Pool Culture at UVM: Women Navigating a Male-Dominated Space

The clack of billiard balls and friendly competition are hallmarks of the pool scene at the University of Vermont (UVM). However, beneath the surface of casual games in the Davis Center lies a more complex experience for female players, who often face intimidation and judgment in a traditionally male-dominated environment. While students like Ellen Gray and Eli Tripp enjoy the game, their experiences highlight a disparity in comfort and access.

A Different Experience for Women

First-year student Eli Tripp finds playing pool to be a natural fit, feeling comfortable approaching tables in the Davis Center. Senior Ellen Gray, however, experiences a different reality. She is acutely aware of being scrutinized, facing potential criticism or unwanted explanations of the game from male players.

“If a bunch of guys are on a table, it’s really intimidating to walk up to them and be like ‘hey, I’ve been waiting for a while,’” Gray said.

This pressure to perform well can create anxiety and discourage women from participating. While concrete statistics on gender disparity in pool are limited, the perception of a male-dominated culture is widespread among female students at UVM.

Senior Sophie Freedland shares similar anxieties, noting that Burlington bars are even more male-dominated than the Davis Center. Senior MJ Moline echoed this sentiment, stating, “I don’t think it’s a crazy feminist thing to say that it’s mostly men playing pool at the pool tables, and it’s a very male-dominated environment.”

Historical Context and Current Landscape

The challenges faced by women in pool are not recent. Historically, women were barred from participating in pool tournaments well into the 1990s, and even today, professional pool often remains gender-segregated. This historical exclusion contributes to the current cultural norms that can produce it hard for women to break into the game.

Creating a More Inclusive Space

In response to these challenges, a group of female students – Freedland, Gray, and Moline – have formed an unofficial pool league that practices three times a week in the Davis Center. This provides a supportive environment where they can enjoy the game without the pressures they experience in mixed-gender settings.

“I used to get really nervous to play, especially at a bar,” Gray said. “It feels like so much pressure, and you don’t want to be the girl that gets on the table and can’t make a single ball. It really feels like you’re taking up space, like people are waiting for you and they’re annoyed.”

Freedland expressed a similar feeling of being constantly observed while playing. “When [I’m] shooting, especially when me and another girl are playing, I always experience like the gallery of people is constantly watching every shot I capture,” she said.

Potential Solutions and UVM Demographics

Female pool players at UVM have suggested several ways to create a more welcoming environment. A table sign-up system would eliminate the need to ask male players for availability and reduce the pressure to quickly secure a table. The idea of hosting a “women and femme pool night” was also proposed as a way to create a dedicated space for female players.

Senior Sophie Williams, who has worked at the Davis Center for two years, estimates that approximately 70% of UVM pool players are male and 30% are female. This contrasts with the UVM first-year class, which is approximately 60% female and 40% male.

For Gray, the support of her female friends is crucial in building confidence. “I think a big part of it has been to have my girlfriends there with me to say ‘no, you deserve to play, you’ve been practicing.’ Even if you do mess up, it’s ok, these men can handle it,” Gray said.

Addressing the gender imbalance in the UVM pool scene requires a conscious effort to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for female players. By implementing solutions like a table sign-up system and dedicated events, UVM can help ensure that all students feel comfortable and welcome enjoying this popular pastime.