The importance of Title IX in college athletics

Equality among men and women has been gradually improving over time. Women have only had the right to vote for 96 years, though enacting laws to ensure such equality is still necessary.

In 1972, as a part of the Education Amendments, Title IX was put into action. According to the National Center for Education, Title IX is meant to “protect people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.”

Included in education programs and activities is athletics.

People often are only aware of Title IX because of the impact it has on athletics. Prior to Title IX, people simply assumed that women didn’t have any interest in sports. The few sports that were offered to women were on a lower level and were handicapped in many ways.

Women’s basketball was confined by ridiculous rules in its beginning stages. According to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, in 1910 dribbling the basketball wasn’t allowed, and in 1916 coaches could only speak to their players at halftime. These rules were enacted because it was assumed that women couldn’t handle the intensity that comes with playing basketball the way their male counterparts did.

The limit on dribbling wasn’t lifted for women until 1966; by that time the Men’s National Basketball Association (NBA) had been established for twenty years.

Prior to the establishment of Title IX, fewer than 32,000 women competed in college athletics according to the National Women’s Law Center. They also only received 2% of athletic budgets. That’s 2% to buy uniforms, gear, pay travel expenses, team promotion, offer scholarships and equipment. I don’t have to tell you, that is not adequate.

Since the passing of Title IX, the NWLC found that in the 2010-2011 the number of female collegiate athletes reached 200,000.

Erica Ledy, head Women’s basketball coach at NEC, shared why she is grateful for the role that Title IX plays in college athletics: “I went to college in the mid 80’s when women were starting to receive athletic scholarships.  I was lucky enough to receive a full-ride scholarship to earn a degree, as well as being able to play the game I loved. After graduation, I had a lot of options but chose to go into the coaching profession.  Not only did Title IX make it possible for me to get a free education, it allowed me to continue my basketball career as a player and now, 28 years later, it still makes it possible for me to earn a living as a coach. I am very grateful and appreciative of Title IX.”

Opportunities such as the one Ledy was presented with may not have been possible without Title IX. One requirement of Title IX is that men’s and women’s athletics offer the same number of scholarships.

Critics confuse this requirement with the assumption that scholarships are being taken away from men and given to women. The confusion is due to the fact that the NCAA determines how many scholarships each sport can offer.

“Title IX promotes equal opportunity for men and women in athletics. Before Title IX, there were injustices everywhere in athletics,” said NEC Athletic Director Lou Izzi.

Izzi also mentions how, “women faced discrimination, prejudice and racism. Title IX has resulted in significantly greater participation opportunities and funding for women.  We have seen a substantial increase in the number of women playing college sports, as well as men, so Title IX certainly has opened the door for many.”

Others share the same sentiment towards the opportunities available to them since the law’s passing.

Former WNBA and NCAA legend, Lisa Leslie, told Sports Illustrated that “Going to college on a full scholarship, playing in the Olympics and becoming a WNBA all-star might never have happened for me without [Title IX].”

While some believe Title IX is no longer necessary, most people are unaware of its existence.

Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, was concerned that, “A lot of people don’t even know what Title IX is. And we can’t let that happen. It’s important that this generation be a voice to not let Title IX die.”

Younger generations who have grown up with the ability to participate in sports at all levels, don’t know how important the passing of Title IX was to their ability to play the sports they love. And, because female athletes are so common nowadays, the significance of the growth in numbers of participation isn’t recognizable.

Olympic athlete Shawn Johnson believes the lack of awareness of Title IX is because, “I don’t think it’s something that’s really taught as you’re growing up.”

Johnson makes a valid point. Title IX isn’t common core curriculum and isn’t even common knowledge amongst athletes. However, Title IX’s importance goes beyond the major impact it has on sports. Title IX is also in charge of ensuring that education institutions follow the correct procedure when it comes to sexual harassment/assault claims.

The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released a list in May of 2014 of colleges and universities that were possibly under violation of this section of Title IX. Just a few of the schools  on this list include: Boston University, Harvard University, Dartmouth College, Princeton University, Ohio State University, and Vanderbilt University.

This is an immensely important part of Title IX, with instances such as the Brock Turner and Jameis Winston cases in the news as of late.

The lack of education and awareness is another reason why people don’t know that following the correct procedure for these claims falls under the authority of Title IX. Title IX has made such an impact on athletics that its accomplishments are considered the norm.