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'Ladies' No More? Gender Issues Under Scrutiny in Women's Sports Branding

Facebook/TN Lady Vols Basketball

 

As the University of Tennessee- Knoxville Athletics program evolves from their moniker “Lady Vols” other universities with gender distinguishing titles are being asked if they will change as well.

Clarksville’s Austin Peay State University has called their women athletes “Lady Gov’s” since the 1970’s when the Student Government Association voted to include lady in the title. APSU Interim Athletic Director Cheryl Holt says their department hadn’t considered changing it again, and won’t unless it is brought up for more serious discussion.

“I’ve never asked them, do you prefer to be Governors or do you prefer to be the Lady Gov’s, and its just not been a hot button topic.” Holt said.

Holt said that if any changes are made she hopes they are done so across the board. 

"Whether it's the Lady Gov's or Governors it should be consistent." Holt said. 

According to the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle the only other University in the Ohio Valley Conference with a sanctioned gendered nickname is Tennessee State University with their Lady Tiger Basketball Team and Lady Tiger-belle Track Team. University of Tennessee Martin and Murray State University have confirmed their program titles are gender neutral.

Nicole Erwin is a Murray native and started working at WKMS during her time at Murray State University as a Psychology undergraduate student. Nicole left her job as a PTL dispatcher to join the newsroom after she was hired by former News Director Bryan Bartlett. Since, Nicole has completed a Masters in Sustainable Development from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia where she lived for 2 1/2 years.
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