Title IX

BSU, Title IX in The Northwoods

Beaver Track interferes with Title IX compliance

By:Jake Kelly and Zuzka Tomcikova


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            In recent years BSU has been under scrutiny from the NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association] for violating the Title IX policy. The men's track team made the man to woman ratio uneven. Because of that the NCAA would not fund the men's track program at BSU in accordance with the law. The law existent since 1972, states that an equal number of men and women athletes must be enrolled at BSU proportional to the student body. The purpose is to prevent discrimination among the sexes and incorporate an equal level of competition.

            The biggest issue in recent years with the compliance of the law was the men's track and field team, which was almost dropped. Brian Leonhardt, a thrower at BSU, said, "When i heard that track might be dropped my first thought was that I was going to transfer."

           However, because the NCAA was no longer provided financial support to the men's track team, fundraising was the only means to finance the program.  Due to that fund raising and outstanding community support, BSU was able to hang on to its men's track team. Beau Wakefield, a sprinter and receiver for the football team, said "I thought it was awesome when we raised enough money to keep the track team. It was great to see everyone working to keep something we love to do."         

 The biggest obstacle concerning Title IX at BSU is having enough female athletes to compensate for the football team, by far the largest roster of any other sport. Football accounts for almost twice as many athletes as any women sports team. Sara Levesque, Associate Athletic Director, said, "Football is our biggest issue but we're trying to keep the balance with the number of participants. We also require each sport to have a cap on the number of athletes it may carry."       

            The cap for the teams is concerning to some people who are on some of the more populated rosters such as football. The set cap requires cutting a few players every year. Beau Wakefield doesn't sound too concerned. "I'm not too worried about getting cut," he said," I've been on the team for a few years now and I feel I've proven that I belong here."

            Scott Christenson, a freshman, expresses his thoughts as well "I'm a little worried, i don't think I'll get cut but it always sits in the back of your mind that if you're not running or doing something right that your name could come up on the chopping block."

            BSU's Title IX compliance for this year is still under review. Levesque explained the process of maintaining eligibility. Every year an NCAA administrator reviews rosters for BSU athletics, financial aid, and gender equity among the student body. Once this person gets what they need there is a three week waiting process to see if the university complies.

            The steps that BSU took in making our athletic programs to better comply with Title IX. The BSU Title IX compliance committee is made up of our athletic directors, administrators and coaches who re-wrote the mission statement and various reports of BSU's sports teams. This will make The University's athletic programs more organized.

            Although the law is being followed Levesque explains the down side, "Even though it was great for women's athletics its down side is keeping the teams smaller and not letting everyone reach their full potential."


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