Sports Fans, Especially the Ladies

[kaitykaity]

Seems to me that women who have an interest in
politics also overwhelmingly like sports, much
more than women who don't like politics, too.

Is that true for you, too?

When did you get into sports/politics?

Just an interesting connection to explore.

D

[VelmaD]

1. I'll go first

I am a sports nut. My momma and all her sisters letterd in basketball in high school back in the 40s and 50s. So I come by it honest. Daddy lettered too so I was raised in a house full of sports nuts. I played everyting except football in organized laegues - softball, basketball, tennis, swimming, soccer, volleyball, you name it. Started when I was little and still play when I can now. And I watch all the sports - everything from football to figure skating.

I got interested in politics young too. I remember the 1976 and 1980 elections and being really excited about Carter. My parents are life-long Dems as were their parents. I was expected to care from an early age.

Anyway, that's my story.
DV

[kaitykaity]

3. Thanks.

They're my two passions, sports and politics. It's just
like wow, other women here are the same as me.

My mom was a McGovern Democrat, worked as a volunteer in
1972. I started watching football at family gatherings
because us girls were made to go and do the kitchen work
otherwise, and I guess it stuck.

:hi:

Go Mariners, Go Seahawks (did you like Tonya Harding?)

[VelmaD]

5. Didn't like Tonya...

but my Dad sure did. :-) He's a werido. I did admire her athletic ability - I have old video footage of her landing that triple axel she was famous for. It was huge. She coulda been something amazing.

I was more into Ice Dance during the 94 Olympics - still have a crush on Christopher Dean. *sigh*

I totally understand about the "girls-in-the-kitchen" thing. My momma never ever engaged in that. Hell, she was usually in the living room with us wathing the Cowboys. Although, some of my best childhood memories are still me lying in front of the TV with Daddy while my momma and my little brother were busy in the kitchen making homemade cookies to eat at halftime. :-)

[LisaM]

16. Yup, both for me, too.

My dad was excited about Kennedy in 1960 - and has always been an avid Michigan and Detroit sports fan - and he also coached high school football. So Democratic politics, the University of Michigan and Detroit professional sports are all hallowed at our house. Everyone in our family went to Michigan, and we all started working on politics in our strollers!

[MaineDem]

2. Hmmm, Red Sox fan since about 1964 or 65

Just in time to be a HUGE fan for the '67 season. And I just know this is the year.

I seem to remember always being involved in politics. My father was active politically and I've inherited that gene, I guess. I don't ever remember NOT knowing what was going on int he political world. Even as a 9 or 10 year old I stood with signs. KENNEDY FOR PRESIDENT was the first one I remember.

[kaitykaity]

4. Uh-oh.

One of us is going to be heartbroken this year.
(Go Mariners.) :shrug:

[MaineDem]

18. Oh, you're right

I have sympathy for both of us. :)

[kaitykaity]

20. Me too!!

How about we proxy-root? One of my best friends is
an Anaheim fan, and when the M's blew up last year,
I had somebody to root for.

Works for me!

:hi:

[TEXASYANKEE]

6. I haven't experienced this.

I grew up in a sports-related environment (3 older brothers). My mom was a Detroit Tiger fan, so we listened to most every game. I played softball, basketball, and volleyball in high school; and played competitive softball until just a few years ago. However, my parents were not political. The people I played sports with were not (and still aren't) political. I've only been interested in politics since the mid-90s, so I'm a recent convert. I guess it depends on how one is raised or what one is interested in.

I am now equally obsessed with sports and politics. Go Stars!

[newyawker99]

22. Congrats TEXASYANKEE!! 900 posts

:toast:

[catzies]

7. You're right, that IS interesting!

I thought I liked both because I am an extroverted, classic type-A type, very competitive, and my childhood had more male influences than female (raised by Dad not Mom, no sisters).

When I was a little girl, I think I like sports when I realized I liked boys, and boys liked sports.

When I was a bigger girl, I liked politics when I realized I was a girl and would never get equal pay for equal work, for just one example.

[kaitykaity]

9. Ah, okay, the competitiveness of both things?

That good. Thank you.

[catzies]

11. Well, maybe think of it THIS way

The debating between friends of different political persuasions can be competitive. And I always come armed (with the facts!) and dangerous.

Oh, and in the '92 election, I started as a volunteer for my congressional candidate and became a staffer by rising up through the ranks. That was competitive.

And right now I am the PAC chair and acting President for my local chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus, a multi-partisan grassroots organization whose sole mandate is to get pro-choice women elected to the level of gender parity...and beyond ;)

Basically, I want women to run the world. It's time.

How's THAT for competitive? :P

[kaitykaity]

13. ROTFLMAO.

Will you be my friend? (As the noncompetitor who needs
a strong protector would say.)

:thumbsup:

[catzies]

15. Absolutely!

As our fellow DUer opihimoimoi would say:

Come, we go watch the game and drink beer, then we run the world.

:hi:

[wryter2000]

8. Yup

My father used to take me to see the Yankees (ok, go ahead and boo and hiss, I'm used to it :)) when I was a kid. I saw Mantle and Maris bat back to back. I've been a sports fan ever since.

Current faves -- the Oakland A's (my hometown team and the only one that treated Pam Postema professionally when she was trying to break into big league umping)

The SF 49ers. The bad news team that got good when the "Oakland" Traitors left town.

And let me say this -- Earl Campbell, Earl Campbell, Earl Campbell

Editted: grammar

[supernova]

10. Not a sports nut - most definitely

I don't enjoy sports that much. In the winter, I follow ACC basketball, but that's about it.

I'm really not into the whole winners/losers dynamic. But that's just me.

So I still love politics. Go figure. :shrug:

[kaitykaity]

12. If its not the 'winners/losers' aspect that draws

you to politics, then what? Different ideas,
expressions, connections?

Very interesting stuff.

[supernova]

14. The simplest answer

is that in politics there is the sense that ideas matter. Language matters. Debate and (the acquiring of) knowledge matter.

I freely admit that with Arnold running in California it's hard to keep to that ideal. :P

[catpower2000]

17. I love sports...

Football-Washington Redskins
Hockey-Philadelphia Flyers
Basketball--either the 76ers or the Lakers
Baseball--NY Mets

Those are my teams, for better or worse. I follow them whether they suck or not. I overwhelmingly like pro football better than any other sport. I also love college football and basketball.

Cat

[leftynyc]

19. Been a Knick fan since I'm 9

Giants and Rangers during college. Into politics, always...had to be in my family.

[populistmom]

21. I'm not into sports at all

But I appreciate the fact my husband is into it, so I deal with it. I support my children's sports that they participate in, but honestly, as far as pro sports, I don't care much. I was into politics in grade school. Never been into sports.

[Kamika]

23. not much for sports

ok

[Iris]

24. don't like sports

at least not the big ones you see on tv.

In fact, when crap like the Kobe Bryant case comes up, I'm downright disgusted.


There was an interesting book out about 10 years ago entitled,"The More Powerful Women Get, the More Popular Football Becomes" but that's another topic alltogether.