differently."
Havana coach Jerry Wilson
Wilson guided Havana to three consecutive appearances in the Elite Eight (2009, 2010, 2011).
"I really have no problem either way, but it was so difficult to get the Havana people to buy into girls basketball due to the 'old guard' followers of Bob Gregurich and the successful boys programs here in the late 70's/early 80's that I labeled us the Lady Ducks. This further infuriated the 'old guard' which was partly my objective. I feel that if the girls want somewhat their own identity, so be it."
Anonymous
This coach asked to remain anonymous, they have compiled over 400 career victories.
"I am adamantly against it. UNLESS the boys start going by 'gentelemen' then it would be ok with me. I think we are all the same mascot."
Annawan coach Jason Burkiewicz
Burkiewicz guided the Bravettes to an Elite Eight finish in 2011-12 and has compiled a 52-8 coaching record in two seasons at Annawan.
"Our girls like being the Bravettes. If they are happy with it I am fine with it. I have no opinion on it either way teams do it."
Rock Island coach Thad Hoover
Hoover has coached the Rocks for four seasons, guiding the team to a regional championship in 2008-09.
"I don't like it a whole lot. If our mascot is the 'Rocks,' I think we should all be 'Rocks'."
Hinckley-Big Rock coach Greg Burks
Burks led H-BR to back-to-back state championships in 2008-09 and 2009-10. The Lady Royals advanced to the Elite Eight in 2010-11.
"We use Lady Royals. I've never understood why you need to designate 'Lady' but it doesn't matter too much to me."
Former Bushnell-Prairie City/Avon coach Julie Blout
Blout guided B-PC/A to the Class 1A sectionals during the 2009-10 season. Blout resigned at the end of the 2011-12 season.
"I am 100% in favor of it. The Lady was taken away from us when the total co-op happened for B-PC/A. I tried for 2 years to get it back and they finally said it was ok for me to refer to the team as Ladies and if we made our own t-shirts or anything it could have Lady on it. The one thing though is they would not buy uniforms with Lady on it only Spartans or Trojans (junior high mascot). I feel it was somewhat of a win for us. The girls were very disappointed when the Lady was taken away, as well as myself.
I was one of the first Lady Spartans. When Cindy Shonkwiler (Arthur) came to town she started using it during my junior year, which was the 79-80 season and Lady was used until the 06-07 season. The way I presented it to the co-op board was with pictures of the mascot. I asked if our mascot was male or female and they all agreed 'male.' I brought pictures of all mascots in the conference and pointed out which ones were gender specific and told them they all used Lady before the mascot name. I do not think this would be an issue if the mascot was not gender specific. Such as Wildcats, Tigers, Ducks, Bullets, Rockets, and so on. But the Spartan, Indian, Trojan, Patriot, Farmer were definitely a male.
If we do consolidate in the future I hope all those involved in the new mascot will take this into consideration to not use a gender specific mascot. I feel women have to be proud of what they are. We were born a Lady and should never be ashamed of it."
***What are your thoughts on the usage of "Lady" or "Ettes" on mascots in athletics?
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity
The introduction and passage of Title IX has made a tremendous impact on women in athletics, however there are many instances throughout the nation where ground can be gained for females.
A few years ago I interviewed Kathy Waggoner, the Associate Director of Residence Life at Monmouth College, on her presentation "Why is Title IX Still Critical?" During the discussion she brought up a point about the term "ladies" and "ettes" in mascot names and how it is demeaning to female athletes.
Prior to my conversation with Waggoner, I had a similar mascot discussion with then Bushnell-Prairie City/Avon girls basketball coach Julie Blout. The B-PC and Avon schools were beginning an all-sports co-op. Prior to this the Bushnell-Prairie City girls basketball team were known as the "Lady Spartans." However, the term "Lady" was dropped at the time of the co-op with Avon. Coach Blout was adamant at keeping the term "Lady Spartans" intact.
Following these two conversations, I found it to be of great interest due to the differing views, especially those of two females in regards to the terms. These conversations came during the "Quest 2: 150" when I was setting out to broadcast 150 high school basketball games in one season, and blogging about my journey. During rare off days I would try to write a feature blog of interest in high school athletics and had planned one on this very topic for a future blog post.
For my "Lady" mascot blog I sent out emails to about two dozen girls basketball coaches, both male and female and had a variety of results pour in. Unfortunately I never used those responses for a blog, but kept them just in case a good time would come. What better time to break out the archives and display the results of my informal survey.
I simply posed one question to the coaches included in my survey.
"Are you in favor of the usage of 'Lady' before mascot names in girls athletics, why or why not?"
The email was sent out at 12:48 p.m. on January 25, 2011. Within two hours all of the responses had come in. Here are 10 responses to the question that was received.
South Fulton coach Carl Beebe
Coach Beebe's daughter Carly was a standout player under Carl and will be playing college basketball at Quincy University. South Fulton advanced to the Class 1A sectional championship game this past season.
"I think it is fine and we use Lady in front of all our team events. I think it distinguishes the boys and girls programs. Which in my opinion is good."
Montini Catholic coach Jason Nichols
Coach Nichols has led the Broncos to three consecutive state championships (2010, 2011, 2012) in Class 3A and has an overall win-loss record of 328-66.
"They use Lady Broncos when our games are announced. During introductions. Ask me if I care? I don't either way. One of our assistants (male) wants all our sweatshirts, t-shirts, and pullovers to always say Montini Catholic girls basketball. Other than that we don't use Lady Broncos on anything and really has never been discussed as an issue here at Montini. Our girls, just like the guys, are part of the Montini Catholic High School BRONCOS community!"
Rochester coach (and former Pana coach) J.R. Boudouris
Boudouris won three regional championships at Pana during his six years as its head coach (129-52). He took over the Rochester girls basketball program in 2011-12 and won 19 games.
Note: Boudouris was at Pana when this survey was completed.
"I am against 'Lady" mascots. We are the Panthers, same as the boys, which is indicated in our basketball program, on our uniforms, etc. I feel like the term 'lady' was introduced during the inception of girls' competitive athletics to imply that girls could compete yet still remain 'ladies' (as if athletic competition is somehow 'unlady-like'). I've heard some valid arguments in favor of 'lady' in front of the mascot name, including the fact that it gives the girls their own unique nickname. However, I am not in favor of it, for the aforementioned reasons."
Quincy Notre Dame coach Eric Orne
Orne has led QND to back-to-back Class 2A state championships and four appearances in the IHSA state finals. Orne has a career record of (304-73) in 12 seasons as head coach.
"I prefer Lady Raiders. It's our tradition here at QND more than anything else. Not opposed if other schools feel differently."
Havana coach Jerry Wilson
Wilson guided Havana to three consecutive appearances in the Elite Eight (2009, 2010, 2011).
"I really have no problem either way, but it was so difficult to get the Havana people to buy into girls basketball due to the 'old guard' followers of Bob Gregurich and the successful boys programs here in the late 70's/early 80's that I labeled us the Lady Ducks. This further infuriated the 'old guard' which was partly my objective. I feel that if the girls want somewhat their own identity, so be it."
Anonymous
This coach asked to remain anonymous, they have compiled over 400 career victories.
"I am adamantly against it. UNLESS the boys start going by 'gentelemen' then it would be ok with me. I think we are all the same mascot."
Annawan coach Jason Burkiewicz
Burkiewicz guided the Bravettes to an Elite Eight finish in 2011-12 and has compiled a 52-8 coaching record in two seasons at Annawan.
"Our girls like being the Bravettes. If they are happy with it I am fine with it. I have no opinion on it either way teams do it."
Rock Island coach Thad Hoover
Hoover has coached the Rocks for four seasons, guiding the team to a regional championship in 2008-09.
"I don't like it a whole lot. If our mascot is the 'Rocks,' I think we should all be 'Rocks'."
Hinckley-Big Rock coach Greg Burks
Burks led H-BR to back-to-back state championships in 2008-09 and 2009-10. The Lady Royals advanced to the Elite Eight in 2010-11.
"We use Lady Royals. I've never understood why you need to designate 'Lady' but it doesn't matter too much to me."
Former Bushnell-Prairie City/Avon coach Julie Blout
Blout guided B-PC/A to the Class 1A sectionals during the 2009-10 season. Blout resigned at the end of the 2011-12 season.
"I am 100% in favor of it. The Lady was taken away from us when the total co-op happened for B-PC/A. I tried for 2 years to get it back and they finally said it was ok for me to refer to the team as Ladies and if we made our own t-shirts or anything it could have Lady on it. The one thing though is they would not buy uniforms with Lady on it only Spartans or Trojans (junior high mascot). I feel it was somewhat of a win for us. The girls were very disappointed when the Lady was taken away, as well as myself.
I was one of the first Lady Spartans. When Cindy Shonkwiler (Arthur) came to town she started using it during my junior year, which was the 79-80 season and Lady was used until the 06-07 season. The way I presented it to the co-op board was with pictures of the mascot. I asked if our mascot was male or female and they all agreed 'male.' I brought pictures of all mascots in the conference and pointed out which ones were gender specific and told them they all used Lady before the mascot name. I do not think this would be an issue if the mascot was not gender specific. Such as Wildcats, Tigers, Ducks, Bullets, Rockets, and so on. But the Spartan, Indian, Trojan, Patriot, Farmer were definitely a male.
If we do consolidate in the future I hope all those involved in the new mascot will take this into consideration to not use a gender specific mascot. I feel women have to be proud of what they are. We were born a Lady and should never be ashamed of it."
***What are your thoughts on the usage of "Lady" or "Ettes" on mascots in athletics?
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