Advancement of women in sports

Danica Patrick made history as it was reported on April 19, 2008 IN he Associated Press that she won the Indy Japan 300. Patrick, at 26-years-old became the first female winner in IndyCar history in her 50th IndyCar race. In 2005, Patrick almost won the Indy 500 but took fourth place. This fourth-place finish was the best finish by a woman prior to Patrick’s 2008 win. That same year, Patrick was named rookie of the year.

"It's a long time coming. Finally," Patrick said. "It was a fuel strategy race, but my team called it perfectly for me. I knew I was on the same strategy as Helio and when I passed him for the lead, I couldn't believe it. This is fabulous." (Taken from the Associated Press article “Danica Patrick wins Indy 300 in Japan” posted by latimes.com on April 19, 2008).

After hearing about Patrick’s huge victory, I scoured the Internet searching for more information. However, I was disappointed to find only the AP published article. In a sport that is dominated by men, I honestly wasn’t too surprised.

In his article “Payback time for Danica Patrick and women’s sports?” posted on latimes.com, Greg Johnson said female athletes do not get as much exposure in the media like male athletes in the NBA and NFL.

In an e-mailed interview, Johnson said both the Ladies Professional Golf Association and the Indy Racing League may, however, be getting more attention as a result of Loren Ochoa’s and Patrick’s winning weekend.

“Both athletes won considerable coverage in news stories and on sports-related blogs. And if fans are talking about Ochoa and Patrick, they're also talking about IRL and LPGA,” Johnson said.

Johnson said that the Indy race in Japan doesn’t usually get a lot of coverage, but because of Patrick’s win, it has been in the spotlight as well.

“The IRL race in Japan doesn't usually drive a lot of interest in this country outside of motor sports circles. So Patrick's win certainly gave the league a boost. IRL probably would have gotten a bigger bump in this country had Patrick's first win occurred in the U.S.,” Johnson said.

In an e-mailed statement, NASCAR.com writer Dave Rodman said Patrick has stated that she is not necessarily interested in the discipline of NASCAR racing right now, but there are many women who are trying to succeed in the sport of auto racing.

“On the other hand, there are plenty of women who ARE attempting to make inroads into NASCAR racing who consequently are much further along that road than Danica would ever be if she decided to pursue it,” Rodman said in his statement in our e-mail correspondence.

After also speaking with Maia Kinsinger, assistant professor of communications, at the University of La Verne another issue came up. With women in what we would typically call “a man’s world,” if she was injured or even worse, killed, there is a good chance that women would be banned from participating and it may be said that she should have never been there, which is something we probably wouldn’t really hear if a man is involved.

The Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was enacted in the United States on June 23, 1972. Title IX basically prevents discrimination based on sex for activities or benefits of these activities in any education program that is federally funded, which includes and is prominent in high school and college 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 receiving Federal financial assistance” (U.S. Department of Labor: http://www.dol.gov/oasam/regs/statutes/titleIX.htm).

Title IX is crucial for equality for women and men and especially to me, as a woman who wants to work in sports.

As a woman who is hoping to break into the world of working in sports as media and athletes, I am happy to see women already breaking down barriers. But I also know that it is something that is hard to do. In my experience at my internships, I have been told that there are not as many women in the field, and some that are have bad reputations. There are many women who are advancing in sports, which makes me hopeful for my own pursuit.

One woman in particular is Helene Elliott, sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times. Elliott has been a source for many of my recent blog entries. As published in her biography, which can be found at latimes.com, Elliott has been with the L.A. Times sports department since 1989. She first covered the then Anaheim Angels and took over the Los Angeles Lakers beat. Most notably, Elliott covered the NHL and Olympics. She became the first female journalist to receive a plaque in the Hall of Fame of a professional sport in 2005 after receiving the Elmer Ferguson Award, which is given "in recognition of distinguished members of the newspaper profession whose words have brought honor to journalism and to hockey."

“It hasn't always been easy being a woman in this profession,” Elliott said in an e-mailed interview. “I've always tried to be professional in my behavior and in my work and allow that to speak for me. It is much easier than it used to be for women in journalism.”

Elliott also mentioned that there are other women working in sports and media.

“Look at the staff directories in the NBA and at Kim Ng, the assistant general manager of the Dodgers, and at the two women who are vice presidents of Major League Baseball, Phyllis Merhige and Katey Feeney,” Elliott said.

As for participating in sports, Elliott said it’s a different ball game.

“Look at the numbers of women who particiapte in high school and college sports---it's staggering compared to 25 years ago,” Elliott said. “Playing sports is a wonderful experience not only in terms of fitness but learning teamwork and other bonding issues that men have always been able to learn but are relatively new for women.”

So while women are continuing to advance in the sports world, I become more hopeful. I have had some experience with my two internships at Fox Sports and with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Minor League Baseball team. I have learned that many women are trying to break through in these areas. I hope to get more than just my foot n the door, but to have a career in sports public relations. More women are emerging in front offices, as sports journalists and on big sports networks. It is not just a man’s world after all.