Boys>Girls

For our generation, we can all agree that equality has become a big controversy. From racially motivated shootings in Chicago to same-sex marriages, everyone has been voicing their opinions, especially with Trump taking office. It’s not only a national struggle with equality; in fact, our little bubble of Knoch High School also struggles with its own issues.

While we all have our own opinions on the big national problems, one area where equality is a big issue at KHS is the treatment of boys and girl’s athletics. Most students would agree that the male sports teams here at least seem to receive preferential treatment.

When it comes to equality amongst  boys and girls athletics, there’s actually a national law which covers this particular topic.

Title IX states that: 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.

This rule represents student life in public school and colleges. Mr. Reiser, the Athletic Director, is the head of Title IX as it relates to sports in this school district.

“Everything was planned before I came. I just keep track of equal sports and coaching,” said Reiser.

Junior Danielle Betts plays for the girls’ varsity soccer team and sees a real problem with equal treatment, particularly when it is time to get ready for games and practice.

During soccer, the girls team must change in any bathroom they can find, whether it’s a middle school girl’s bathroom crowded with tween girls, or a high school bathroom that teachers walk into. Most of us agree that there is nothing more awkward for teachers than seeing half naked teenage girls and for students trying to frantically change in front of their English teacher.

Due to the necessity of changing in a bathroom and the lack of a locker room, the soccer girls have to bring all their bags to the soccer fields. They must either stack it in the shade or stuff it by the door when it rains.

“We have to lug our multiple heavy bags across the field,” explains Betts. “I’m worried that my stuff is going to be stolen, leaving me stressed before the game/practice starts.”

What about the boys soccer team? Well, they have a full middle school locker room that no other teams can go into. They can leave their bags.

Unfair right? But is it a Title IX issue or violation?

Mr. Reiser said, “No, the opportunity is given to the high school girls to change in the middle school locker room. It is the team’s choice to use the bathroom.”

Betts response to that was, “The middle school girl’s soccer team is in there and some other teams. That locker room is packed full. Why would we choose to change in a nasty bathroom?”

In other words, Betts feels the girls have no choice to change in the bathroom.

Plenty of other girl’s teams also change in a bathroom or a hallway due to how packed the locker rooms are.

The girls’ volleyball team seems to be the only female sport that gets their own locker room.

As for other potential Title IX issues, many girls think that recognition is also unfairly given.

Were you aware that the girl’s tennis team made sections and the second round of playoffs? Probably not, because it wasn’t as advertised as volleyball or football was.

Senior Carly Burdett says, “Tennis was a big deal this year, winning sections and making it to the school round in playoffs, but no one was there to cheer or support.”

Some may say students are encouraged to attend some sporting events more than others, yet Mr. Reiser disagrees.

“(As Title IX director), I am not in charge to get the students to go and support a team,” said Mr. Reiser. “That is more for the pep rallies”.

Mrs. Knappenberger, who has led the fall pep rally for the past five years, had this to say.

“I have always attempted for the pep rally to not really be about one sport (football) which is typically how most places do them. We recognize each sport and simply have them stand,” she said.  “I would say that 98% of the time, my competitions involve an equal number of males and females and I try to get students from various sports.”

Ultimately, who’s responsibility is it to get everyone to recognize all the sports?

In the innocence of everything, certain sports are always treated differently in any type of High School. The question remains, at Knoch High School are the issues just inconveniences or violations of Title IX.

For whatever reasons, including space and budget, some schools do it differently. They have locker rooms and strong student sections for all the sports.  The differences are understandable, yet we can all agree that there are better options. As students, we can’t build a new locker room but there are things we can do.

So go support the teams…ALL OF THEM.  All athletes work hard and speaking from experience, it’s nice to see people other than your grandparents cheering you on.

Ultimately, the issuesdescribed in this article may not be Title IX violations, but they still represent inequality

Mrs. Knappenberger agrees.

“I have often thought, and had many conversations with students about how we can do a better job making sure that everyone who participates in a Knoch High activity-be it a sport or club or academics-feels that they are recognized for their efforts. It is not an easy thing to do. I believe we can do a better job making everyone feel valued,” said Mrs. Knappenberger.