NCAA taking Title IX too far
Here's something that all sports fans should be aware of. And a lot you out there probably don't care about anything concerning women's sports, but I'm going to make you care.
Every women's college basketball program across the country has something in common. They all use men as practice players. The men are usually students who couldn't make the men's hoops team. Sometimes even in-shape professors join the mix. All of them are a vital part of any successful women's team because the men are usually bigger, stronger and faster than the women, which ultimately helps the women compete come game day.
But get this. Last week the NCAA's Committee on Women's Athletics proposed a ban on the use of male practice players in women's intercollegiate athletics. And do you know why? Because the CWA says men are taking away opportunities away from women to participate in practice.
I can speak from firsthand experience on this one because I spent a lot of time on the sidelines during scrimmages - scrimmages in which a guy played my role against the first string.
Truth be told, I would have preferred to actually run with the first string rather than watch a bunch of guys do it instead.
But the guys made our team better. It's hard to simulate game competition in practice, but men help in that because they're not afraid to bang around on the boards or try and pick a point guard's pocket.
Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt has one rule for the men practicing against her hoops team: On a fast break, never go strong to the hole. Always take a pull up jumper. That's because the men and women go so hard agaist each, that's the one play where both players could get injured.
So what do these guys get for the hours they put into practicing with the team? Nothing. Well, maybe they'll get a pair of shorts or, if they're lucky. Beyond that, there aren't any perks. Other than making a women's team better.
Title IX is the primary reason for the CWA's uproar and I think this is an example of taking the legislation too far. Almost to the point of abusing it. Show me a study that having men in practice negatively impacts the 12th woman on a roster and then I'll listen. Leave Title IX out of this until you've done your research.
So as a former 12th woman on Div. 1 roster, I say leave the guys alone. They're improving women's sports with every box out and hard pick.
Every women's college basketball program across the country has something in common. They all use men as practice players. The men are usually students who couldn't make the men's hoops team. Sometimes even in-shape professors join the mix. All of them are a vital part of any successful women's team because the men are usually bigger, stronger and faster than the women, which ultimately helps the women compete come game day.
But get this. Last week the NCAA's Committee on Women's Athletics proposed a ban on the use of male practice players in women's intercollegiate athletics. And do you know why? Because the CWA says men are taking away opportunities away from women to participate in practice.
I can speak from firsthand experience on this one because I spent a lot of time on the sidelines during scrimmages - scrimmages in which a guy played my role against the first string.
Truth be told, I would have preferred to actually run with the first string rather than watch a bunch of guys do it instead.
But the guys made our team better. It's hard to simulate game competition in practice, but men help in that because they're not afraid to bang around on the boards or try and pick a point guard's pocket.
Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt has one rule for the men practicing against her hoops team: On a fast break, never go strong to the hole. Always take a pull up jumper. That's because the men and women go so hard agaist each, that's the one play where both players could get injured.
So what do these guys get for the hours they put into practicing with the team? Nothing. Well, maybe they'll get a pair of shorts or, if they're lucky. Beyond that, there aren't any perks. Other than making a women's team better.
Title IX is the primary reason for the CWA's uproar and I think this is an example of taking the legislation too far. Almost to the point of abusing it. Show me a study that having men in practice negatively impacts the 12th woman on a roster and then I'll listen. Leave Title IX out of this until you've done your research.
So as a former 12th woman on Div. 1 roster, I say leave the guys alone. They're improving women's sports with every box out and hard pick.
posted by LynnieO at 8:59 AM
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