CALGARY – Some intramural sports teams at the University of Calgary are under scrutiny for ‘questionable’ names.
Complaints started coming in to staff at the U of C about some of the team names in October. Many said names like “The Frigid Whores” are offensive and sexist.
Others took issue with “Beats by Ray”. Students suggest it’s a nod to NFL player Ray Rice, who was arrested after assaulting his fiancé.
The University says all intramural names are under review and decisions will be made before the start of the winter season in January. A group of the players’ peers that run the intramural program will decide what is and is not offensive.
“In my opinion some of them are quite sexist and homophobic,” says Penny Werthner, Dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology.
“The concern for us is that the purpose of intramural sports and everything we do on campus is it’s inclusive so everyone feels comfortable to participate to learn to play sports.”
Not everyone is on side. An online petition is now appealing the decision – saying the review tramples students’ rights to free speech. At last check, 14 people had signed the petition.
The online group ‘#FreeUofC: Allow All Team Names’ has not responded to Global News requests for a comment.
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