Four words read on the back of Sarah Fuller’s football helmet: ‘Play Like A Girl’.

While her career as a kicker may be over due to COVID-19 restrictions, Fuller has inspired female athletes and begun to break boundaries in college sports across the country. Athletes, activists, and women have long had their eyes on this certain starting goalkeeper, a Vanderbilt University senior from Wylie, Texas.

   When Fuller was announced as the newest Vanderbilt kicker, she faced both praise and criticism. Women, especially young athletes like Fuller herself, were inspired by her position on a college football team. 

   And on Nov. 28, Fuller had all eyes on her as she kicked off the Commodores, making her the third woman to ever play in an FBS game. 

   The first of this legacy, Katie Hnida, opened the door in 2003 as the placekicker for the University of New Mexico Lobos. Hnida logged two extra points in a game against Texas State, making history and paving the way for the following women. 

   Hnida was followed by April Goss, placekicker for the Kent State Golden Flashes from 2012-2015. She became the second woman to score a point in an FBS game on Sept. 12, 2015. 

   And most recently on Dec. 12, Fuller has not only continued this legacy but made one of her own when she became the first woman to score a point in a Power 5 game in Vanderbilt’s game against the Tennessee Volunteers. 

   Senior Victoria Schwegmann is a multi-sport varsity athlete at SHS and personally feels inspired by Fuller’s involvement and performance.

   “I think our society puts females in boxes. We are often looked at as not good enough or able to achieve greatness but I think more women are stepping up to the plate and showing us all that women are capable of far greater. It honestly is really motivating to see a strong young woman not letting norms define her,” Schwegmann said. 

   Oftentimes, these stereotypes and societal pressures affect high school and even junior high athletes, not just college level athletes. 

   “I think young girls that want to pursue sports that are considered male-dominated or sports that have different rules for girls than boys will definitely walk those lines. And bend every rule that society places, because why not?” Schwegmann said. 

   As more opportunities arise for female athletes, more and more women will continue to be inspired to follow in Fuller’s footsteps, still paving the way for younger girls every step of the way.