Removal of woman referee by religious school has some crying foul

[shawmutt]

www.kansascity.com | 02/12/2008 | Removal of woman referee by religious school has some crying foul

Just minutes before tip-off, basketball referee Michelle Campbell was ready to take the court. Shoes laced up, shirt tucked in, whistle in hand. Then she noticed the discussion between her officiating partner and the school’s athletic director. Finally, Campbell got the news: She wouldn’t be officiating the boys’ high school basketball game. Because she’s a woman.

This isn't a story about some madrassa in the Middle East, this is a story about a Catholic school in America's heartland. Very interesting indeed.

[xyzer]

Interesting indeed! But certainly not reporting of any general trend, or indicative of the truth of the matter or other facts involved? The media likes to stimulate interest in suggesting we generlize off a distorted specific? Is it really an interesting story or just more testimony to the bizarre attitudes of various members of the human species?
Examples...some whacko advocate of Obama hangs a Che Guevarra flag on a wall...some crude TV news guy usies the term "pimping out" in reference to the Clintons daughter..

Was it Will Rogers who said "All I know is what I read in the newpapers"?

[Chaossaber314]

I can't believe the guy actually out and admitted it. Typically, bigotry is more covert in this day and age.

Points for honesty though, I suppose.

[Apeman81]

Quote by: shawmutt www.kansascity.com | 02/12/2008 | Removal of woman referee by religious school has some crying foul This isn't a story about some madrassa in the Middle East, this is a story about a Catholic school in America's heartland. Very interesting indeed.

So would this fall under the heading of Religious Freedom?

[sevendogs]

May be it makes sense. Men should be with men in sport events and women should be with women. It is as appropriate as separate bathrooms.

[Chaossaber314]

Quote by: sevendogs May be it makes sense. Men should be with men in sport events and women should be with women. It is as appropriate as separate bathrooms.

What does that have to do with one's ability to officiate a game?

Should we require all spectators be same sex as well?

[Maryjane]

Men should be with men in sport events and women should be with women.

I'm assuming she had obtained certification to officiate a youth basketball game. Are you saying because she had different genitalia than the players it disqualified her certification? You can't be serious?

[Whilletal]

Well I'm ok with it. If you read the article it states:

The school is owned and operated by the Society of St. Pius X, a group founded in 1970 in response to reforms that the Roman Catholic Church initiated with the Second Vatican Council. The group follows pre-Vatican II practices, such as the Latin Mass.

If they are consistent in their practicing of not allowing women in direct authority over males the so be it. It is a private school and sets its rules of conduct based on its faith system. I may not agree with it but I think its allowed to do so. There are other schools where she can ref so she is not being shut out from being a ref. We are quick to claim separation of church and state when its in our favor but not if we disagree with the church. Seems a bit disingenuous to me.

[sevendogs]

Favoritism. Women are prone to fall to men's charms. This is why it would be a good idea to keep boys and girls in different classes and not allow female teachers to teach boys. This is how we can avoid child abuse cases. Boys are irresistible to some women. Likewise, homosexual teachers should not be allowed to teach boys.

[Sonart]

.

Quote by: Whilletal If they are consistent in their practicing of not allowing women in direct authority over males the so be it. It is a private school and sets its rules of conduct based on its faith system.

Then apparently you missed in the article where it stated that the school had female teachers. I assume they are in "direct authority over males".

Likely the school's administrators accept that little contradiction as "a traditional female role".

.

[Maryjane]

PRESS RELEASE Fr. Vicente A. Griego, Headmaster Official SMA website February 19, 2008 It was falsely alleged and widely reported that the decision of St. Maryʼs Academy not to allow a woman referee to officiate at a basketball game was based upon the idea that women can never have authority over men. This alleged reason was neither stated nor is it held by any official of St. Maryʼs Academy, as evidenced by the fact that the faculty and staff of St. Maryʼs includes many honorable ladies of talent and erudition. Logically, St. Maryʼs Academy, a Catholic institution, adheres in spirit and discipline to Divine Law. The Fourth Commandment obliges due honor to father and mother, as well as to all authority. St. Maryʼs Academy follows the directives of the Catholic Church regarding co-education. The Church has always promoted the ideal of forming and educating boys and girls separately during the adolescent years, especially in physical education (Cf. Divini Illius Magistri - Encyclical on the Christian Education of Youth, by Pope Pius XI, 1929 and The Instruction of the Sacred Congregation of Religious on Co-Education, A.A.S., 25 (1958) pp. 99-103). This formation of adolescent boys is best accomplished by male role models, as the formation of girls is best accomplished by women. Hence in boysʼ athletic competitions, it is important that the various role models (coaches and referees) be men. In addition, our school aims to instill in our boys the proper respect for women and girls. Teaching our boys to treat ladies with deference, we cannot place them in an aggressive athletic competition where they are forced to play inhibited by their concern about running into a female referee. Rev. Fr. Vicente A. Griego Headmaster, St. Maryʼs Academy

Kansas City Articles Comments

[Maryjane]

Favoritism. Women are prone to fall to men's charms. This is why it would be a good idea to keep boys and girls in different classes and not allow female teachers to teach boys. This is how we can avoid child abuse cases. Boys are irresistible to some women. Likewise, homosexual teachers should not be allowed to teach boys.

Not only was your reply off topic and irrelevant to this discussion, it was bigoted and ignorant.

[ShadowFox]

Quote by: Maryjane Not only was your reply off topic and irrelevant to this discussion, it was bigoted and ignorant.

Darn, you beat me to it. Also, if it was true (which it's not) then it still wouldn't be reason to disqualify her. It's a match between two male teams.

[MariKine]

Quote by: sevendogs Favoritism. Women are prone to fall to men's charms. This is why it would be a good idea to keep boys and girls in different classes and not allow female teachers to teach boys. This is how we can avoid child abuse cases. Boys are irresistible to some women. Likewise, homosexual teachers should not be allowed to teach boys.

There have been cases of it sexual affairs between students and teachers in the past, but that doesn't mean every female teacher will chase after her students, or that every homosexual male is craving after young boys.


Gender should have nothing to do with one's ability to call shots, and referee a game. I played basketball for 10 years of my life, and I never even paid attention to the refs except to listen to their calls. Unless this woman is an ex-pornstar, I doubt she'd be able to distract the boys from their game.