NY SHARKS MAKE SPORTS MUSEUM OF AMERICA “HERSTORY”

NYC Sports Commissioner Ken Podziba opened the numerous acknowledgements with a letter from Mayor Michael Bloomberg as well as his own praise. There were letters and certificates from Senator Hillary Clinton, Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the Nassau Sports Commission, and Congressman Anthony Weiner.

What was even more awe inspiring were the letters from Senator Charles Schumer and Governor David Paterson. Schumer wrote: “In an age of growing gender equality, women in the field of athletics continue to be subjected to unjust discrimination and sexism. History has proven that the best way to combat any social injustice is to systematically challenge it. The efforts of teams like the New York Sharks do just that. Yard by yard, touchdown by touchdown, your efforts bring the country closer to the golden ideal of gender equality and for that I applaud you”.

Governor Paterson focused on the remarkable success of the team, the individual capabilities as well as both physical and mental challenges. “The entire Sharks team embodies the characteristics of true champions and exhibits immense strength and resolve that make all of you an inspiration for female athletes throughout the state and nation. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I applaud you for being exceptional role models and sources of pride, as these attributes have clearly brought you far in your careers”.

A proclamation was issued by Anthony Weiner to Andra Douglas who “sets an example for empowering women, and, who after retiring from the quarterback position at age 45…devotes much of her time and money to keeping the Sharks afloat…Has not only been instrumental in the developing the female Junior Player Development Program, a first for girls, but also developed the reputation of her organization”

Samantha Rapaport, a youth development employee for the NFL and former quarterback of the Montreal Blitz, gave a speech citing all of the reasons as to why Andra Douglas should be honored as a pioneer of women’s tackle football before introducing John Urban, the President of the Sports Museum of America.

It was at that point when Andra Douglas signed her retired #7 jersey and presented it as the first item that will be exhibited by a women’s tackle football team. Although it is not clear as to where the jersey will be exhibited in this enormous museum, the possibilities may lie with either Billie Jean King’s International Sports Center or an exhibit entitled, Breaking Barriers.

October 16, 2008 - Queens Times