First of all, let me say that I?m a big supporter of Title IX and women?s sports. I know that running in college was one of the best experiences in my life and so I think everyone--male or female--should have the same chance. However, this is why I?m so concerned about the elimination of men?s sports--a trend that is often blamed on Title IX. I?d like to offer three proposals that I think may help the situation.
1) When trying to enforce Title IX, colleges and the NCAA should take men?s football out of the equation. In terms of the number of players required to form a team, football is unique and therefore presents an insurmountable hurdle to maintaining a viable number of men?s sports while still providing several women?s sports.
2) I believe that Title IX is often used as an excuse for eliminating men?s sports, while the real culprit is school?s willingness to cut sports in order to give more money to football. Therefore, I think any school at any division, in order to be eligible for post-season competition (including bowl games), should be required to field at least 7 men?s and 7 women?s sports. This would ensure that the school is serious about maintaining a full athletic dept. and competing in several sports, rather than concentrating on only 1 or 2.
3) Combine XC, indoor and outdoor track as a single sport. They share most of the same resources, right down to the uniforms, and are often administered collectively. As long as the coaches and schools treat them as a single sport, shouldn?t the NCAA?
Feel free to criticize and debate these. I?m sure there are holes in my reasoning, but maybe others here can fill in the gaps.