Work Still Needed to Even Playing Field in Sport
June is an important month in the history of sports. Fifty years ago, Title IX was passed – giving women and girls a chance to play sports on a more even playing field. Hopefully you’ve read our social media posts celebrating women in West Michigan whose lives have been positively impacted by Title IX – you can also read their stories in our recent blog post.
Last week, the Michigan Task Force on Women in Sports commemorated the anniversary with the release of a report at a press conference after three years of research, documenting inequities for women and girls in Michigan athletics and outlining ways that all sectors can support women and girls in sports. This mighty committee of 14, chaired by Sec. of State Jocelyn Benson, includes a cross-section of Michigan’s sports industry – coaches, athletic directors, advocates and faculty.
Sec of State Jocelyn Benson kicks off Michigan Task Force on Women in Sports press conference releasing report findings, with task force reps in the background.
I had the privilege of representing West Michigan on the task force as one of three regional reps (GVSU Athletic Director Keri Becker and WMU’s retired Director of Collegiate Athletics Kathy Beauregard round out our West Michigan contingent). I also have a unique position as the only male member of the task force – offering a chance to learn more by listening yet also recognize my responsibility that I and other men in sports leadership have to use our positions to help open doors for girls and women in sports.
Among the Task Force’s findings was that increasing opportunities for girls and women in sport has far-reaching benefits in athletics and other sectors. Yet, even 50 years after Title IX became federal law, girls and women continue to receive fewer opportunities in sports. They encounter lower levels of investment, training resources, and safety assurances than their male counterparts – disparities that are further stratified by income and race – and when women succeed as professional athletes or work in university or professional sports, they often meet a glass ceiling and a substantial pay gap.
As Grand Valley State University Athletic Director Keri Becker said, "The 50th anniversary of Title IX is the perfect time to reflect on what's been accomplished and what work remains to be done for achieving gender equity. It is my hope that Grand Valley State University can serve as a model for others as we have worked to intentionally elevate women's sports, build inclusivity, and increase equity through several initiatives."
GVSU AD Keri Becker speaks at Michigan Task Force on Women in Sports press conference
The task force identified three main ways that various sectors can support women and girls in sports, including:
Modernizing and expanding Federal Title IX laws with increased protections, compliance and accountability. This can be done by recognizing educational institutions excelling in Title IX compliance and transparency; creating a required certification process that prevents and addresses Title IX concerns and mandates Title IX reviews and audits; and working with partners such as the MHSAA and other bodies to increase Title IX training for school administrators, coaches and athletes.
Investing in girls’ athletics as a pathway to leadership in sports and other industries. This can be done by educating stakeholders on gender bias and systemic barriers in sport as well as actionable solutions; earmarking state funding or using grants for local recreation centers to support initiatives toward gender equity and girl-specific, sport-related programming; identifying, connecting to and consulting with search firms that specialize in identifying women leaders and executives for sports organizations; and providing scholarships to incentivize and reward women with sports industry aspirations.
Encouraging Michiganders to support and invest in future opportunities and access for girls and women at all levels of sports by elevating the promotion and celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day in February throughout Michigan with coordinated events and activities; campaigning for more women to enter the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame; and highlighting and expanding opportunities for young women to learn about careers in sports through career days, workshops, and other programs.
As the task force’s report concluded, state and national research is clear – girls and women who play sports go on to become leaders in sports and beyond, and their leadership creates positive changes for our state, country and world. Girls and women also need equitable opportunities to participate in sports to become the leaders we need for Michigan. Title IX guarantees their rights to gender equity, but those rights need to be promoted and protected, and individuals and organizations with legal responsibilities need to be held accountable to ensuring them.
Click here to read the full report, and follow the task force’s web page for future updates and how to get involved.
Sports offer so many benefits to those who participate – let’s all get involved to even the playing field.
