To those who seek reform of Title IX and are thinking about celebrating, you really need to put that champagne back in the case and even back in the closest. True, it was a good week with the discussion during the Philadelphia meetings of the Title IX Commission as well as the 60 Minutes report. However, this battle is nowhere near conclusion, and the most intense combat has not yet even started.    The battle over Title IX is just about to get ratcheted up to a level we have not yet seen before. The forces against change are about to unleash its fury, and if we are not prepared, the voice of reason may be overwhelmed within the public forum. If we are not careful, things could get worse, rather than better, for wrestling and the other Olympic sports.    Certainly, it was encouraging to see that many of the members of the Commission on Opportunities in Athletics seem to favor change. It was reflected in the variety of proposals suggested for the final report of the Commission. The final meeting is set for early January, when the Commissioners vote on the proposals and final instructions are given to staff. The completed document is set to be completed by the end of January.    The Commission members have finally played their cards. This group of respected leaders will ask the Department of Education to adjust the enforcement system for Title IX. Something new will be suggested. The backlash from this reality has already begun, and it will get louder and stronger with every passing day.    The articles in the press are already coming out. We've seen them in Newsday, the San Francisco Enquirer, on the Associated Press wire, the Miami Herald, even in college student newspapers. Many of these writers are expressing the viewpoints of the Women's Sports Foundation and other groups fighting against change. They are saying that the Bush Administration has already made up its mind to change the law, that the integrity of the process is flawed, that the wrestlers are fighting the wrong enemy, that Title IX is being weakened or even eliminated, and that the entire future of women's athletics is at risk if they do not get their way. The fear mongers are spreading their poison, and the often all too-liberal media is gobbling it up.    The inaccuracies are being spread to a wider audience. "They," whoever they are, continue to claim that men have gained during recent years in college athletics, a lie that was refuted during the Commission hearings but is still being spread as if it was gospel. They say that we are stealing the balls and bats directly from little girls' hands. They are calling those seeking reform everything from neanderthals to sexists to evil people. They are attacking me, and you, and those from other sports who are seeking relief. We are being demonized.    Perhaps the most dangerous article to date was published on Sunday, by Harvey Araton of the New York Times. Araton has suggested that Martha Burk of the National Council of Women's Organizations get involved and take on the Title IX cause. In case you have been living in a cave, just so you understand, Burk is the women's leader challenging the Augusta golf club, hosts of the Masters, to admit women members. It has been the largest story in the sports world this year. Araton suggests that the battle to change Title IX is even more important than Augusta, and actually suggested that those seeking reform are "Hootie Johnsons."    This article will not go away. The New York Times recently did not print two columns from their sports staff because of their content. Since then, these stories have been printed, but in an edited form. Araton's story was one of these columns. This story has already been spread throughout the journalist world. Nobody likes the idea of censorship. Everybody is going to go to the Times web page to read these stories. I know I did. Once I saw the AP story about how the Times refused to run the stories, I wanted to read them.     So, we can expect, perhaps, that Burk will throw the weight of her bully pulpit behind those seeking to protect the proportionality quota. That decision may have already been made. What would that do? First, because she took on Augusta, Burk can get attention from the press whenever she wants. Also, Burk represents over 100 women's organizations, not only a whos-who of radical feminist groups, but also many others that simply deal with issues involving women. Each of these groups have staff, board of directors, members and, more importantly, budgets, a combination of vast resources that can be placed behind the battle to protect the quota.    When I was attending the San Diego Title IX Commission hearings, the strength of our opponents became quite clear to me. Without a doubt, the audience was mostly female, mostly in support of proportionality, often stridently critical and angry. They came from all over the nation, and from every level of California life. The tone of the entire process had changed. In the first three hearings, the debate was balanced, with people on both sides of the issue getting a chance to debate. In San Diego, we saw some heavy hitters, from actress Geena Davis to NCAA boss Cedric Dempsey, to politicians and so-called "experts." Dr. Donna Lopiano, the leader of the quota defendants, forcefully  questioned the integrity of the panel process. In San Diego, on press row, I sat with J Robinson, head coach at the Univ. of Minnesota and a leader in the fight for change, and we marveled at these people in action.    I wondered at the time whether this was all planned. Did they decide right from the beginning to win the final hearing in San Diego as part of the overall strategy? Or were they panicking, because the proponents of change had done well in the first three hearings and probably won the Colorado Springs debate? Or is this the unique nature of California, a very liberal community? I am not sure that I will ever know, nor if it matters.     I was also speaking with a politically-savvy colleague who I respect, and we noted that there were so many people there from a well-entrenched Title IX cottage industry. It seemed like everybody that spoke at the open microphone was a "Title IX Consultant," or a "Gender Equity Specialist," or a "Chairperson of a Title IX Committee." These people and their jobs have become a part of every level of sports, education, politics and American life. They see a challenge to Title IX as a challenge to their career and their ability to feed their family. There is no doubt that they are motivated to defend the status quo with every ounce of their energy.    Kimberly Schuld, who previously worked at the Independent Women's Forum and testified as a panelist at the San Diego meeting, gave me her new book entitled "Guide to Feminist Organizations." Schuld has long been a leader seeking sanity in the Title IX debate. Her book lists tons of groups that work full-time to pursue the feminist agenda. Many of these groups will become unleashed in the Title IX debate if Burk gets involved. You can expect it.    We have not yet seen the power of the Women's Sports Foundation, either. This is a group that claims to represent all women and girl athletes and has a tremendous budget. The most important mission of this organization is defending and enforcing Title IX. In June, the Women's Sports Foundation posted on its webpage about the hundreds of thousands of dollars that it had recently spent defending Title IX. Now, six months later, how much do you think they have spent? This organization charges over $1,000 a plate just to attend their annual banquet. A friend of mine from the Olympic family made a comment that seems very true. The battle concerning Title IX has done the Women's Sports Foundation a major favor, by allowing them to beat the drum and expand their fundraising. They will have funding for a huge public relations campaign. You can bank on it.    We have not heard yet from all the media members who are expected to come out against change. Christine Brennan from USA Today, Sally Jenkins from the Washington Post and many other prominent journalists have yet to do their most recent take