Sports Journalism: Battle of the Sexes

She combed her hair. She touched up her makeup. She strolled to the bench. She confidently asked him if she could ask him a few questions. Who is she?

She is a female sports journalist. There are few, but they are rising.

Sports journalism, the most competitive component of the journalism field, possesses little room for women reporters. However, women continue to break through stereotypical male domination.

Andrea Kremer relayed the message to NBC viewers every Sunday night during the broadcast of NFL each week. Kremer holds twenty-six years of televised sports journalism under her belt. Despite her numerous Super Bowl appearances, self-produced sports programs, and miscellaneous coverage of other large sporting events, Kremer lacks the right to claim two jobs within her field.

Kremer has never been asked to deliver play-by-play commentary or to provide insight as a color analyst by her network. Kremer’s resume speaks for itself, but there seems to be another problem.

Erin Andrews, Heidi Watney, and Tina Cervasio represent more female sports journalists who never caught a break. However, fans still recognize these women, but from the sideline.

So, why aren’t these women commentating play-by-plays or expressing opinion in the booth as a color analyst? Could the answer possibly exist in the chromosomes of the journalist? Students at the University of Maine proved that no relationship between gender and sports journalism should exist.

Samantha Wheeler, a fourth-year women’s basketball player at the University of Maine, agreed that gender secluded women to the sideline of sports reporting.

She said, “I feel like people don't really give females a chance, and that they may actually have knowledge about the game."

John Cummings, a Rec Center member, joked about why he liked female broadcasters better. “See, the female has got the sex appeal,” he laughed. “I’m going to have to go with a female.”

The fine lines between brains and beauty blur with sports journalism. After the assault on Erin Andrews by a football player, many questions surfaced about a woman’s ability to report in the sports field.

Emily West, the Vice President of the Society of Women Engineers, shared her opinion on the concept of attractive reporting versus intelligent reporting.

“Sometimes they might be glammed up a little bit too much, but they always talk very professionally with what they know about sports," West said.

In 2009, the Washington Post published an article about Andrea Kremer and the sports journalism industry. Laurie Orlando, the senior vice president of the all-sports network, gave hope in her dedicated blurb.

Orlando said, “Women have historically moved toward sideline reporters because that is what has been acceptable. The industry is changing, and of course, this too, will change.”

For the impatient women looking to break the walls faster, The Association for Women in Sports Media recommends becoming a member in their group. The ASWM provides a supportive channel for women in sports. Their mission statement promises strong networking, job placement, and a fight for equality.

The AWSN holds over 600 members so far. Millions of viewers tune into Sunday Night Football. If there is no relationship between women and sports, is there a relationship between the numbers?

Regardless of the statistics, each female sports journalist maintains the right to report them to sports fans everywhere - from the sideline.

Sports Journalism: Battle of the Sexes

She combed her hair. She touched up her makeup. She strolled to the bench. She confidently asked him if she could ask him a few questions. Who is she?

She is a female sports journalist. There are few, but they are rising.

Sports journalism, the most competitive component of the journalism field, possesses little room for women reporters. However, women continue to break through stereotypical male domination.

Andrea Kremer relayed the message to NBC viewers every Sunday night during the broadcast of NFL each week. Kremer holds twenty-six years of televised sports journalism under her belt. Despite her numerous Super Bowl appearances, self-produced sports programs, and miscellaneous coverage of other large sporting events, Kremer lacks the right to claim two jobs within her field.

Kremer has never been asked to deliver play-by-play commentary or to provide insight as a color analyst by her network. Kremer’s resume speaks for itself, but there seems to be another problem.

Erin Andrews, Heidi Watney, and Tina Cervasio represent more female sports journalists who never caught a break. However, fans still recognize these women, but from the sideline.

So, why aren’t these women commentating play-by-plays or expressing opinion in the booth as a color analyst? Could the answer possibly exist in the chromosomes of the journalist? Students at the University of Maine proved that no relationship between gender and sports journalism should exist.

Samantha Wheeler, a fourth-year women’s basketball player at the University of Maine, agreed that gender secluded women to the sideline of sports reporting.

She said, “I feel like people don't really give females a chance, and that they may actually have knowledge about the game."

John Cummings, a Rec Center member, joked about why he liked female broadcasters better. “See, the female has got the sex appeal,” he laughed. “I’m going to have to go with a female.”

The fine lines between brains and beauty blur with sports journalism. After the assault on Erin Andrews by a football player, many questions surfaced about a woman’s ability to report in the sports field.

Emily West, the Vice President of the Society of Women Engineers, shared her opinion on the concept of attractive reporting versus intelligent reporting.

“Sometimes they might be glammed up a little bit too much, but they always talk very professionally with what they know about sports," West said.

In 2009, the Washington Post published an article about Andrea Kremer and the sports journalism industry. Laurie Orlando, the senior vice president of the all-sports network, gave hope in her dedicated blurb.

Orlando said, “Women have historically moved toward sideline reporters because that is what has been acceptable. The industry is changing, and of course, this too, will change.”

For the impatient women looking to break the walls faster, The Association for Women in Sports Media recommends becoming a member in their group. The ASWM provides a supportive channel for women in sports. Their mission statement promises strong networking, job placement, and a fight for equality.

The AWSN holds over 600 members so far. Millions of viewers tune into Sunday Night Football. If there is no relationship between women and sports, is there a relationship between the numbers?

Regardless of the statistics, each female sports journalist maintains the right to report them to sports fans everywhere - from the sideline.

UStream Live

Who's Reporting Your Sports? Pt. 2

Engineers and Journalists: Women Breaking Walls

Who's Reporting Your Sports News?

Would you rather have a female or male sports announcer on your sports network?

Cutting Edge Material

Here is my article about the University of Maine Woodsmen Team.

Club Softball Fighting for Recognition

ORONO - Fall marks the time when leaves change and temperatures drop. For most University of Maine students, autumn provokes a new wardrobe of fleece jackets, mittens, and hats.

For the girls on the Fast Pitch Women’s Softball Club, autumn provokes digging out cleats, cleaning skinned knees, and throwing ice on their arms.

The University of Maine in Orono maintains many Varsity level sports, including a Softball team. However, UMaine possesses far more athletic club organizations. Among them, the Fast Pitch Women’s Softball Club practices from the Fall semester straight through until the end of the fiscal year.

Alyssa Vitale, the Softball Club President, stressed the importance of practicing in the fall.

“Our season is short compared to Varsity teams. We don’t get the opportunity to start early, since most of our players aren’t on campus until a few days before classes begin,” she said. “But the fall season is definitely better for us. We get to use the field longer than in the spring because of the snow.”

The Fast Pitch Women’s Softball Club already played four games this season. Although no victories have been recorded, the team remains hopeful for their double-header against Unity College.

Terri Bastarche, a second-year student at UMaine, expressed her excitement for the upcoming games.

“I’m really pumped,” she said. “We won both games against them last year, so we’re hoping that it will be a nice boost for our confidence after losing our last few games.”

The games against Unity College will wrap up the club’s Fall season. However, the cold weather only provides the girls with more opportunity for practice and bonding.

The club fastens in on recruiting during the winter months, ensuring that the club keeps the numbers high. Setting up booths at student organizations, fairs, and centers allow them to make their club name known throughout campus.

Vitale added that the club’s numbers increase each year, a great improvement since she joined the club three years ago.

Haylea Ledoux, the Club Treasurer, displayed her concern for the Club’s funding. Ledoux mentioned that a lack in girls means a lack in money.

“We don’t have club dues, so our money either comes out of pocket or we have to organize fundraisers,” she explained. “We had a car wash this past Sunday at Burger King.”

Although the girls admitted that they plan on advertising more next time, the Car Wash proved to be successful in profit and friendship.

Bastarche laughed about the team’s strength and commitment, acknowledging the girls as her new friends.

“I’ve met some great girls,” she said. “This club has been so much fun. I can definitely do this for the next two years.”

The UMaine Women’s Fast Pitch Club Softball team looks forward to their games at Unity College this Sunday. As long as their numbers stay as high as their spirits, the University of Maine will be seeing much more from their club.

Uggs and Brady, Joined at the Foot

Check out the article I wrote for the Maine Campus.