Playing ball with the boys is not a publicity stunt for one young lady. Jessy McKinney, a sophomore at Nevada High School, is a linebacker on the football team.

“I’ve wanted to go out for football since the seventh grade, but we moved about every year and I never got the chance until now,” McKinney said.

She had to meet with the coaches, the athletic director, the principal and her parents, before starting practice. They explained the dangers of getting hurt, but said they realized she was determined to play. McKinney was allowed on the team because she loves to play football, not because she wanted to be noticed, she said.

“I have to be able to give 100 percent just like everyone else,” she said. “I get a lot of respect from my teammates. When they tackle me, they don’t treat me any different.”

While McKinney does not think her football career will expand outside of high school, should she have a change of heart and decide to make a run at the Cyclone football roster, she would not be prohibited from trying to make the team.

“We don’t have rules that say females can not try out for a male sport,” said Prentice Gautt, an official with the Big Eight Conference.

All prospective players must have a physical, sign a contract stating they are not using drugs and be enrolled in a full-time program at the university, Gautt said.

“It is an interesting issue, but in the Big Eight we haven’t had a chance to explore the possibility. It’s more of an issue for the institution,” he said.

Tim Bald, Iowa State’s compliance coordinator, said there is not a rule prohibiting females from trying out for male-dominated sports. It is more of a coach’s prerogative.

Under the NCAA’s Title Nine regulations, men and women have the option to participate in a sport if a corresponding, gender separated, sport is not offered, said Tom Kroeschell, director of athletic media relations.

A woman could try out for the football team because there is not a women’s football team. But no woman has ever tried out for the ISU football team, Kroeschell said.

Men, however, are not allowed to try out for volleyball because there is a greater number of male-dominated sports offered.

“If you have men on a women’s team, it becomes a men’s team according to championship regulations,” said Bob Oliver, director of NCAA legislative services.

But at least one player said she doesn’t think gender distinctions are big issues with athletics.

“I’ve never played with any guys at the university level,” said Heidi Rogers, an ISU volleyball player. “It wouldn’t bother me that much though. It’s a sport enjoyed by males and females.”