OCWW | Vol 32, Issue 2

Winter 2002

Volume 32
Number 2

Assault on Title IX

Director's Outlook

From Where I Sit

Featured Topic

In Brief

National Initiative

Global Perspective

Data Connection

Links

Opportunities

For Your Bookshelf

Athletics Data Connection
Misinformation Surrounds Title IX

Although changes to Title IX proposed by the Commission on Opportunity in Athletics would affect sports at the middle school, high school, and college level, ten of the fifteen commissioners represented Division I-A universities, while only one commissioner represented high school, and no commissioners represented middle school, junior/community college, or Division II or III schools. (National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education)

Of the fifty-two panelists invited to testify by the Commission staff, opponents of Title IX outnumbered supporters by more than two to one. Fifteen of the speakers were in favor of Title IX, while thirty-one opposed Title IX, and six were neutral. (National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education)

A USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll conducted in January 2003, found that seventy percent of adults who are familiar with Title IX think the law should either be left as it is or strengthened, while a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll found that sixty-six percent of people felt favorable about equality for women in sports, even it it meant cutting men's programs.

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has never found an educational institution out of compliance with the athletics regulations of Title IX, nor has it initiated proceedings to remove federal funds at one school or college. OCR instead negotiates settlements with institutions and further extends the time institutions are given to archive compliance with Title IX (Women's Sports Foundation).

Title IX athletic policies have been upheld by every one one of the eight federal appellate courts that has reviewed them (National Women's Law Center).

The number of female college athletes has increased from 31,852 in 1972 to 150,916 in 2000. During this same time period, men's participation opportunities, teams, and budgets have also increased (National Women's Law Center).

Recommendations by the Commission will have devastating affects on women and girls. The Women's Sports Foundation estimates that women could lose $103 million to $122 million annually in scholarship money while the National Coalition for Women and Girls estimates that female athletes will lose between 274,000 and 931,000 sports opportunities per year.

The Athletics Arms Race: Fiscal Responsibility key to achieving Title IX Compliance

San Diego State University recently spent nearly $4,400 on helmet decals for football players, while the men's tennis team got only $2,121 for their entire equipment budget. Faced with a budget deficit, the university cut men's volleyball for a saving of $134,0000 rather than reducing its football budget. (The San Diego Union-Tribune 11/11/01)

A recent NCAA revenue and expenses study found that of 114 Division I-A schools reporting data, the average athletic department deficit was $600,000 in 2001. (Andrew Zimbalist).

The average college football team awards eighty-five football scholarships plus fields thirty-two walk-ons. The average NFL team has forty-five players on the team plus seven reserve players. If a college eliminated twenty-five football scholarships, it would save on average $750,0000 annually. (Andrew Zimbalist)

The top twelve Division I-A football coaches get paid salaries similar to NFL coaches. The average NFL team has revenues of more than ten times the average Division I-A school. (Andrew Zimbalist)

The average division I-A institution spends $373,000 each year recruiting male student athletes and $153,000 recruiting female student athletes. (National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education)

This data was taken from a variety of sources including, the National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education, the National Women's Law Center, the Women's Sports Foundation, and from a report by Andrew Zimbalist, Robert A. Wood Professor of Economics at Smith College that can be accessed at ww.ncwge.org