Religious school says it has been misunderstood; the issue is proper male role models

By Diane Silver

After seeing it's rejection of a female basketball official show up in everything from the Kansas City Star to ABC's Good Morning, America, St. Mary's Academy now says it was all a misunderstanding.

The only problem is that their new explanation doesn't make things sound much better -- not to mention the fact that the people involved in the incident say St. Mary's is, ah, fibbing.

In a news release, St. Mary's says:

This formation of adolescent boys is best accomplished by male role models, as the formation of girls is best accomplished by women. Hence in boys’ athletic competitions, it is important that the various role models (coaches and referees) be men.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there currently, oh say, a bazillion male role models in the world of athletics and basketball officiating? One female official in one game was going to hurt these kids?

The release also notes:

In addition, our school aims to instill in our boys the proper respect for women and girls. Teaching our boys to treat ladies with deference, we cannot place them in an aggressive athletic competition where they are forced to play inhibited by their concern about running into a female referee.

Message to St. Mary's: We don't break.

By the way, the official who was ejected, Michelle Campbell, is a retired police officer. I bet she has survived worse than a bunch of boys running around a gym with a basketball.

Meanwhile, a visitor to this blog talks about what life is like at St. Mary's. (Look at the comment from Raphael)

IMAGE: The seal of St. Mary's Academy and College