August 23, 2003

University of New Mexico backup placekicker Katie Hnida, the first female to play in a Division I college football game, has gone public with some allegations of mistreatment while suiting up for Colorado in 1999: "In one instance, she said, a Colorado quarterback would throw footballs at her head while she practiced kicking field goals."

posted by rcade to football at 09:10 AM - 2 comments

Reading these stories left me amazed that three college coaches were willing to take on the media grief that Hnida represents. If she were good enough to start, I could see it, but so far none of the coaches appears to believe that. She's been third-, fourth- or even fifth-string. It's funny that Neuheisel made her the offer at Colorado and Barnett felt like he was stuck with the decision for fear of taking heat. I hope she gets a chance to kick at least once this year -- having a career that amounts to one blocked PAT is ugly -- but she may have to arrange a few accidents to the kickers ahead of her in order for that to happen.

posted by rcade at 10:17 AM on August 23, 2003

Funny how she's had two completely different experiences at two different colleges. I would guess it has to go back to the coach. If the players honestly didn't think she was good enough to be on the team, it's going to cause problems. Still, no one deserves to be treated like that. However, she seems to be very careful with what she admits to. Makes me wonder if she's hoping for a book/movie deal.

posted by justgary at 02:09 AM on August 25, 2003

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