Powder puff gets too rough

COEUR d'ALENE - Officials at Lake City High School are taking a long, hard look at whether to allow a time-honored tradition to continue at the school.

Powder Puff football, a flag football game that brings the girls out onto the gridiron while the boys stand on the sidelines cheering and coaching, is under scrutiny at Lake City following an incident that occurred during Wednesday's game.

Students report one of the female players punched another in the face.

"When the kids get this competitive, they tend to go beyond the limit that we'd like them to," said Principal Deanne Clifford. "When incidents like this occur, there are consequences for students involved."

Discontinuing the practice at the school is being considered, she said.

"The bottom line is, in order for it to happen, it needs to have a purpose," Clifford said.

If it does continue, additional steps will be taken to address and teach good sportsmanship, and safety.

Clifford said safety is commonly an issue in the game that pits girls against each other in a competitive sport they aren't trained for.

A few years ago, a student was accidentally injured during a game and broke a bone.

Although it's flag football, tackles do happen, Clifford said.

"Nearly half of the schools in the Northwest don't have Powder Puff football," she said.

Things have changed since the first powder puff football game took place in Connecticut in 1972. That same year saw the enactment of Title IX, a law that requires equity for boys and girls in every educational program that receives federal funding, including sports.

Prior to Title IX, organized athletic opportunities were limited for girls in schools.

"Today, we have girls who are top athletes," Clifford said.

It's likely one of the reasons Powder Puff football is no longer the soft sport implied by its name.

No decisions have been made yet whether the games will be banned at Lake City.

"We have to sit down and talk to our advisors about this," Clifford said. "I hate to take things like this away from the kids if they really want them, but we're responsible for the safety of the kids, and we want parents to know that they'll be safe."