LETTERS - YOURVIEW: Giving female and male athletes the same respect

To the Editor: The article was riddled with sexual innuendos, false insights and oversights and a naive and ignorant view on the scope and power of women's' athletics. The conclusions were correct, women's soccer does deserve a league of its own, and so does basketball, softball and whatever other sport where it is determined that there is a professional level of competition. Women never have and still do not try to compete with men's sports in terms of the style of play. Nor do they strive for the same type of fame or infamy (I should say) money and power. They play an innocent, pure and sportsmanlike game, one that has been noted to be so close to the way each specific sport was meant to be played. Enjoy above the rim basketball, I certainly do. And appreciate women's soccer. We all should. But have you seen an article recently by a female columnist lauding the men's game for the dirty magazine that we can put Michael Jordan on? Don't make the mistake that many do, sure the team is pretty, they are young "American" women. The Seattle Mariners are pretty too. Girls now have role models, female athletes who are educated some at the graduate level, some who are mothers, wives and professionals. This is the true gift of the women's game. They are dynamic, whole, intelligent people. Continue to open your eyes beyond Brandi Chastain's sports bra, and go to a WNBA game.You might find something you like. Sarah Goodstine Wharton '01 To the Editor: When composing his article on women's sports, I was wondering if Jeremy Reiss really believed or considered the following: A) That you had a "fresh new approach" to all of those other hackneyed pro-Women's sports articles? Yes, we have a great team, but you lose that point entirely in your backwards babble. B) That you wanted to offend all women and embarass yourself in print? C) That no one reads the Summer Pennsylvanian anyway, so why the hell not write an article as offensive as this? D) That you could ever play pick-up ball against any WNBA player and hold your own? Quit complaining that it's a boring game because it ain't the same and is not intended to be. In fact, many men do not possess the patience, precision, and skill necessary to play such an egoless and fundamental game. I see this everyday on the Gimbel basketball courts. E) That any woman would call you after reading this? If this is your idea of a slick pickup line, you should stick with dating men. In the future, please show just a little consideration for the other 52% of the population. Ann Wang Wharton '99