Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 11, 1995 TAG: 9510110046
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
And yet, it wasn't so many years ago that girls were absolutely not allowed on the football field during games - except to wave pompons or strut with the marching band at halftime. The number who ever go beyond the family's touch-football games in the back yard is still mighty small.
It should be, therefore, of at least passing interest that the New River Valley has produced two fledging football stars of the female variety this season.
At Floyd County High School, sophomore Sarah Robinson, after two seasons with the Buffalos' junior varsity team, is ready to attempt her first touchdown conversion kick for the varsity.
In Dublin, 11-year-old Casey Burns started her sandlot football career this fall as defensive end for the Dublin Chiefs. Burns, weighing in at 103 pounds, was recruited - get that? recruited - to go up against guys that may weigh twice as much. She's ready, said one of her coaches. ``She's tackled every running back we have on this team.''
Go for it, we say. Girls probably will always remain a distinct minority in this particular sport. Their participation evokes old questions about feminist advances, for example: Is the cause of equal rights advanced more by including females in male-developed cultures and rituals (such as a sport that simulates warfare and is somewhat physically violent and highly exclusive), or by changing the culture itself and its values?
Oh well, never mind that for now. This is fall, season of brilliant foliage and surprising end runs. If girls love the sport and have the talent for it, of course they should have the same chance as boys to participate.
And if they could gain equal access to those big-buck college scholarships available for high-school gridironers, we'd really be moving down the field.
by CNB