In the 2016 powderpuff game, players admittedly became way too physical, and there were significant injuries like a concussion in a junior player and, yes, my dislocated and broken arm.
I am of the absolute opinion that George Mason should continue the annual powderpuff game tradition between juniors and seniors. Even after a late night ER visit, two casts, seven doctors appointments, and my dominant hand being unusable for six weeks, I still believe we shouldn’t take away the beloved powderpuff game. Here’s why.
Powderpuff is a favored tradition among upperclassmen and something many people look forward to participating in and watching. It helps the junior and senior classes get to know their peers on a closer level, involves more people in spirit week than just the select few who are chosen for the pep rally activities, and overall, is agreeably one of the highlights of the year.
I, and many other girls, loved practicing for the game and getting ready; donning my war paint and designing t-shirts. It’s a tradition that we shouldn’t give up for anything.
It’s accepted and expected among girls that there will be physical contact, and as the game progresses the injuries begin to stack up.
School officials have expressed concern over how physical the game has become, especially with the uptick in injuries over the past few years.
I won’t deny it, there are issues with the game and injuries as severe as a broken wrist are absolutely not okay to occur in a game that is meant to be, at most, “friendly competition.”
However, there are things that we can do to bring back the lightheartedness of this game instead of taking it away entirely.
Just because powderpuff players have been too rough doesn’t mean we have to scratch the entire tradition. In fact, that wouldn’t solve the overarching issue of being overly competitive; it would just make the future powderpuff players furious that they won’t play.
Instead of eliminating the powderpuff game from the homecoming activities line-up, why don’t we call girls out when they are playing rough rather than of encouraging it? Let’s make the game more about letting everyone play and having it be a positive experience rather than a cut-throat competition to see who can shred the most shirts.
Don’t take away our powderpuff game. One bad injury doesn’t call for scrapping a tradition. Do enforce the game so it’s a fun environment where everyone plays and no one fears being tackled or, worse, getting their arm broken.
