Title IX and Financing Intercollegiate Athletics

Abstract

Title IX requires equal opportunity in all educational programs including athletics. Despite legal challenges, institutional resistance, and governmental actions, the requirements of Title IX remain and compliance with these continues to challenge athletic administrators. Using the Equity in Athletics Data Analysis Cutting Tool (2011), gender comparisons were made for 2003-2004, 2005-2006, 2007-2008, and 2009-2010 among the competitive subdivisions in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Over this six-year period in Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS; formerly Division I-A) institutions, females' participation opportunities, receipt of grants-in-aid, funding for recruiting, and operating expenses remained largely unchanged and at a level less than fully compliant with Title IX. While FBS institutions over the six years offered more participation opportunities and grants-in-aid to female athletes than did institutions competing in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) and in Divisions II and III (excluding grants-in-aid) with football teams, female athletes in these lower competitive levels fared slightly better in the amount of financial support received for recruiting and operations. Female athletes across the six years and in all four comparative areas fared much better in institutions over all three divisions that do not offer football. These findings provide evidence that institutions have not yet fully complied with Title IX.