Guest Editorial by Ted Witulski - Toeing the Party Line on Title IX
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Ted Witulski ()
05/01/2003
Recently the NCAA held in San Diego what can only be termed as a dog and pony show for the obstructionists of reform for Title IX. For two days the NCAA gave a platform to those that see no harm in lost opportunities for men's Olympic sports. They lined up behind the slogan for the seminar "listen, learn, and be heard." Truth be told the people in attendance are far from ready to listen; they are much more interested in being heard. Regardless, of the fact that Title IX's interpretation has been steered far off course from its original and well-meaning intention. Although I was not in attendance the accounts sound as though the slogan should have been "Be heard, we don't need to listen or learn." Narrow-minded motives have really become the battle-cry for the opponents of any reform to Title IX. Their heels are dug in and rationalism is not an alternative. The disconcerting point was that the NCAA has no longer taken a mainstream view of representing all the members of its institutions. Case in point was the man at the top, Myles Brand, President of the NCAA. As he launched into his speech he noted, "These are perilous times. The future of Title IX is uncertain." No mention of the countless programs lost, the scholarships cut, and the opportunities lost for male athletes nationally. The wrestling community has long been the voice crying in the wilderness, as sport after sport saw program after program destroyed. Maybe it's the warrior spirit instilled in our athletes, but across the nation wrestlers have organized and stood by a position based on concrete justice and fairness while others have obfuscated the truth. Myles Brand's position was cut from the same cloth of our antagonists as he singled out the wrestling community, the sport that just wouldn't get along and go a long. He pointed his finger to stick the wrestling community's eye as he grabbed a quote from one of our own. Dr. Peter Likens, a recognized Outstanding American by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame was referenced. According to Brand, he was saddened by the loss of wrestling programs in the states, but he assigned blame to the male leadership of the sport not Title IX. The words were meant for impact. They were meant to sting. One of our own, one of our most decorated had turned tail and run. When I first read this my thoughts were immediate. Dr. Likens should be called on to explain himself. Did he really mean what he said? Did he actually stand by his blanket assessment of wrestling in the United States? My jaw tightened as I thought how could this person, this wrestler, not stand in support of the sport that undoubtedly built him into the person he is. More punitive thoughts came to mind---can someone be drummed out of the Wrestling Hall of Fame? As quickly as my thoughts raced on the Dr. Likens ammunition fired by President Brand, a calmer and enlightened focus returned---a focus learned from the sport of wrestling. I don't know Dr. Likens and to be honest when I recite Outstanding Americans that wrestled he isn't a part of my litany. But, in no way do I doubt the success in his skills or the worthiness of this honor bestowed on him. I'm certain that he earned the wrestling community's respect. What made me recoil was that I almost fell for it. President Brand and his ilk wanted us to bite on this. But we shouldn't. It would be easy for the wrestling community to become engaged in fratricide. We could demand Dr. Likens apologize. We could demand that he toe the party line. We could demand that he join us on the bandwagon of reform. This, however, would be a clear failure of what we've worked so hard for. While our opponent's in this political battle have barricaded themselves behind a position of extremism, the wrestling community and other embattled sports have comfortably and quietly laid claim to the middle ground. Certainly, we could have latched on to untenable positions; instead, though we accepted rationalism and reality. Title IX is an important law with an important purpose. In its thirty years of existence good things have come about for women in the realm of sports. The truth that the Title IX lobby now tries to hide from the masses is that the interpretation of the law has been high jacked. Title IX, more specifically proportionality, has become a chopping block for opportunity for athletes across the country. And, it's time for reform. The wrestling community and other minor men's sports seek to rectify this egregious error. We aren't extremists and we aren't reactionaries, and we don't wish to return to systemic sexism. We have offered alternatives and solutions. We have been ignored. We have embraced women's wrestling and the NCAA has refused to recognize it as an emerging sport. And, in an irony of gender bias it and the women's lobby have embraced more fitting womanly pursuits like synchronized swimming and precision ice skating. When Donna DeVarona or Julie Foudy seemed to move away from behind the barricades to discuss reasonable alternatives as the Title IX Commission did its work, they were quickly shamed back in line. They were reeducated in a way that would make Chairman Mao proud. Then, they returned "reawakened" and ready to toe the party line. It's unfortunate that our adversaries have tried to muddy the waters so often. They have resorted to personal attack and name-calling, looking to hang the label of misogynist on anyone challenging the golden calf of Title IX. We've stood by our position. We've taken the truth to the streets and to the masses. Title IX doesn't need scrapped, and we don't look to take a sledgehammer to opportunity for women. However, we recognize that even the best running cars, eventually need a tune-up. It's obvious that there have been "hidden" and detrimental effects to the current interpretation of Title IX and we no longer will let the country ignore it. So, don't be surprised that the NCAA has lost its rational way. Don't be shocked that we must continue organizing and taking the truth to streets as the Title IX machine runs roughshod over the painful disenfranchisement of minor men's sports. Our opponents will try to steer us off course. The message is the truth, and that is why the seeds have taken root. Opportunity is for all, past problems will not be solved with the vendetta mindset of the women's lobby. We seek common ground, but that must be middle ground.