Day By Day© by Chris Muir.

January 26, 2007

NCAA Wants To Ban Male Practice Players for Girls' Teams

Many elite female sports teams, like the UConn Lady Huskies basketball team, have been using male players during practice sessions. Why?

The addition of male practice players hasn't been the sole reason behind UConn's phenomenal rise to the top, but the parties involved believe that the men have played a vital role along the path to winning five of the last 12 national championships. The influx of testosterone has hardened the psyche of the players and allowed them to hone their skills daily against quicker, stronger and more athletic opponents.

Guys, in general, are bigger and stronger than gals. It's a fact. And if using men during practice helps the women to improve their game, then who would complain?

The NCAA, that's who.

The Committee on Women's Athletics issued a statement Dec. 13 intending to ban the use of male practice players in all women's sports. The CWA said in a statement that the use of such players "violates the spirit of gender equity and Title IX" and "any inclusion of male practice players results in diminished participation opportunities for female student-athletes." The only coach on record who has been in favor of the ban is Ohio State coach Jim Foster.

Please. If the women aren't complaining and feel the practice sessions are beneficial, then what's the big deal?

"I think it's a weak argument saying we are taking away opportunities from the bench players," said [Vin] Bruno, who is in his third year with the team. "Really, if you watch practice, these girls will be playing on the white team, or our team. There will be three guys out there and two others like Jacquie (Fernandes) and Cassie (Kerns) out there with us. The assistant coaches Tonya (Cardoza) and Jamelle really do a good job of rotating everyone in, both male and female players."

Said UConn sophomore Tahirah Williams: "I think practice players are a big role in women's basketball. Honestly, I don't think they're taking away (any opportunities). I think they're making us better."

The use of male players also helps team members to rest during practice, and the practices are structured so there is not a free-for-all atmosphere in which the men are allowed to overshadow the women.

But don't expect the folks who banned the use of American Indian names for college sports teams during postseason tournaments to give in easily. What's next, banning male coaches from women's teams?

And so, the PC stampede continues to ride roughshod over common sense...after all, don't committees know better than you do?