Athletics Quote by Lisa Birnbach
““In crew, contempt is important. In Boston, Boston University and Northeastern crew are treated with contempt by the college up the river. Intramural crew is treated with contempt. Nonathletic coxswains (Chinese engineering majors, poets) are treated with contempt. A true coxswain is a diminutive jock, raging against the pint size that made him the butt of so many jokes at Prep school. He runs twenty stadiums a day, his girlfriend is six feet one, and he can scream orders even when he has the flu (which he catches at least three times a winter).””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Official Preppy Handbook, 1980
Contempt shapes social hierarchies in rowing, marginalizing non‑athletic participants and reinforcing elitist norms.
In simple terms: Contempt creates exclusion in rowing culture.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge elitist attitudes.
Themes
social hierarchy
exclusion
elitism
sports culture
gender roles
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- college rowing teams
- intramural sports
- non‑athletic coxswains
- team leadership
Key Concepts
status
power dynamics
identity formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does contempt affect team cohesion?
- What can be done to include diverse participants?
A Different Perspective
Contempt can also foster resilience and solidarity among marginalized members.
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