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Lyndsay Robinson (Cornell '06) |
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Bio
 What was your experience in youth athletics? Were there opportunities available to you?
Growing up in South Jersey, where youth soccer and basketball dominate organized activities available to children, I have been exposed to sports since I could walk. The Marlton Recreation Council, my hometown sports network, is well organized and provides an intramural and travel program for most popular games. I have been involved with soccer, basketball, and softball as an athlete; I competed for Marlton travel teams when I was younger and I remain active in community athletics as a coach and an official.
Until very recently there were no youth lacrosse programs in my immediate area. I began playing lacrosse during high school and there were few outlets beyond high school competition to expand my lacrosse exposure. Without travel leagues or intramurals established in the area, girls my age were on their own in terms of tournament play and out-of-school lacrosse experience. Lacrosse has continued to make headway in the area and several independent lacrosse programs have developed. Middle school and high school girls now have the opportunity not only to learn the game earlier but to enjoy tournaments and out-of-season play.
How does an Ivy League experience affect your athletics pursuits?
I never really sat down and said “I have to go to an Ivy League school.” My chief criteria when selecting a college were a competitive lacrosse program and a respected academic reputation. I considered Boston College, Lafayette, and Rutgers but quickly identified Cornell as the best place for me. I chose Cornell for the reasons I just described, its obvious academic challenges and the establishment of Cornell Big Red as a top national contender on the lacrosse field.
Are the academics challenging? Yes, but I do not find it an overwhelming feat to balance academics and athletic commitment. Ivy League sporting constraints, compared to NCAA program rules, put a damper on Ivy League athletes. The Ivy League restrictions have made it challenging to maintain premiere level play when competing against other Division-I programs that are not mandated by time and facility limitations.
There is a tradition of excellence present in the mindset of Ivy League athletics because there is no financial incentive to play. The athletes who represent the Big Red do so out of passion for their sport, commitment to their team, and desire to compete. I think the Ivy League athletic experience is unique in that respect.
I have never felt at a disadvantage due to a disparity between men’s and women’s programs. I feel that the equality of women’s sports at Cornell is something that is monitored closely, and Cornell has a lot of people and resources available for anyone who would like to address such an issue. The variations between men’s and women’s programs I have noticed are not exclusive to the Ivy League. Many of the men’s sports have more of an alumni following than the women’s programs. As a result there may be more contributions and financial benefits for the men’s programs compared to women’s, but I would expect the same at any other college or university.
How has the national climate concerning women’s athletics changed since you were in school?
With the emergence of women’s professional sports leagues, the WNBA, the LPGA, the trend seems to be an improving national climate for women’s athletics. When the US hosted the women’s soccer World Cup, the USA women enjoyed the support of fans across the country. Team USA’s victory sparked a following of younger athletes throughout the US and elevated the status of women athletes in the eyes of America. There have been more endorsements for professional women athletes— including Mia Hamm, Venus Williams and Cheryl Swoops— in response to the growing fan base and increasing respect for women as athletes over the course of my lifetime.
What obstacles still stand to young women who want to participate in athletics?
In a society that invests countless resources to achieving a perfect body, American women, especially young women, are presented with definitive stereotypes. Magazine covers boast superstars and celebrities with size zero physiques often giving young women the image of model-esque qualities as the quintessence of beauty. A considerable challenge facing young women who want to participate and succeed in athletics is overcoming the notion that to be athletic is tomboyish or unfeminine. There is a fine line between female fitness as a means for attaining beauty and the competitive drive that could be construed as a masculine quality. Women are encouraged to be aggressive on the athletic field and are required to do so in order to achieve athletic goals. However, it is with equal enthusiasm that women are expected to resume ladylike attitudes and behavior after competition. Pressure to perform well in athletic contests contrasts with society’s demands of ladylike etiquette. It may be stressful for young women to arrive at a balance between these two extremes.
What do you see in the future for women's athletics, will it continue to expand?
Based on the improved environment for women’s athletics that I have witnessed in the past ten years, I believe there is a future for women’s athletics. Despite the hardships in launching successful women’s professional sports leagues, I do think it reasonable to expect thriving women’s pro leagues in the future. As more children are exposed to various sports and if communities continue to embrace youth athletics, the fan base and audience support required for such developmental leagues will grow. There are many opportunities for expansion of women’s athletics and to say that we have reached the pinnacle of women’s athletics not viable. On the other hand, it would be unrealistic to suggest that the next attempt will successfully establish women as professional athletes. There is still widespread hesitation to accept women as competent, entertaining, professional athletes; this will continue to prove a hindrance to the emergence of the women’s professional athletic industry.
The Ivy League presents an optimistic perspective for the idea of athletic growth— it acts as an outlet for people interested in both academics and athletics. Students may enjoy their sport while they attain an exceptional education – those who are interested can utilize the resources and education gained through the Ivy League to help build the future of their sport. Whether it is through management, financing, or coaching, Ivy League athletes can remain active in their sport on a variety of levels. Like many Cornell alumnae, I would like to get into coaching after graduation. The glory of a good team ventures far beyond the players on the field. It has been intriguing to ascertain the various aspects of the game as I have gained lacrosse experience over the past eight years, and I hope to continue in this direction as a collegiate coach.
What has athletics done for young girls that choose to participate?
From bumblebee soccer to Division-I lacrosse, I have enjoyed a long run of athletic triumphs and tribulations. Through athletics I have gained friendships, knowledge, and opportunities that remain unparalleled by any other of my life experiences. To be involved with teams and competition is a great character building experience for anyone. The women I have encountered through athletics have profound teamwork skills, drive and determination as well as commitment and ambition. Girls who choose to participate in athletics reap the benefits of shared experiences, camaraderie, and personal achievement. I can speak only enthusiastically about the effect of athletics on character development.
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