Re: “Ice Queens” by Michael G. Glab [April 20]
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Women’s hockey and women’s sports in general have always had difficulty being taken seriously, and I find it disappointing that the article in the Reader took the route that it did. What began as a great concept for an article (the history of three women in hockey, at different levels, and with different lifestyles) turned into something that I am personally embarrassed to have read. I can only comment on the portions pertaining to the Snappers, but the article as a whole could have taken the high road and promoted these three women and the sport that they love. But instead it began with the opening comments about Monica Lewinsky and the cigar, which had nothing to do with hockey but managed to diminish any credibility that the hockey player had. But I believe my final breaking point was the play-by-play interpretation of the Snapper game. I found myself getting angry as I read the article because of the way the team was portrayed so negatively. What also frustrates me is knowing that this was going to be the first time that the women could really hear how an outsider views their play, and then the article basically ridiculed them for making the effort.
Unlike other teams who closely restrict who they will allow to play on their team, with the intent of only adding better players who can help the team win, the Snappers welcome any and all women, even those who have literally never been on the ice before. This means that our first games of the season are definitely a work in progress, but also makes our subsequent victories all the more meaningful.
