by Matt Mortensen

Created on: April 30, 2007   Last Updated: May 03, 2007

Title IX:
Gender Equity - Champion or Foe?

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 is a perfect example of well-intended legislation looking beyond the mark. There is no denying the pervasive impact that Title IX has had on gender equity in the United States. I believe that this impact has been extremely positive in regards to academics. However, I do not believe that this impact has been equally positive in regards to collegiate athletics. Although both men and women can be found in virtually all academic circles, such is not the case with athletics, particularly such sports as football and wrestling. Thus, it is unfeasible to support the notion that the principles embodied by Title IX can be equally applied to both arenas.

According to a website entitled "Gender Equity in Sports," the base principle behind Title IX states:
"No person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal aid."
My first encounter with this phenomenon came through a highschool friend. This particular friend had played soccer in high school and wanted to continue his participation in the sport in college. Upon admittance to the University of Utah, he was disappointed to discover that the men's soccer program had been discontinued and existed as a simple club team. The university had disbanded its men's soccer program in order to comply with Title IX stipulations. My friend explained to me that in order for a college to comply with Title IX, it must offer the same number of athletic scholarships to both men and women.
I do not understand how getting rid of a popular and productive collegiate program can support the cause of gender equity. I am in complete agreeance that gender equity in regards to issues such as college admissions or employment is all well and good, but I fail to see how such equity can equally apply to the realm of collegiate sports. After all, women do not generally participate in all sports at the college level, particularly sports such as football and wrestling. These two sports alone can account for well over 50 athletic scholarships offered by any particular university or college. In the case of my friend, the University of Utah decided to disband their men's soccer team in order to help balance the number of athletic scholarships they had to offer to both genders. Now the university has a women's soccer team,

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