The Floor Was Warped

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The Floor Was Warped

• Women Athletes and MSU Athletics in the Title IX
  Era

Javier Pescador, MSU History Department Portia
Vescio, MSU Archives
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OVERVIEW

• NEW STATUS OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY
• WOMEN STRUGGLE FOR GENDER EQUALITY
• ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AUTONOMY
• EQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATION
• EQUAL ACCESS TO SPORTS PROGRAMS, TITLE IX-ERA
• PROFESSIONAL SPORTS
• TENNIS, BASKETBALL, SOCCER, GOLF

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HISTORY ANTECEDENTS

• 1963 EQUAL PAY ACT AND 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT
  INCLUDED WOMEN AS MINORITIES
• WOMEN LIBERATION MOVEMENT
• WOMEN ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
• WOMEN INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN THE LABOR MARKET
• ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE, DISCRETIONARY INCOME,
  LEISURE TIME.

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BOSTON MARATHON 1967

• BOSTON MARATHON, 1897, FIRST IN THE UNITED
  STATES, AFTER 1896 ATHENS OLYMPIC GAMES.
• APR.19, 1967 K.V. SWITZER REGISTERED FOR THE
  RACE. SYRACUSE UNIV.
• RACE JUDGE JOCK SEMPLE DQ HER
• SWITZER FINISHED THE RACE (420) DISPELLING MYTHS
  ABOUT FEMALE ATHLETES ENDURANCE/RESISTANCE.

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KATHRINE SWITZER, JOCK SEMPLE AND THOMAS MILLER,
BOSTON MARATHON, APR.19 1967. PHOTO BY HARRY
TRASKER OF BOSTON TRAVLER. AP/WIDEWORLD PHOTO.
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BOSTON INCIDENT LEGACY

• BOSTON MARATHON ADMITTED WOMEN 1972 RACE ON
• SWITZER RAN EIGHT TIMES IN THE BOSTON MARATHON
• SWITZER WON NEW YORK CITY MARATHON 1974.
• AVON INTERNATIONAL RUNNING CIRCUIT
• WOMEN ACCEPTED IN OLYMPIC GAMES MARATHON
• WOMENS RUNNING REVOLUTION

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PROFESSIONAL TENNIS

• BILLIE JEAN KING, 1960s-1970s
• WORKING CLASS FAMILY IN CALIFORNIA.
• TOURNAMENT PRIZES FOR WOMEN 10 PRIZES FOR MEN IN
  OPEN TENNIS
• VIRGINIA SLIMS CIRCUIT FORMED 1971
• KING, FIRST PROF. FEM. ATHLETE EARNING 100,000
  1971

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BATTLE OF THE SEXES

• BOBBY RIGGS, WIMBLEDON CHAMPION 1939 WOMEN
  INFERIOR TO MEN, THUS EQUAL PAY OVERPAID,
  RIGGS BETTER THAN ANY PRO WOMAN
• RIGGS CHALLENGED KING
• RIGGS DEFEATED MARGARET COURT
• BATTLE OF THE SEXES HOUSTON ASTRODOME, 30,000
  FANS LARGEST ATT IN TENNIS EVER, 1973.

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BATTLE OF THE SEXES IMPACT

• BOXING MATCH STYLE ADDITIONAL 100,000 PURSE TO
  WINNER
• MEDIA HYPE, RIGGS OLD SCHOOL vs KINGS RADICAL
  FEMINIST
• TV SUCCESS, HIGHEST RATINGS FOR TENNIS
  BROADCASTING EVER
• WOMEN TENNIS STANDARD FEATURE IN TV, CHRIS EVERT
  SUPERSTAR ATHLETE
• EQUITY IN PAY UNDISPUTED
• WHO WON?

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TITLE IX ERA

• 1964 TITLE VII CIVIL RIGHTS ACT PROHIBITS
  DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT BASED ON RACE, SEX,
  NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR RELIGION.
• 1966 COMMISSION FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS FOR
  WOMEN CREATED
• 1966 FOUNDATION OF NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN

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TITLE IX ERA

• 1971 UNITED STATES CONGRESS HEARINGS ON SEX
  DISCRIMINATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION
• 1971 ASSOCIATION FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
  FOR WOMEN (AIAW) FOUNDATION
• 1972 EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT PASSES IN U.S.
  CONGRESS
• 1972 PRESIDENT NIXON SIGNS TITLE IX INTO LAW

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TITLE IX-ERA

• 1972 EDUCATIONAL AMENDMENTS ACT, SEXUAL
  DISCRIMINATION NO PERSON, ON THE BASIS OF SEX,
  SHOULD BE DENIED THE BENEFITS OF, OR BE
  DISCRIMINATED UNDER ANY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OR
  ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FUNDING
• PROHIBITED IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND
  COLLEGE/UNIVERSITIES WITH FEDERAL FUNDING
• 1973 BAN ON ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WOMEN
  OUTLAWED

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TITLE IX ERA

• 1975 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION AND
  WELFARE, ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR TITLE IX
  IMPLEMENTATION
• 1978 TITLE IX MANDATORY COMPLIANCE FOR ALL HIGH
  SCHOOLS AND POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS.
• 1979 U.S. DEPT. HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE
  ADDS ATHLETICS INTO INTERPRETATION OF TITLE IX

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TITLE IX

• UNIVERSITIES AND SCHOOLS SHOULD OFFER THE SAME
  NUMBER OF SPORTS FOR WOMEN AND MEN
• WOMENS AND MENS PROGRAMS WITH FUNDING
  PROPORTIONATE TO THE RATIO OF FEMALE/MALE
  ATHLETES
• 1970S RATIOS BIG TEN 1/1300, WASH STATE 1
  ATHLETIC BUDGET FOR WOMEN PROGRAMS

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REACTIONS TO TITLE IX

• NCAA STRONGEST OPPOSITION
• FOOTBALL BASKETBALL PROGRAMS, ATHLETIC
  DEPARTMENTS, STRONG OPPOSITION.
• 1974-1979 LEGAL ATTEMPTS TO REVERSE OR NULLIFY
  TITLE IX APPLICATION TO COLLEGE SPORTS.
• NCAA LEGAL ATTEMPTS FAILED, 1980 CHANGED STRATEGY
• 1981-82 NCAA WOMEN NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS, 16 OF
  POSITIONS TO WOMEN.
• 1984 AIAW DISAPPEARED

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LEGAL REACTIONS

• 1975 TOWER AMENDMENT, EXEMPTING REVENUE-SPORTS
  FROM TITLE IX
• 1984 GROVE CITY COLLEGE vs BELL NON-FEDERAL
  FUNDED PROGRAMS NOT INCLUDED IN TITLE IX
• 1988 CIVIL RIGHTS RESTORATION ACT SCHOOLS
  ORDERED TO ELIMINATE GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN ALL
  THEIR PROGRAMS, INCLUDING ATHLETICS DEPARTMENTS

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COLLEGE PARTICIPATION

• 1992 34 COLLEGE ATHLETES WOMEN
• INTERCOLL. SPORTS 1970s 16,000, 1980s 160 000
  WOMEN ATHLETES
• H.S. WOMEN 1/3 ATHLETES
• NOT A SINGLE SCHOOL HAS MET YET GENDER EQUITY
  STANDARDS
• WOMEN COACHES DECREASED AS TEAM SPORTS TURNED
  COMPETITIVE BEFORE TITLE IX 90 FEM AFTER 50

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TITLE IX IMPACT

• PERSISTENCE OF STRONG GENDER INEQUALITIES IN
  COLLEGE SPORTS, FAILURE TO END GENDER
  DISCRIMINATION IN COLLEGE SPORTS
• FAILURE TO REVERSE TRADITIONAL PATTERNS OF
  DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT
• SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF WOMENS PARTICIPATION IN
  COMPETITIVE TEAM SPORTS
• CREATION OF VENUES FOR NEW WOMENS PROFESSIONAL
  SPORTS

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TITLE IX AND MSU SPORTS Karen Langeland, MSU
Womens Basketball Coach, 1976-2000
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Conditions of Title IX Implementation

• After the law was passed schools had to comply
  with at least one of the following requirements
• Schools must provide athletic opportunities that
  are proportionate to student enrollment
• They must demonstrate a continual expansion of
  athletic opportunities for the underrepresented
  gender
• A full and effective accommodation of the
  interest and ability of the underrepresented
  gender must be present

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On July 21, 1976, MSU conducted a
Self-Evaluation as Required by Title IX of The
Education Amendments of 1972
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1976 MSU Self-Evaluation Report Findings

• They believed that changes were needed if they
  expected to make it work under Title IX
• Committee concluded that facilities for both
  mens and womens sports are adequate and of
  comparable quality
• They recommended that 130,000 be spent towards
  the womens budget and improving their facilities
• They also recommended that new positions be
  created to carry out Title IX
• Director of Athletics, 3 Assistant Directors, and
  the Affirmative Action Committee

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On April 15, 1978 the members of MSU womens
basketball team unanimously agreed to file a
complaint against MSU Athletic department for
gross violations of the regulations of Title IX
Education Amendments of 1972
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Early Women on Campus

• Early agriculture curriculum not of interest to
  women
• First women students entered 1870
• Main problem was housing women students

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Early Womens Athletics

• 1888 Women regular members of tennis club
• Competed in field days in tennis from 1896
• Early womens sports fencing, pistol, field
  hockey, and swimming

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Athletics in Curriculum

• Womens Course begins in 1896 women admitted as
  regular students
• Womens Building (Morrill Hall) included a
  gymnasium so women could exercise
• Calisthenics part of curriculum for womens
  course

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Womens Athletic Association

• Organized in 1924 by Helen Grimes, director of
  physical education
• Oversaw competition between the classes in
  baseball, field hockey, soccer, basketball,
  volleyball, and rifle
• By 1926 had a membership of 100 athletes
• Co-eds had to follow certain rules
• Sleep 8 hours per night one cup of coffee per
  day, no smoking
• Source M.S.C. Record, November 1926

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Womens sports 30s 40s

• Intramurals consisted of about 20 different
  sports
• WAA joined the Athletic Federation of College
  Women
• Womens program expands around WWII with
  decreased male population

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Womens Sports 50s 60s

• In 1962 Carol Harding (MSU) was hired as the
  first full-time Director of Womens Intramural
  Sports in the Big Ten Conference
• Womens intramural teams competed on a state and
  even national levels
• Money was issue fundraising consisted of bake
  sales and garage sales
• Officiating done by classes, when possible

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Title IX Suit

• April 25, 1978 Womens basketball team members
  filed Title IX Complaint
• Facilities competition, training, and practice
• Scheduling
• Travel
• Equipment, supplied and uniforms
• Coachs pay and job status
• Academic assistance
• Athletic scholarships

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Scholarship comparison

• Women

• Men

• In 1976, first athletic scholarship money awarded
  - 3000 for basketball team

• In 1976, 14 players received full scholarships
  approx 31,000

• Tuition and Board in 1976
• In State - 2400
• Out of State - 3500

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Coaching comparison

• Womens varsity team has one coach, assisted by
  j-v coach
• Womens coaches are graduate students who must
  teach and pursue degree in addition to coaching
• Mens varsity team have head coach plus two
  assistants. Mens j-v has own coach.
• Mens coaches do not have to teach

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12 points of the suit

• Safety
• No physician in attendance at games
• Practiced played on a dirty floor with
• Fixtures protruding from it
• Health
• 4. Lower per diem food allowance
• 5. Gym was too cold and regulation of temperature
  was not possible

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12 points, cont.

• Fairness
• Only one pair of shoes per player
• Practiced played on warped gym floor
• Provided transportation to away games by car or
  bus, sometimes up to 11 hours
• No provision of laundry for uniforms
• Not provided housing or food during winter
  holiday practice

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12 points, cont.

• Fairness, cont.
• 11. Provided no training table
• 12. Forced to sleep 4 players to a room, 2 per
  bed on trips to away games

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Nell Jacksons Assessment 1975

• Unable to provide adequate practice uniforms
• Unable to provide sufficient equipment
• Teams forced to stay in 2nd rate hotels due to
  budget constraints
• Large groups forced to travel in station wagons
  and cars instead of buses
• Inadequate practice space for basketball and
  volleyball teams when seasons overlap

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MSUs Preliminary Response

• Playing conditions in Mens IM would be improved
• An Affirmative Action Committee appointed to
  review problems and suggest solutions
• Investigate student manager program for womens
  teams
• Under any compliance review, more dollars will
  be required for womens athletics. The question
  is one of magnitude.

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Specific Immediate Outcomes

• MSU did work on conditions in Mens IM
• Women provided housing during holidays
• MSU agreed to pay womens team equal per diem to
  mens team
• Coach Karen Langeland unaffected by suit
• Continued to coach until 2000 when voluntarily
  stepped down

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Legacy of Title IX

• 1980 Women given Varsity letters for first time
• 2001 Men Gymnastics team is cut men protest
• 2002 Over 300 former women athletes awarded
  Varsity letters
• In 2002, mens athletics received 67 of the
  athletics budget and 72 of the recruiting budget

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2001 Gymnastics Protest
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CLASS ASSIGNMENT

• USING THE EXAMPLES OF WNBA , NCAA AND
  PROFESSIONAL TENNIS PLAYERS, COMPARE THE
  TREATMENT WOMEN ATHLETES RECEIVE FROM THE MEDIA
  WITH THE COVERAGE GIVEN TO THEIR MALE
  COUNTERPARTS IN THE NCAA, NBA AND PRO-TENNIS
  RESPECTIVELY. PROVIDE CONCRETE EXAMPLES TO
  SUPPORT YOUR ARGUMENT.