My whole life I’ve had one career goal, to be a sports anchor on ESPN.  I’ve dreamt about starting my career as a sideline reporter at Ohio State football games in college, jumping at the chance to talk to Coach Meyer as he heads into the locker room at halftime.  From there, I would be regarded as a mature, natural talent with a knack for understanding players and coaches, win or lose.  I would soon be hired by a smaller news outlet that covered only Miami’s professional sports teams.  I would be the talk of the town, an amazing female reporter with a new pair of Louboutin pumps for every Heat game.  Down the road I would work with the likes of Jay Bilas and Kirk Herbstreit, experts in their respective sports.  No one would question my knowledge or devalue me because of my appearance.  I wouldn’t be forced to wear a mini dress with a plunging neckline tightly resting against my fake tan.  I wouldn’t have to sit up perfectly straight flaunting my best assets, headlined by the massive volume of loose waves sitting below my shoulders.  There would be no comments about my “nagging” or “shrill” voice.  Yet in my world of make believe, the only sports broadcasters I wanted to be like were men.  Why?  Because no woman has been able to accomplish the things I want for myself, and if they have, it has taken years of overcompensation and proving themselves in order to broadcast a single football game.  My dream ends with reality, and begins with my hope that before I graduate in a year, the universe shifts to equal representation within the sports industry.

Yet the disparity makes no sense.  The world of sports is incredibly diverse.  From a young age, practically every kid in American is thrusted into shin guards and is taught how to kick a soccer ball.  Boys and girls all over the world play sports, and use them to make friends, grow as people, and develop leadership qualities.  Sports bring people together, even in difficult times, they are always there for us.  Take the Boston marathon bombing for example.  David Ortiz, or Big Papi, of the Boston Red Sox gave a speech full of emotion and unity, claiming that “this is our f—-ing city”, and uniting the city of Boston in a way no other medium could.  The translation of this diversity ends with television.  Women’s sports aren’t televised, women aren’t represented on analytical shows beyond being a host, and women rarely call men’s sports, when men are more than able to call women’s games.  How is a young girl supposed to grow up idolizing a man who never had to go through the struggles she will?  Sports allow for a platform like no other, giving way to political movements and protests, yet women are still ousted as a species from entering the game.  Ignorance leads to the usage of stereotypes men have of women working in sports and beyond.  Being a female sports fan in general receives negative attention, as if a woman’s brain can’t possibly comprehend the game of basketball or hockey.  Not like there’s a female version of each sport.  The division between men and women will continue, but the strides made to create a more balanced playing field speaks volumes to the growth of our society.  Therefore, as women continue to break down the walls and hold higher positions within sports media,  society will soon have to conform to the new reality of the sports industry.

A bit about your new editor-in-chief for the 2018-19 school year. My name is Chelsie Caulfield, and I am a junior at East.  This is my second year as part of the Oracle staff, and first full year as the Sports editor.   I love to play volleyball, and enjoy watching and following sports.  I chose to be a part of the Oracle staff to learn more about the world of sports broadcasting. I’ve lived in Lincoln all of my life, and look forward to moving on to better things.  I am a big Ohio State fan, and will hopefully attend The Ohio State University in the coming years.  I hope to go into sports management and eventually become an agent. I am excited to start my position as editor-in-chief next year and hopefully lead The Oracle in a new and exciting direction.