Are Doors Being Opened for the “Ladies’’ of College Sports? A Covariance Analysis

Author: Ward Russell  

Publisher: Springer Publishing Company

ISSN: 0360-0025

Source: Sex Roles, Vol.51, Iss.11-12, 2004-12, pp. : 697-708

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine sports symbols of colleges and universities for evidence of sexism and to identify factors that differentiated schools with andwithout sexist nicknames for their athletic teams. Data on team names and eight measures of women’s athleticism were collected from 112 colleges and universities for the 2000–2001 academic year. MANCOVA results revealed that women’s athleticism was stronger at schools with nonsexist nicknames for seven of the eight measures, although only one statistically significant difference was observed. Schools with nonsexist nicknames had a significantly higher percentage of assistant coaches who were women. Discussion focuses on why there may be more athletic opportunities and athletic resources for women at schools with nonsexist nicknames.