Lambert Suspended indefinitely at UNM

Elizabeth Lambert was suspended indefinitely from playing soccer at the University of New Mexico because of her rough play in the game against Brigham Young University (BYU). The video, included on ESPN's College Sports cite, displayed Lambert engaging in a little more than rough play. I would say it was absolutely outrageous and unacceptable. The video showed her punching other players, tripping and continually kicking them to the ground, elbowing, and finally viciously yanking another player's ponytail until she was pulled to the ground. Lambert's coach, Kit Vela, commented after her suspension that, "Liz is a quality student-athlete, but in this instance her actions clearly crossed the line of fair play and good sportsmanship." The only punishment for all her actions during the game was at the 76th minute when Lambert received a yellow card after one instance of tripping. The news reporters in the video constantly ask where the refs, other teammates, and coaches were during her actions. No one responded to her multiple acts of obvious violence until the 76th minute! Worst of all, her coach did not pull her out of the game and address this behavior. After the game and facing her consequences, Lambert apologized for her actions, saying she was "deeply and wholeheartedly regretful. I let my emotions get the best of me in a heated situation. I take full responsibility for my actions and accept any punishment felt necessary. This is in no way indicative of my character or the soccer player that I am. I am sorry to my coaches and teammates for any and all damages I have brought upon them."

Lambert's actions have received an abundant amount of media attention. However, it is the wrong kind of attention and is undeserved for women in sports. Women have been working so hard to draw attention to their participation in sports, and Lambert's actions have pushed their efforts back farther. Her actions were uncalled for, but one has to wonder if the consequences would be so severe for men sports. Society is so used to excessive rough play from males in sport. It was even quoted in the video on the cite that "What is rare is when women athletes are involved in any of this kind of behavior." This draws a line between what the expected actions are in male verses female sports. I am not saying it is unfair for women not to play as rough as the men; I think that all excessive rough play by any player is unacceptable. It is interesting though that the media does not chose to cover as many of the events of rough play that occur in men's soccer or football. People view excessive rough play in men's sports constantly, and people hear what players do that is not caught by the referees' eyes, yet they do not think that those players should be pulled from the game. They rather agree that men are just being men and allow them to continue with their rough play. This behavior should be addressed as it has been by UNM and the coaches of Elizabeth Lambert. This behavior takes away from the game and damages the value and beauty of the sport.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4629837

Shari Russell
Professor Kauer
Kin 338i, sec. 3023
T/TH 2-3:15