So, I got this idea to dig into something I’ve always been curious about: female officials in Big Ten football. It’s not every day you see women calling the shots in such a tough sport, right? So, I thought, why not dive in and see what’s up?
I started poking around, just trying to get a feel for the whole scene. You know, how many women are actually out there on the field, making those tough calls? What’s their story?
Getting My Feet Wet
First thing I did was just browse around, trying to find some names, some stories. Turns out, it’s a pretty small group, but a really impressive one. These ladies are serious trailblazers. I stumbled upon this name, Amanda Sauer-Cook. Man, what a story!
Digging Deeper
I really got into reading about Amanda’s journey. I mean, this woman made history in 2017, becoming the first female referee in an NCAA Division I football game. How cool is that? I started to find some old articles, and it really painted a picture of what it’s like to be a woman in this male-dominated world of college football officiating.
Putting the Pieces Together
It hit me that Amanda’s not just any referee, she’s a pioneer. She worked games in both the Big Ten and Mid-American football conferences. I was trying to put myself in her shoes. The pressure, the scrutiny, the sheer determination it must take to not just survive but thrive in that environment. It’s inspiring, honestly.
- Read a bunch of articles about female referees.
- Focused a lot on Amanda Sauer-Cook’s career.
- Tried to understand the challenges they face.
Realizations
This whole thing has been a real eye-opener for me. It’s not just about football; it’s about breaking barriers and challenging norms. These women are not just officiating games; they’re changing the game. I’m definitely going to keep an eye on this space and see how things evolve. It’s an exciting time, and I’m glad I took this little deep dive.
