I grew up intensely watching college football. Saturdays consisted of my father ordering hot wings and pizza, then we would all gather around the television, cheering on the Tide and analyzing all aspects of the game. This was my father-daughter time, and we still continue these traditions to this day. I have a love and passion for football that transcends any other sport. I am fluent in football language, if that is the correct terminology, and I would say that I know more about the game than most men.

I was very active in sports growing up — sports that did not involve football. From gymnastics to track and field to figure skating, I loved the physical activity and was encouraged by my parents to get involved athletically. I secretly desired playing on the middle school football team and almost considered trying out until I attended a football game, saw how hard they hit and realized how much smaller I was compared to them. At the time, I thought it was not fair.

Whenever I go to a football game, I get into it. I cheer, scream and act a complete fool sometimes. I truly love and have a passion for the game. Many times, I have wondered how I could get involved other than being just a fan. If I ever decided that I wanted to pursue a career in football, there would be limited avenues for me to explore.

Because women cannot actually participate in the sport, there are arguments that women should not be allowed to officiate, announce or have any involvement in leadership “because they do not know what it is like to actually play the game,” but just because someone does not play the game does not mean they do not understand the game. There are many men who have the pleasure of participating in sports broadcasting who have never touched a football in their lives. There are many replay reviewers who have also never played their respective sport at a professional level. So you can see why that argument does not sit well with me.

I have come to recognize the lack of female representation in the sport in general. Sure, there are women sideline reporters, but these women are usually objectified to appeal to an audience made up of mostly men. You rarely – and I mean rarely – see women as announcers. Or never see women review players, referees or even in football leadership.

Many may not be aware of the fact that in some collegiate sports conferences, there is a designated title, the Senior Woman Administrator, or the highest ranking female who, according to the NCAA website, “is intended to encourage and promote the involvement of female administrators in meaningful ways in the decision-making process in intercollegiate athletics.”

I have a problem with titling someone in regard to their gender just to increase inclusivity. It seems like a half-hearted attempt to promote inclusivity but the title sounds degrading and offensive at first glance. It is extremely important to have many different perspectives represented in leadership, but it is degrading to title women officials by their gender and not do so for other officials.

The highest position a woman should strive for should not be “Senior Women Administrator,” but a position of greater impact without the gender-specific title. The NCAA should reconsider the naming of its women’s executive positions and give more opportunities for women to get involved in all aspects of athletics from executive positions to on the field. The little girl watching football should have the same opportunity to flourish in an arena that she loves but cannot participate in.

  Vel Lewis is a junior majoring in public relations and political science. Her column runs biweekly.