Men's and Women's Sports

My essay topic deals with women's and men's sports here at Brigham Young University. I questioned the difference in community support between men's and women's sports. Men’s sports have always been more popular, even the only kind of sporting events allowed. Athlete culture at BYU is special. Sports teams pray together, give devotionals, attend the temple and serve together. This is a special privilege associated with being a member of an athletic team here. Many prospective college athletes chose BYU over other, maybe even better, schools because of this culture. The BYU community elects excellence of these athletes on the court and off. This community helps sponsor athletics. This community helps to set the rules and guidelines for athletics. This community never misses a football game. This community travels across the country to be at basketball games. This community fails to show up to the women’s basketball games. This community does not support men’s and women’s sports equally.

In my opinion-editorial, I will seek to answer all three of the big questions posed in the Writing and Rhetoric book. 

What exists? I hope to draw attention to the vast difference in community support. Attendance records and other facts and figures will be extremely useful here. A logical appeal will be the main rhetorical device used. The BYU community will be made aware that women's sports have less community support. I used the history of attendance records to compare men’s and women’s sports. It is a fact that there is higher attendance at men's football, basketball, and volleyball games than their women’s counterparts. The community support can be found through the  ROC support, advertisements, television time, coaching salaries, gear, athlete recognition, and fan support. However, I would point out that support has increased with university help. Activities such as summer camps, pre-game parties, a student section and giveaways tend to draw large crowds. The audience will take away from this section the realization that there is a problem with community support of both men’s and women’s sports. 

What is good? After identifying the problem, I would utilize an emotional and ethical appeal. I hope to approach an open minded audience that women's sports are just as important as men's. The BYU  community should feel that there is an injustice. This would segue into the next part. 

What should we do? This question would be answered by examples of actions the BYU community can do. The community is made up of both faculty, staff, students, parents and alumni. Each member chose to be a part of this community and can do their part to support one another. I will seek to connect readers with their sense of community. I will urge them to do their part and support both men’s and women’s spotting events through a variety of ways including, but not limited to, attending events, planning pre-game activities, and being informed about the teams. Together, we can continue share the athletic spotlight between the men's and women's teams.