Girls Can’t Be Referees

Posted by: gretchen on September 18, 2007 |

Last Saturday, Sarah Thomas became the first woman referee in recorded history to ever to call the plays in a major college football game. Her day job is a pharmaceutical saleswoman and she has 11 years experience at officiating high school football games.

The conference’s coordinator of officials, Gerry Austin, had this to say about Sarah:

“She came highly recommended by two NFL scouts. She has a good presence and demeanor. I feel like she has the ability and courage to make a call, and the guts to not make one, too.

I think it’s like any other time you are the first one, if she does a good job, I think she will have a very positive effect. If she messes up, some people might say females aren’t ready.”

Ironically, the day before I heard about Sarah’s debut on the college football field, I was drafting a Girls Can’t WHAT? referee design. I finished it up this morning and I’m pleased to announce it’s availability in the Girls Can’t WHAT? shop.

Referee Design

If anyone can get me in touch with Sarah Thomas, I’d like to send her one. :)

Comments

8 Responses to “Girls Can’t Be Referees”

  1. Amy Stephen on September 18th, 2007 8:00 pm
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    That would be very cool to get one to her! I’ll bet you can track her down. You can track anyone down!

  2. gretchen on September 18th, 2007 8:01 pm
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    You would know. ;)

  3. Lori Flynt on September 19th, 2007 6:56 pm
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    Sarah is one of my best friends. I’m sure she’ll be flattered. I will talk to her tonight - and let her know that you’re tracking her! pretty cute.

  4. lea on September 19th, 2007 8:54 pm
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    please contact me and i will let you know how. sarah has never let anything get in her way from a young girl playing basket ball in an all boy’s league to last saturday night. sarah is a great inspiration to all.

  5. Michelle on September 19th, 2007 9:30 pm
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    Sarah is also a good friend of mine. Sarah is great at everything she does from parenting to being a referee at Upwards basketball to officiating a College or highschool football game. She never turns her back on a challenge.

  6. gretchen on September 19th, 2007 9:38 pm
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    Awesome - I can appreciate the efforts to make the boys basketball team. I did the same thing when I was in the sixth grade because there was no girls team. Can any of you send me her email address? Just use the contact link at the top of this page so it doesn’t get posted publicly. Thanks. :)

  7. candice howell on September 20th, 2007 10:16 am
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    Sarah is one of my very best friends in the whole wide world. We have been through everthing together. I think the shirt is great! I know she would wear it with great pride! She has worked really hard to get this far! You go girl!!! I love you Sarah Jane!! cancan

  8. Girls Can't Be Football Referees : Girls Can’t WHAT? on September 24th, 2007 3:20 pm
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    […] I debuted a new referee design last week, but I had several people inform me that my design was more of a basketball referee than […]

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