The varsity boys football team reels in another win.
Later on, varsity girls basketball plays their first game. The stands are quiet; only a few spectators come.
“Girls sports teams work just as hard as boys teams and yet we don’t get treated equally,” said junior Tyrese Lopez, a player on the girls varsity basketball team.
“Why should boys sports teams receive more funding? What do they do that makes them more special?” said Lopez. Patrick Smith, Carlmont’s athletic director, stated that the answer to this question is not that simple.
“The short answer is yes and no. Yes, boys sports receive more funding than girls sports. That being said, it has a lot to do with the sports that are played by both boys and girls and the necessary equipment to play those sports,” said Smith. Carlmont’s sports program offers volleyball, cross country, water polo, soccer, tennis, track, lacrosse, softball/baseball, basketball, badminton, and swimming to both boys and girls.
Carlmont strives to provide its teams with the appropriate and safest equipment that will allow them to succeed. According to Smith, there is equal funding throughout these teams, as the equipment for both genders is very similar. However, the one sport that does not fit into this equation is lacrosse. Boys lacrosse requires an extensive amount of body pads along with sticks and helmets. Girls lacrosse is much simpler; it only requires protective eyewear and sticks.
“It makes me feel guilty and selfish that my team receives more funding. It shows that I am given more opportunity simply because I am a boy, which should not be the case,” said Eric Swanson, a junior on varsity lacrosse.
Football specifically requires very expensive equipment, as each helmet can cost up to $300 and shoulder pads can cost $200. Carlmont’s JV and varsity football teams are very large, which increases their spending budget.
“I don't think funding per se would have a significant impact on a team, as long as that team has the necessary equipment to play the game. The equipment needs to be in good condition so that the game can be played to the highest level and in the safest manner,” said Smith.
A team’s performance and moral can be significantly influenced by the amount of funding they receive. “Athletes need to feel good about themselves to play at a high level. Budget can be a heavy factor influencing each team and individual sports player’s performance and moral,” said Smith.
Carlmont has a designated sports budget of $5,600 that they give to the sports teams each year. In addition, Carlmont’s ASB has a budget of $5,000 that they give to the sports teams. On top of that, Carlmont’s booster club helps to fundraise money for Carlmont’s sports teams.
The district also gives a budget of $60,000 regarding transportation and the payment of coaches. The problem with equal funding between boys and girls originates from the higher percentage of male athletes.
All sports at Carlmont have co-ed opportunities, however certain sports are primarily male dominated which results with them having more funding.
“Encouragement for girls sports needs to start at a young age. Communities and schools should be behind supporting girls sports just as much as boys no matter the age. School is where we all learn the standards by which we should live in society,” said Swanson.
This budget epidemic is not only relevant at Carlmont. Throughout the country there is a difference in the spending on teams.
At Hudson High School in Massachusetts, their publication The Big Red, stated that girls sports between July 2013 and March 2014, girls sports received $17,933.67, and boys teams were given $46,815.93.
According to Black Enterprise, the average WNBA player in 2012 was reported to make $72,000 a year while the average NBA player made a minimum salary around $525,000 a year. “It’s annoying knowing that the guys teams get more funding than we do. However, knowing that it’s because of the equipment needed I understand why the boys receive more than the girls,” said Lopez.