Dan Bucatinsky: More Than I Can Chew
Girl kicked off boys team for being too good?
Filed under: Teens, In The News
12-year-old Jaime Nared is an excellent basketball player. Since second grade, she's been demonstrating her Michael Jordan-like skills on a boys team at The Hoop, a private basketball facility in Beaverton, Oregon. She's been known to score 30 points in a game and regularly runs circles around her male counterparts.
But last month, seemingly out of nowhere, her coach was informed by Hoop officials that Jaime had to go. The reason, they claim, is that league rules prohibit mixed-gender teams. This was news to Coach Michael Abraham, who has been coaching basketball for 32 years. "I never saw the rule," he says. "If I'd known about it, I wouldn't have put any of my teams in the league. Besides, she's been playing on this team since second grade, and she plays on our team when we travel around the region. There's never been any problem in any event, not one word of complaint."
Well, nobody complained about it until last month, when several parents let Hoop management know they weren't happy about Jaime's presence on the team. They say their sons don't play as well against her because they are nice boys who have been taught not to get rough with girls. They also believe that having a girl on the floor is distracting and preventing their boys from focusing on the game.
Coach Abraham, as well as Jaime's parents, think the real issue here is that this 12-year-old girl is making the boys look bad. "I remember one play. She stole the ball, dribbled up court and made a behind-the-back pass to a teammate. He missed the lay-in, and she grabbed the rebound and put it in. I think it was just too much for some of those parents," says Jaime's mom, Reiko Williams. "The next day, she came home and said they wouldn't let her play with the boys anymore."
Hoop officials insist that they are just belatedly enforcing the rules that have existed the entire time Jaime has been playing for them. After a failed appeal, she is now playing with the girls - on a sixth grade team as well as a non-traveling high school team.
Considering the fact that Jaime Nared isn't the only girl ever to play in that league and that she was allowed to do it for so many years, the whole thing does seem a bit suspect. Obviously, Jaime thinks it is unfair. What do you think?
But last month, seemingly out of nowhere, her coach was informed by Hoop officials that Jaime had to go. The reason, they claim, is that league rules prohibit mixed-gender teams. This was news to Coach Michael Abraham, who has been coaching basketball for 32 years. "I never saw the rule," he says. "If I'd known about it, I wouldn't have put any of my teams in the league. Besides, she's been playing on this team since second grade, and she plays on our team when we travel around the region. There's never been any problem in any event, not one word of complaint."
Well, nobody complained about it until last month, when several parents let Hoop management know they weren't happy about Jaime's presence on the team. They say their sons don't play as well against her because they are nice boys who have been taught not to get rough with girls. They also believe that having a girl on the floor is distracting and preventing their boys from focusing on the game.
Coach Abraham, as well as Jaime's parents, think the real issue here is that this 12-year-old girl is making the boys look bad. "I remember one play. She stole the ball, dribbled up court and made a behind-the-back pass to a teammate. He missed the lay-in, and she grabbed the rebound and put it in. I think it was just too much for some of those parents," says Jaime's mom, Reiko Williams. "The next day, she came home and said they wouldn't let her play with the boys anymore."
Hoop officials insist that they are just belatedly enforcing the rules that have existed the entire time Jaime has been playing for them. After a failed appeal, she is now playing with the girls - on a sixth grade team as well as a non-traveling high school team.
Considering the fact that Jaime Nared isn't the only girl ever to play in that league and that she was allowed to do it for so many years, the whole thing does seem a bit suspect. Obviously, Jaime thinks it is unfair. What do you think?
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Super Meat Boy Video Review
Morgan Webb reviews Super Meat Boy, the platformer that has its hero out to rescue girlfriend Bandage Girl from the clutches of the evil Dr. Fetus.
-
E3 2010: Super Meat Boy E3 Trailer
Take on the role of an animated cube of meat who must save his girlfriend Band-Aid Girl from the evil Dr. Fetus!
-
Keeping Children Away from Drugs with Soccer
The local association Mysa organized soccer leagues for young boys and girls in Nairobi, keeping them away from drugs and prostitution.
-
Stars Comment On Ice-T Dissing Soulja Boy
Hollyscoop.com hit the 2008 BET Awards where we caught up with the stars about the Ice T and Soulja Boy drama. We interviewed JabbaWockeeZ,Guy Torry,Kevin Hart,College Hill Atlanta.Check out the interviews to see if the stars are on team ICE-T or team Soulja Boy.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 5 of 19)
5-26-2008 @ 2:16PM
Chris said...Let the girl play. This is totally biased. I've been banned from all boys teams before, and it's not right. Citing injuries, and no co-ed rules is just a cover-up for parents who don't want their sons to be shown up by a girl.
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 4:20PM
Rich said...As a former coach let me say that you're certainly should know the rules, all the rules, whether enforced or not. But this action by the league is typical of letting parents protect there under-performing child by eliminating the better competition instead of urging the parents urging their children to learn from and develop their skills to be better.
I hope that the young girl's drive isn't harmed and she continues to develop her athletic skills to her most highest level. Playing with as a team member is so important; she will learn much more then just the athletic skills and she can hopefully use those life-skills in her life's 'big game'.
Rich
5-26-2008 @ 2:29PM
dancerash247 said...That is totally unfair!! She has a right to be on the team, If they didn't want her to play b4 they should of said somethin
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 2:16PM
Bill said...Wow, things have changed so much since Title IX and the 70s....
This young lady will land on her feet. You can't keep talent down. It is too bad that a handful of parents could exact change by being squeeky wheels. If this young lady is truly as good as it sounds, these boys could stand to learn from her level of play. To cut her loose is short-sighted on so many levels.
Have those kids come to Northern Virginia and see how things are supposed to be. Here the boys and girls will seek each other out in order to play against the best competition, as I am sure they are doing just about everywhere else in the country, besides at "The Hoop" in Beaverton, Oregon.
If there aren't other extenuating circumstances of some dire and unknown origin that have not been mentioned, this situation can only be categorized as sad, absurd and unnecessary.
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 2:30PM
Bob Terry said...Simple solution. Set a limit of at least a hundred and fifty yards distance for adults from the playing field/court, INCLUDING PARENTS, COACHES AND OFFICIALS. Until the kids reach high school give them free access to all playing spaces with NO interference from anyone more than two years older than they are. They can make up there own rules game by game. first saw adults screwing up the game sixty-five years ago and for only their own self satisfaction, no matter what they think or claim.
5-26-2008 @ 2:16PM
trold123 said...I will have to admit I don't know, I was an amateur jock most of my life and one time had to wrestle a girl. It was awkward. There was too many places I didn't feel like I couldn't grab. In spite of that, in the rough and tumble of a wrestling match you are going to end up grabing where you shouldn't. She didn't beat me because I was a mile stronger than she was but I found myself concentrating on not where to grab instead of the match. I guess in some sports like baseball that would not be a problem but even in basketball there is a lot of physical contact. Once again it is not the grabbing itself that is important it is that as a player you are concentrating on the wrong thing.
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 2:19PM
danaccastro said...what....this is clearly a rights violation, she has every right to play if a female counterpart has not been established, I had to play with the boys all 5 years I played football middle school and high school, on a field there is just players not girls or boys, yes i was bigger at first, and yes they got bigger later but I got better too. i say you go girl. girl power
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 2:17PM
ihatepie345 said...that is so sexist. those parents just dont want their precious little all-star boys shown up by a girl, it's totally gender biased! it's very cruel and mean to kick someone with that much talent off of a team just because of their gender. JAIME YOU GO OUT THERE AND SHOW THEM WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 2:18PM
RL BELIN said...IF YOU,ER GOOD ENOUGH FOR ANY THING. SO BE IT STRAIGTH PUNKS DON,T WANT LOSE,DON,T REALLY KNOW,THEY HAVE ALREADY LOST. GO JAMIE
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 2:21PM
charlie said...I HAVE NEVER BEEN A BIG SUPPORTER OF GIRLS PLAYING WITH BOYS, BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT IS SO UNFAIR TO MALES IF A WOMAN IS EXCEMPTIONAL AT SOMETHING THEN THE FIRST THING THEY WANT TO DO IS PLAY WITH THE MEN. WELL WHT IF WE JUST SAY FOR INSTANCE A MAN IS BELOW AVERAGE , WHY CANT HE TRY OUT FOR A GIRLS TEAM. IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IT FAIR THEN JUST MAKE ALLL SPORTS INTER GENDER THAN SEE HOW MUCH HELLL WOMEN RAISE. I AM SICK OF THIS DOUBLE STANDARD PLAY ON YOUR GENDER TEAM AND STOP COMPLAINING.
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 2:22PM
tpolk76 said...yea and lets let men get pregnat and woman have the penis and man have the vagina hey its no differnce right God made as all the same hey i wonder why though women have their body parts and men have thier makes you think their might be a reason for it hey i dont know but i do know the this women will get away with scream and cussing because on the team shes having a pms day or dont forget about the long leave of absent when she decideds to get pregant oh yea and what about the miss day when the baby comes and she having post pardum and yea and after she slams her child in the wall coach she needs time of for trial to prove she had post pardum
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 2:21PM
Christy Chapman said...This is so ridiculous. Just because the girl is so good they want to kick her off the team? So what if she shows up the boys. It isn't her fault if they play badly. I guess the school would rather lose than keep her on the team and be winners. This is something called SEXISM and Jaime doesn't have to tolerate it!!! I say sue the hell out of em and find a school that appreciates your schools girl!!!!
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 2:32PM
Ryan said...I think this a bunch of B.S............. If these boys aren't good enough to play as well as this young girl MAYBE they should quit!! I played baseball and soccer with gilrs on my team as an early teen because we didn't have girl leagues. We treated them just like the guys and some of them were better than some of the boys.
GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 2:24PM
12 year old said...this is crazy. let the freakin girl play- its just a sport! they are so sexist!
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 2:24PM
jaslee1220 said...IF JAMIE CAN PLAY LET HER,SHE HAS TO BE GOOD ENOUGH OR THE COACH WOULDNT HAVE HER PLAYING. WHAT THE MATTER WITH THE OTHER PARENTS ARE THEY JEALOUS THAT THEIR LITTLE BOYS GOT BEAT BY A 'GIRL'.I DID COACH FOR AWHILE MIXED GIRLS AND BOYS NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS ONLY ONE GIRL WAS EXCEPTION AND THAT WAS IT.I WAS VERY PROUD OF HER AND STILL AM AS FAR AS THE PARENTS THEY SHOULD PLAY THE GAMES DURING SCHOOL HOURS THAT WAY THE PARENTS ARE NOT THERE USING THE BAD LANGUAGE AND SUCH.THANKS ,HAVE A GOOD DAY..
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 11:03PM
RG said...If the rule is important enough to enforce now they should have been enforcing it all along.
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 2:27PM
Meg said...Boys Not being Ruff with a Girl My ASS! She is obviously talented at the sport and w/o her the team is going to suffer! Boys hate it when girls are better than them! I played baseball for 7 year and 6 out of those 7 years I was better than atleast 1 guy and low and behold he hated me. This is not fair and ILLEGAL! HELLO ITS SEXIST THEY HAVE A FEDERAL CASE! TAKE IT 2 THE SUPREME COURT!
Reply
7-15-2008 @ 6:24PM
Paige said...i think this is very unfair! Clearly she's very good and who cares if she plays on a boys team? it seems like she is only adding to the team's talent..
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 2:31PM
Ryan said...You are a freaking idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You sound like a guy who can't hang with women and you probably had to sit on the bench so a GIRL who was better than you could help YOUR team win!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
5-26-2008 @ 2:37PM
Tina said...The young lady is not afraid of the boys playing as toughly as they would against other boys. The boys need to play gender-blind. If she gets lack eye, that's par for the course. And, it might make the boys who play dirty, think twice for a change. Have you seen how tough the WNBA is? The parents need to get over the fact a girl may be better. If she qualifies at the boys' level in tryouts, it should not be an issue.
Seriously, it is a discrimination lawsuit in the making. The league waived the right to enforce the rule by letting her play for years and letting other girls also play. They had already essentially negated the rule by doing that. You cannot pick and choose when you enforce a rule to satisfy a few noisemakers. The league acted too quickly following a few complaints. If they were smart, to cover their asses, they would have notified the coach and players that the issue had been raised and said they were considering implementing a NEW rule not allowing girls in the league. Then, they could have used a fair democratic process to decide it by letting the league participants, coaches, players and parents (who pay the fees) vote on whether girls should be allowed to play in the league. All probably would have agreed that outcome, whatever it is, would be fair. But, arbitrarily and unilaterally deciding to suddenly enforce an old rule based on a few complaints, without even getting the pulse of the majority of league participants is a knee-jerk reaction. It is, at least, very poor policy and probably lawsuit fodder, not necessarily for money but to force a fair approach.
I bet more boys would say bring her on, no mercy. Then, it would be all about talent, not gender based. And, everyone will see if she can still play their pants off!!
Reply