Why the Soccer Team is Co-Ed

“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,” states Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

What?

In other words, any opportunities available for boys must also be available for girls and vice versa. Back in the 1970’s, the title set the foundation for gender equality in every educational department that receives money from the government.

It’s also the reason why our soccer team this year is co-educational. There were not enough people of each gender nor enough funding to successfully form two separate teams, yet a single team must always include interested participants of both sexes.

Title IX has been intact since before we were born, so why haven’t our previous PSAL (Public Schools Athletic League) teams been integrated?

Physical Education teacher Mrs. Carmilla Pepe says the school’s previous sport undertakings provided separate teams for girls and boys.

Whereas boys had boys’ basketball and baseball, girls had girls’ basketball and softball. And wrestling could have been co-ed if only a single girl expressed an interest in the sport.

Title IX, in its meaning to sport teams, aims to only provide the same opportunities for everyone.

“Soccer teams are already sexist. Girls’ soccer skills have to be evaluated before girls join a team, but boys’ skills do not,” said McCown sophomore Lina Apselle, who is on the soccer team. “This team is definitely a change from what I’m used to, but it’s a good change.”

Equality is one thing. Fairness might be another case.

Exactly how fair is it to have the two genders train with each other and against one another?

“I don’t mind playing with girls, but I don’t like the idea of playing against them,” said sophomore Alex Manger.

He shares the same worries as senior Mario Lucero who says “I’m afraid the games will be uncomfortable and too rough, in a way, for the girls.”

It’s clear that the perception of girls as weaker and, therefore, requiring care when playing against has not changed with the combining of sports teams.

Scientifically and on average, girls do run slower and throw lighter punches. And we all know that soccer can quickly become a dangerous contact sport.

“The co-ed team is definitely a great experience. It’s not very good as a competitive sport right now, but I‘m glad everyone’s getting the same opportunity for playing soccer for fun,” said the school’s soccer coach Luis Cruzatte. “Next year, I’m hoping we can get two separate teams so that both can play freely and competitively.”

No player really has a problem with sharing their sport with people of the opposite gender.

As to whether girls will be able to hold their ground during the games, we’ll have to wait and see.

And despite people’s outward concern for the girls, I heard two students discussing how “those girls are going to whoop our …“ ahem, during a scrimmage between an all-girl’s team and our own brand new co-ed team.

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