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Denied
A courtside view of how women athletes’ identities are policed, on and off the court
Women’s college basketball is big business―top teams bring in millions of dollars in revenue for their schools. Women’s NCAA games are broadcast regularly on sports networks, and many of the top players and coaches are household names. Yet these athletes face immense pressure to be more than successful at their sport. They must also conform to expectations about gender, sexuality, and race―expectations that are often in direct contrast to success in the game. They are not supposed to have muscles that are too big, they are not supposed to be too tough, they are not supposed to be too masculine or “look like men,” and they are not supposed to be queer.
A former college athlete herself, Michelle J. Manno spent a full season with a highly competitive NCAA Division I women’s basketball program as one of the team’s managers. In vivid detail, she takes us on the court, on the team bus, into the locker room, and to championship games to show the intense dedication that these women give to the game. She found, perhaps unsurprisingly, that these extremely talented women were strictly policed around the presentation of their gender and sexuality, especially the athletes who were Black. They were routinely monitored, banned from engaging in certain activities, and often punished for behavior that put their queerness, Blackness, and masculinity on display. Convincingly conforming to conventional expectations of gender and sexuality―from the clothes they wore to the people they dated―was yet another challenge at which they needed to excel. Importantly, Manno also highlights several well-known contemporary professional athletes―Brittney Griner, Serena Williams, Gabby Douglas, and Caster Semenya, among others―to show that fame and performing at the highest levels in sport does not protect women athletes from having to navigate the conflicting and often contradictory expectations of identity.
A riveting portrait of an elite basketball program, Denied will forever change our understanding of women athletes and the sports they play.
Women’s college basketball is big business―top teams bring in millions of dollars in revenue for their schools. Women’s NCAA games are broadcast regularly on sports networks, and many of the top players and coaches are household names. Yet these athletes face immense pressure to be more than successful at their sport. They must also conform to expectations about gender, sexuality, and race―expectations that are often in direct contrast to success in the game. They are not supposed to have muscles that are too big, they are not supposed to be too tough, they are not supposed to be too masculine or “look like men,” and they are not supposed to be queer.
A former college athlete herself, Michelle J. Manno spent a full season with a highly competitive NCAA Division I women’s basketball program as one of the team’s managers. In vivid detail, she takes us on the court, on the team bus, into the locker room, and to championship games to show the intense dedication that these women give to the game. She found, perhaps unsurprisingly, that these extremely talented women were strictly policed around the presentation of their gender and sexuality, especially the athletes who were Black. They were routinely monitored, banned from engaging in certain activities, and often punished for behavior that put their queerness, Blackness, and masculinity on display. Convincingly conforming to conventional expectations of gender and sexuality―from the clothes they wore to the people they dated―was yet another challenge at which they needed to excel. Importantly, Manno also highlights several well-known contemporary professional athletes―Brittney Griner, Serena Williams, Gabby Douglas, and Caster Semenya, among others―to show that fame and performing at the highest levels in sport does not protect women athletes from having to navigate the conflicting and often contradictory expectations of identity.
A riveting portrait of an elite basketball program, Denied will forever change our understanding of women athletes and the sports they play.
- GenresSportsNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
Published September 19, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 25, 2023
I received this arc for free in exchange for an honest review.
Denied is a research and interview heavy look into the world of women's college basketball, specially one season at Midwest State University. Through interviews with both players and coaching staff, Manno explores the racism, misogyny, and homophobia rampant in sports.
Despite being so fact heavy, I never felt like I was being forced to read a research paper for school. Additionally, I never felt confused because of my lack of knowledge on basketball (I'm a hockey fan, personally). Instead, I found myself unable to put the book down. I found the book well structured and enjoyed each of the 5 chapters, ranging from topics of recruiting practices, policing of gender identity and presentation, and the unfair way Black women are treated in the sports world. Through the interviews, you were really able to get an inside look of the players and what they have to overcome to play basketball.
I would recommend this book to both sports fans, and those interested in intersectional feminism, especially the latter, as the book focuses on the way race, misogyny, and homophobia come together to impact players.
5 stars
Denied is a research and interview heavy look into the world of women's college basketball, specially one season at Midwest State University. Through interviews with both players and coaching staff, Manno explores the racism, misogyny, and homophobia rampant in sports.
Despite being so fact heavy, I never felt like I was being forced to read a research paper for school. Additionally, I never felt confused because of my lack of knowledge on basketball (I'm a hockey fan, personally). Instead, I found myself unable to put the book down. I found the book well structured and enjoyed each of the 5 chapters, ranging from topics of recruiting practices, policing of gender identity and presentation, and the unfair way Black women are treated in the sports world. Through the interviews, you were really able to get an inside look of the players and what they have to overcome to play basketball.
I would recommend this book to both sports fans, and those interested in intersectional feminism, especially the latter, as the book focuses on the way race, misogyny, and homophobia come together to impact players.
5 stars
July 23, 2023
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my review*
“Denied” gives a much-needed, thorough examination of the trials women athletes face at all levels. I was invested in this book and found the insights from the college basketball team, as well as their coaches and some former players, eye-opening. I did find the book a bit repetitive at times but as someone who had to write many research papers in college, I think I get it. Read this book, and hope we can make some changes.
“Denied” gives a much-needed, thorough examination of the trials women athletes face at all levels. I was invested in this book and found the insights from the college basketball team, as well as their coaches and some former players, eye-opening. I did find the book a bit repetitive at times but as someone who had to write many research papers in college, I think I get it. Read this book, and hope we can make some changes.
June 19, 2023
I found this book to be a genuinely fascinating insight into the somewhat fraught world of gender, sexuality and race in an NCAA sports team.
This was of particular interest to me, as someone who's in a relationship with a Non-binary NCAA athlete, who's definitely experienced some weirdness from coaches in regard to their gender expression- including being made to change in a mop cupboard instead of the general changing rooms.
I really enjoyed the author's Perspective on the subject, and the array of secondary sources used was great. A real deep dive into the experiences of this team, and certainly a well researched and eye-opening one.
This was of particular interest to me, as someone who's in a relationship with a Non-binary NCAA athlete, who's definitely experienced some weirdness from coaches in regard to their gender expression- including being made to change in a mop cupboard instead of the general changing rooms.
I really enjoyed the author's Perspective on the subject, and the array of secondary sources used was great. A real deep dive into the experiences of this team, and certainly a well researched and eye-opening one.
July 27, 2023
I really enjoyed this book and its thorough exploration of the conflicting pressures placed on female athletes. The author was embedded with a university women’s basketball team, and gives specific examples of the ways they were impacted by stereotypes about women who play sports. This is an important work and I would recommend it.
March 28, 2024
I had to read this for my feminism and sports class : ) I honestly enjoyed it. It was a deep analysis of a college women's basketball team, delving into the intersectionality of women in sports. I wish there was more insight into the media at the time, and also the reactions of other students at the school, etc.
November 13, 2023
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my review.
‘Denied’ is a research and interview-heavy book to discuss how women athletes’ identities are policed, on and off the court.
This story is one that everyone should read. It will start conversations that need to be had.
I enjoyed the insights from players and coaches.
I love the breakdown of the book. There is a glossary at the beginning to help define terms that will be used throughout the book—a well-thought-out introduction with descriptions for each of the five chapters.
I recommend this book to you if:
- You enjoy sports
- You are interested in intersectional feminism
- You want books that start a conversation
‘Denied’ is a research and interview-heavy book to discuss how women athletes’ identities are policed, on and off the court.
This story is one that everyone should read. It will start conversations that need to be had.
I enjoyed the insights from players and coaches.
I love the breakdown of the book. There is a glossary at the beginning to help define terms that will be used throughout the book—a well-thought-out introduction with descriptions for each of the five chapters.
I recommend this book to you if:
- You enjoy sports
- You are interested in intersectional feminism
- You want books that start a conversation
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews