I agree with Kimstu’s response. College sports are important for many reasons. Some of them are related to educational objectives. I have to say however that I am a bit put-off by some of the things that are going on with the NCAA. I believe this is an organization with enormous power. Sometimes I think the agenda is set according to what is good for the NCAA instead of what is good for students, universities, and communities. But…that would be another thread.
As for coed teams… I know of very few females that would be capable of making a high school varsity “boys” team. There are some girls out there that could. Not many. I seriously doubt there would be more than a handful of women 18 to 22 years of age that could make a D1 mens basketball team. Men are stronger and usually faster.
**Why is public funding going towards sports programs in college anyways? If you want to play football or curling or whatever, why should a public institution subsidize you, male or female, in the first place? With tuition rising faster then inflation, I would be very interested in seeing how much paying for the next generation of (American) football players and basketball players is costing us. **
I can understand this way of thinking. I believe that athletic programs that are run properly have tremendous value. These kids and young adults learn life lessons that are priceless. So many, too many athletic programs are not run properly. These kinds of programs give college athletics and athletics in general a bad rap. It is impossible to justify scholarship money being spent on thugs and athletes that are not getting the job done academically.
So, I ask Kimstu: If Title IX has been corrupted into a guota system, would you favor reforming it back to its original intent?
jacksen9, you must be a fine athlete. Because of your athletic skills, you received a full scholarship and you athletic travel was also paid for. You’re unhappy, because the men had more plush travel arrangements. This is envy.
My daughters don’t have your athletic skills and I paid full tuition for them. I’m envious of you, just as you’re envious of the male hoopsters. Envy can be a powerful emotion, but it isn’t a good basis for making policy. It’s more likely to lead to feuds.
**You’re unhappy, because the men had more plush travel arrangements. This is envy. **
Believe me December, the unhappiness that I am experiencing has nothing to do with how USM athletics chose to spend their money.
I noticed when I was in college that the men’s program seemed to get a better deal. I thought it was unfair. IIRC I was more concerned with throwing frisbee barefoot on the baseball field. This was indeed my true talent.
Envy - no.
I applaud you for your willingness to send your kids to college. I think it is wonderful that you are financially capable of providing the girls with this essential opportunity. This was not the case with me. Neither of my parents graduated from high school. There was no money for tuition. The vast majority of the people I graduated with did not even go to college. Had it not been for basketball, I would have probably ended up working out at the plant, waiting on Friday’s check so I could go buy a six pack of Old Milwaukee and get a new tattoo. I say all of that just to make the point that without this “gift” I would have ended up nowhere. Not that I am in the West Wing now.
I believe scholarships should be awarded for all kinds of achievement. I do not think universities and other institutions should grant scholarships solely for academic achievement. This would be kind of one dimensional.
Title IX has had a huge impact on our society. I believe this to be a positive thing. Girls have in large numbers gotten off the sidelines and onto the court. They have opportunities to showcase their skills in a main event… not merely in an activity that supports the main event. I think this is great. Another post stated something along the lines of “females participate in sports because they have been forced”. I believe they participate because they can. We are living in a society that recognizes the importance of opportunity. The leaders of this great nation have shown tremendous courage by writing laws that mandate equal opportunity.
Your last post addresses the scholarship issue. This is only one part of Title IX. IMO the best part of Title IX has to do with high school athletics. Before Title IX school budgets spent most of the athletic budgets on sports for guys. Now they have come full circle on this issue. Honestly, I think some administrators underestimated how many girls were interested in participating in athletic activities other than cheerleading and dance. Now that they see how much the kids love these programs, they would not take them away unless there was no other option. BTW, funding is getting so tight, I see cuts in the very near future. I predict however that the cuts will be made across the board…not just on the girls side. EXCEPT FOOTBALL. Football is the sacred cow.
