Calling the Title IX Plays by the Numbers

It is difficult to believe that a “nontraditional, independent woman” could actually take the position Norah Vincent did in “Feminists Are Poor Sports on Issue of Fairness to Male Athletes” (Commentary, Feb. 6). She led the reader to believe that girls/women are the only reason that some men’s sports (e.g., wrestling, swimming, gymnastics) have been cut from collegiate programs.

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, there was an increase of 88,030 female athletes from 1976 to 2001, but there was an increase of 40,730 male athletes during the same period. So what and where are these men playing? In just the 1990s the number of Division I football teams rose from 193 to 232. Please do not say that Title IX has been unfair to the male athlete.

Proportionality is not the only Title IX compliance criterion. Schools had two additional options that most failed to use. They could show a “history and continuing practice of expanding opportunities for women” or that they were “fully and effectively accommodating the interests and abilities” of women.

However, the biggest issue Vincent failed to address was athletic budgets. As stated in the Jan. 6, 2003, issue of the NCAA News, “Men continue to receive the overwhelming share of participation opportunities, operating budgets, recruiting dollars and scholarships -- despite 30 years of Title IX.”

Diane Ross

Palm Springs

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I believe that feminists are being overzealous in trying to “keep things fair.” Men have a much deeper passion for sports than women do. Feminists should be concerned with greater sexist issues, such as professions and income. The truth of the matter is that men sell sports; football games, basketball championships -- all make millions of profitable dollars.

Shannon Chaddick

Camarillo

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I have to ask Vincent: Was it fair that men’s sports got the lion’s share of available money before the enactment of Title IX? The answer, of course, is no. Title IX would not have been necessary if the money had been fairly divided. Now that it is more fair to women’s sports, the men and their advocates whine about proportionality and say it’s unfair. My heart bleeds.

Emma Willsey

Huntington Beach