2008 Woodie Awards
Title IX debated as possible factor in recent cuts
By Travis Pickens
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 2/10/06 Section: Sports
Anytime something dramatic happens, people look for an excuse or a scapegoat.
Following Slippery Rock University's decision to discontinue eight varsity sports, a common opinion, at least among the men's sports that got axed, was that Title IX had an influence over the decision.
To understand the reasoning behind these opinions, you first have to understand what Title IX is. To define it in simple terms, the act was established to give women equal opportunity to compete in collegiate sports, not by means of putting women on the wrestling or football teams, but by giving them the chance to have their own sports. Above that, the purpose was to first give women a chance to attend college.
After the university's sports cut decision, the number of men's varsity sports dipped from 12 teams to seven and the women's programs from 11 teams to eight. Freshman water polo player Sean Casella said he has good reason to believe the decision wasn't related to Title IX.
"They cut a lot of women's sports too," Casella said. "They said money issues were the reason."
Robert Watson, vice president of student life, said the university tried in vain to raise money to keep all 23 varsity sports active. But when it came down to the final decision, the lack of money, not Title IX, was the deciding factor.
"That was not part of our decision," Watson said of Title IX. "The issue that we were facing from the beginning, and for several years, was a declining budget."
Watson said a plan was put in place to increase the support from alumni, corporate sponsors and friends of the university. But when, after four years, the athletic department was still losing money, it was time to take action.
"Frankly, our major fundraising, corporate sponsors, alumni or friends of the institution has not been sufficient to maintain 23 sports," Watson said. "That has been the issue from the beginning."
Even with a thorough explanation, some people will continue to think Title IX was a factor. But that doesn't bother athletic director Paul Lueken.
Following Slippery Rock University's decision to discontinue eight varsity sports, a common opinion, at least among the men's sports that got axed, was that Title IX had an influence over the decision.
To understand the reasoning behind these opinions, you first have to understand what Title IX is. To define it in simple terms, the act was established to give women equal opportunity to compete in collegiate sports, not by means of putting women on the wrestling or football teams, but by giving them the chance to have their own sports. Above that, the purpose was to first give women a chance to attend college.
After the university's sports cut decision, the number of men's varsity sports dipped from 12 teams to seven and the women's programs from 11 teams to eight. Freshman water polo player Sean Casella said he has good reason to believe the decision wasn't related to Title IX.
"They cut a lot of women's sports too," Casella said. "They said money issues were the reason."
Robert Watson, vice president of student life, said the university tried in vain to raise money to keep all 23 varsity sports active. But when it came down to the final decision, the lack of money, not Title IX, was the deciding factor.
"That was not part of our decision," Watson said of Title IX. "The issue that we were facing from the beginning, and for several years, was a declining budget."
Watson said a plan was put in place to increase the support from alumni, corporate sponsors and friends of the university. But when, after four years, the athletic department was still losing money, it was time to take action.
"Frankly, our major fundraising, corporate sponsors, alumni or friends of the institution has not been sufficient to maintain 23 sports," Watson said. "That has been the issue from the beginning."
Even with a thorough explanation, some people will continue to think Title IX was a factor. But that doesn't bother athletic director Paul Lueken.
