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A decorated lacrosse player for Northwestern University, Hannah Nielsen talks to MOUTHPIECE about what it's like to play in the male-dominated sport. Find out why this Wildcat thinks the tide is turning for women's sports coverage.
Landing almost every sports award available in 2008 for her skills in Lacrosse and athleticism, including the 2008 Lacrosse Honda Sports Award, 2008 Tewaarton Trophy and Player of the Year by the American Lacrosse Conference, Hannah Nielsen of Northwestern University knows a thing or two about what it’s like to be a women in sports.
A native of Adelaide, Australia, Nielsen was recruited for the Wildcats Lacrosse team from a highly competitive process that has increased its overseas search for young talent in recent years.
“I decided in 2005 to come to Northwestern. It was different, it was in the Midwest, no Australian had been here. I knew it would be a really good fit for me,” said Nielsen.
Considering her impressive record thus far, she obviously made the right choice. As a Junior, Nielsen has already chalked up several All-American, MVP and ALC titles, all while pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Psychological Services.
Growing up, Nielsen dabbled in a variety of sports, and actually owes her success in lacrosse to her earlier interests in tennis.
“I played tennis with a girl who played lacrosse. I went to a couple practices and loved it.”
Odds are she didn’t realize it at the time, but from a young age, Nielsen was already being exposed to the differences between pink and blue.
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“My parents, my dad especially, taught me so many different sports; what the boys play, what the girls play,” said Nielsen, oblivious to the hidden bias she had just revealed.
While this subtle gender divide never stopped her from getting involved with any one sport, Nielsen was slowly learning that there was indeed a division between the boys and girls, but ironically, it wasn’t the boys dolling out the flack.
“I played sports with the boys growing up. I played cricket, which is a boys’ sport,” said Nielsen “but it was usually looked down upon among the girls. The boys think it’s really cool that you can do what they can.”
Women being the biggest misogynist of ‘em all isn’t exactly a new theory. In fact, most women will be the first to admit that they just don’t like other women (there’s a reason “catty” has become a socially acceptable term).
Like many girls growing up, Nielsen was naïve to this truth. Admitting that she played sports for the reason all kids play sports: because it was fun.
“I had no idea growing up girls were just playing to impress the boys. I wanted to play because I loved it.”
Though the argument that women have shot themselves in the foot could play on indefinitely, they’re not entirely to blame. If a little girl today flips on the TV to any given sports station, the odds of her seeing a reflection of herself is slim.
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Nielsen knows first hand what it’s like to get the short end of the stick when it comes to equal coverage. Not only does she feel the slack on campus, but in the media too.
“When men get 50,000 people to their championship game and we get seven, you notice,” said Nielsen, “I think there should be more student awareness with it. Even on ESPN you don’t often see any girls’ sports.”
Well, you do see some girls and some sports on ESPN, but not-so coincidentally does it usually end up being the Jennie Finches and Maria Sharipovas of the world. In other words, if you're going to get some air-time or even a decent turn out at the games, you better be more than just a great athlete—you better be a looker.
“They’re going to pick the sports that girls look the best. I don’t think that’s going to change for a while,” says an honest Nielsen.
Not that it’s necessarily as cut and dry as the pretty girls get all the attention, but the reality is women’s sports and the women who play them have to earn their spot in the limelight, whereas men are more likely to be given it.
“In 2005, I played in the [Women’s Lacrosse] World Cup for the Australian team. No Australian team has won the world cup, but we won in 2005 and it was one of the best things because even the men respected us for it. The whole country thought we were amazing. We received a lot of recognition.”
A stand-out moment in Nielsen’s career? Absolutely, but also a stand-out moment in women’s sports. Not only did Nielsen and her teammates prove that Australia could win, but that it took a group of talented women athletes to bring that title home. Is this moment, like many others in women's sports, fleeting?
“I think men are a lot further ahead than the women are. In any women’s sport, I think it’s overshadowed by the men’s sport,” says Nielsen, in regards to her perception of the unequal playing field; a perception that is arguably 20/20 for this decorated success story who has seen sports coverage on both side of the ocean.
So what’s the fate of women’s sports coverage? No one can say for certain, but Nielsen is confident that the growing exposure of her beloved sport may help turn the tide on women's coverage.
“Anyone who plays lacrosse thinks it’s the coolest game. It’s definitely growing. The attendance is getting bigger and bigger. Lacrosse is going through a patch right now where it’s really starting to explode. Nike and Reebok are coming out with big lines. It’s unbelievable to get those companies involved.”
Though the debate on equality and fairness in today’s men’s and women’s sports coverage could potentially sustain a lifetime of controversy, there is a consensus at hand.
“I couldn’t imagine my life without sports. Growing up being an athlete is really important, sports is most influential thing in my life. Everything I’ve learned on the field can translate off the field as well,” says an appreciative Nielsen.
