Voicing support for female on Irish Guard
Proud to be led by newest
Guard member
This letter is in response to Anthony Farina's letter "New Guard Breaks Tradition." While I can understand Mr. Farina's viewpoint that some traditions should not be broken, he blatantly missed the fact that the criteria for the Irish Guard are: (1) the guard candidate should be over six-foot-two- inches tall and (2) possess outstanding marching skills. No guideline for the sex of the candidate is ever mentioned.
The fact is that there are not many women taller than six-foot-two and even less women that would wish to represent the University as an Irish Guard member. Molly Kinder is: (1) over six-foot-two and (2) she exhibits superior marching skills. Obviously she meets the criteria to be in the Guard.
I have heard of women trying out in the past, but none have had marching skills strong enough to make the Guard. The fact that a woman has never been in the Guard before is not a "time-honored tradition," it is a matter of circumstance.
Anyone present at band auditions would have observed that Molly marched an outstanding audition. Dr. Dye, the Assistant Directors and the graduate students all deemed that she had the qualities necessary to be a member of the Irish Guard.
Molly was not selected for the band "to be politically correct‚ or to try to fit in better with some of the idiotic ideas floating about in our society." Nothing about the decision was made to "promote equality." She was selected to be a member of the Irish Guard because she possesses superior marching abilities and she will exude a strong presence on the field.
Since day one of her selection into the Guard she has excelled at learning andmemorizing the half-time show and showing her complete dedication to the spirit of the band.
I feel that Molly exemplifies the spirit of the Fighting Irish and I am proud to lead the band with Molly Kinder as a member of the Irish Guard.
Jim McFarlin
Head Drum Major
University of Notre Dame Marching Band
August 31, 2000
All Viewpoint Stories for Friday, September 1, 2000
