Olympic sports community asked to call the White House this week, to tell President Bush his Title I
<< Back to Articles
Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
07/22/2003
USA Wrestling is working with the College Sports Council and other Olympic sports organizations on a campaign to flood the White House with calls during the week of July 22-28. Athletes, coaches, parents, fans and others who support fair sports opportunities for all are asked to call the White House comment line this week at 202-456-1111. Those with cell phones that have long distance plans are asked to spend a few of their free minutes by making a phone call to support wrestling and other Olympic sports. Tell President Bush that you are upset with his decision concerning Title IX, and his lack of leadership and character in fixing the problems with proportionality. On July 11, the Office of Civil Rights announced a new Clarification letter concerning Title IX enforcement in sports. Basically, the administration left the current three-part test completely unchanged, including the controversial proportionality quota. By making no changes, the current trend of eliminating men's Olympic sports opportunities will move forward into the future. College sports opportunities for wrestling, swimming, track and field, gymnastics, baseball and other sports for men could be extinct unless there are changes made to the interpretation of the law. COLLEGE SPORTS COUNCIL TALKING POINTS 1. You support Title IX as it was originally written. 2. Proportionality has created a quota system in college sports. 3. The three part test doesn't work because schools rely only on proportionality. 4. We will continue to see the unnecessary elimination of opportunities for men to participate in college sports. Now is the time that those who wish to protect Olympic sports must be heard. The Bush Administration needs to know that people are watching their actions concerning Title IX and proportionality and that reform is needed. Once you have called the White House, please ask others that you know to do the same. The goal is to make sure that President Bush knows that there is a large and active group of people who willl continue to fight for the elimination of the proportionality quota. Call the White House Comment Line at 202-456-1111 and let your voice be heard!