National Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA News Archive - 2000
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Opinions
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Mary Frances O'Shea, coordinator of Title IX issues Office for Civil Rights
Chronicle of Higher Education
Discussing methods by which NCAA schools can be in compliance with Title IX:
"We don't push schools in any particular direction. Schools legitimately have a choice of how they want to come into compliance, but OCR works with schools to help them find ways to come into compliance without cutting sports opportunities for men."
Leo Kocher, wrestling coach
University of Chicago
Chicago Tribune
Discussing the elimination of men's teams to accommodate gender-equity goals:
"Males are getting punished for their interest in sports. This is not providing equal opportunity, it is dictating equal outcomes."
Christine Brennan, USA Today columnist
Portland Press Herald
Discussing media coverage of women's sports:
"I think we're doing a poor job of covering women's sports, especially at a time when most of our circulations are dropping and women and girls are potential new readers for our sports sections."
Thomas Granata, clinical psychologist
The Fresno Bee
Discussing the stereotypes and conflicts in the appearance of female athletes:
"Our culture teaches women that they are supposed to be thin, small, and have skinny legs, and that is contrary to athletics. In athletics, you're suppose to have muscle tone and be strong. Female athletes worry that they are too heavy, that they don't have enough shape, that they are too square. I've found that more with softball players than with tennis players and divers. ...
"The message that we need to send to young female athletes is that a healthy athletic build is attractive. I think we are moving in that direction. Because more women are involved in sports than ever before, and they are getting more coverage. But I think we've got a long way to go."
Basketball recruiting
Robert Bowlsby, director of athletics
University of Iowa
Associated Press
"For the most part, coaches ought to be able to do the research to learn what kids are about, who their contacts are and what they're involved in. The greater the extent of the relationship when the offer of a scholarship is extended, the better likelihood there is you'll know what the kid has been up to, who he was coached by and what organizations had a role in his life. It's a matter of doing the diligence in advance as much as anything else."
Academic standards
Robert Kanaby, executive director
National Federation of State High School Associations
NFHS News
Discussing rigorous academic standards for high-school athletics participants:
"I favor a strenuous academic preparation program for all young people, but I am concerned if such standards are set for (athletics) participants with no plans set for support that will ensure successful completion. Some students can do no better than a D. There must be some provision, as well as support study groups, for students who may need help. Without that component, I am very much against the program for high-school students. It sends the message to students that sports and activities are more important than a high-school diploma, for which there is no C average required."
Dan Salzwedel, executive director
New Mexico Activities Association
NFHS News
"Rules aren't worth anything unless there are consequences to the rule. Kids are never going to value (the rules) unless there is a rule to begin with. Students are going to put on whatever hat you put on them. If you expect more, you will get more. Wins and losses are a small part of success; teaching values is what builds good character."