Story Memo

Broad Topic: Girls being allowed to play football in GHSA as of August 15, 2015. This year they made minor restructuring to the plan, but there hasn’t been a recognizable increase, I want to look into what causes the small changes but also look into how one girl’s story is playing out. Working on finding the right fit, I have three girls I’m aiming to talk to and putting out feelers to see if there are any cases that haven’t already been highlighted.

  • The committee RECOMMENDED: 1. Proposal to change By-Law 1.47: Girls may participate on boys’ teams when there is no girls’ team offered in that sport or activity by the school.
    • Boys may not participate on girls’ teams even when there is no corresponding boys’ sport or activity. Cheerleading is a coed sport.
    • (b) The GHSA will honor a gender determination made by a member school. The GHSA will not make gender identity determinations nor entertain appeals of the member school’s determination.
    • The GHSA will attempt to accommodate requests for private restroom or locker/dressing room facilities for students requesting the same at GHSA playoff events or contests provided notice of the request is made as soon as possible to the GHSA office. No student shall be required to utilize the private facilities.
    • MOTION PASSED (unanimously) EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
    • Italicized is new

Key Questions:

  1. What has being on a boy’s team been like?
    1. General team vibe?
    2. How do you feel media, school, other teammates feel about your participation?
    3. Has your story inspired others?
    4. Has the GHSA reached out to you specifically about your situation?
    5. What does it mean to you to get to play?
  2. How does only allowing girls to play in boy’s sports but not vice-versa effect dynamics?
  3. What sports, possibly other than football, are being treated this way?

Sources:

  • Jesse Crews, board of Trustees for GHSA
  • Previous cases where girls weren’t allowed
    • Maddy Baxter of Locus Grove
    • Rachel Evans of Grovetown, Georgia
    • Brandy Houston of Lee County
  • Michelle Masters and Regina Montgomery, the new “at large” committee members of GHSA girl’s sports

 

Graphics:

  • pending