By Timothy Lewis

The Riverside City College women’s basketball team issued a statement regarding the unfair treatment they feel they have been facing from their fellow collegiate sports teams.

The disparities between how the women’s team and the mens team has been prevalent for years without any form of pushback from the college administration. Team Coach Alicia Berber shared her pride in her team’s decision to mobilize against their unfair treatment. Telling the Precinct Reporter, “They’re going to be the trail blazers for my team next year and the teams after that. This is the first time that people are actually hearing our voices. What bigger message could you send when these women are not just fighting for women’s basketball, they are fighting for women’s sports.” Not only do the Lady Tigers wish for equality for their own team but also for the needed recognition that nearly all women’s sports go through such hurdles to receive what is a given for a large majority of men’s sports.

However, the RCC women’s basketball team is not alone in their plight. Olympian, WNBA Hall of Hamer, and Riverside native Cheryl Miller showed her support by reposting their open letter to RCC President Gregory Anderson and Kinesiology Chair Steve Sigloch with the caption ‘Are we still fighting this battle! Riverside is still operating in the dark ages! Shame on you!.’ Powerful words coming from such a strong and powerful leader in the sphere of women’s sports.

What seems like what should be a quick fix has taken decades to be addressed. Team captain Elizabeth Lau shared with Precinct Reporter her frustrations. “We feel like this shouldn’t be a fundamental problem, because at the beginning of each semester, I’m sure schedules are issued out and each department is fully aware of who should be in the weight room and when.” Fellow teammate Shannon Jordan also shared her thoughts as to why she feels they are treated as second-class athletes. “I just think it’s a lack of respect, they don’t think we deserve time just as they do.” For those who wish to support, the RCC women’s basketball team will be playing against Costa Mesa this week on Thursday and the team will be sporting their “Equality in Women’s Sports” jerseys to reinforce their stance.