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Washington Post Readers Speak Out on Title IX

Whoa, Nellie! Title IX isn't the problem. The bloated, overfunded and overstaffed Division I football programs are the problem. Cut football scholarships to 45, reduce coaching staffs to five (do the tight ends really need their own coach?), put the savings in Title IX and the "problem" is solved.

Rory Quirk, Washington

With the ever increasing enrollment percentage of women at colleges and universities, the "proportionality" doctrine seems to offer only two options: raising more money to fund additional women's programs or decreasing the number of men's programs. There is a third option, however: decrease the number of women admitted to the institution.

Rick Meyer, Falls Church

Title IX is a positive. It has increased opportunities for half of our country's population who are now more involved in sport. This has economic, intellectual and social benefits that contribute to an advancing culture. We met our obligation to women's suffrage years ago. Title IX is another necessary step.

Michael Johnson (Brown University, Class of 1984), Fairfax

I support gender equity in college athletics. Men and women should have exactly the same number of athletic scholarships. That number is zero. Players on any team that generates significant revenue should be paid a salary. The "non-revenue" sports should be offered strictly as extra-curricular activities.

Peter Wolfe, Seabrook

The Supreme Court's ruling on Title IX finally brought home the truth that women who play sports have long known: sports is about more than money. Sports teach discipline, teamwork, ambition and a sense of one's self and one's potential. Football will survive; give the girls their due.

Melissa Merrill, Washington

The theory of "proportionality" should be revised to make the percentage of women participating in varsity athletic programs consistent with percentage of total revenue these women's athletic programs generate for the school's overall athletic department budget.

Oliver Devine, Ashburn

My daughter attended an Episcopal high school that received no federal funds. She benefited greatly from playing field hockey and managing the boys baseball team without the benefit of Title IX. Student athletes and the economics of specific team sports need greater priority than the demands of politicians.

Richard A. Eckert, Vienna

Men's athletics is a spoiled, pouting child that has always taken more than its share of the financial pie, one subsidized by both female and male taxes and tuitions. Schools have a responsibility to be moral leaders. Do what is right. Win-win is possible. Tighten your belts, shift funds, raise money, lead the fight against any kind of discrimination.

Beth Madeline Ennis, Bethesda

The court approved eliminating men's sports to equalize ratios of participation. That's not the same as increasing opportunities for women. It's more like achieving racial quotas in a company by firing existing employees. Sports with long traditions, wrestling and gymnastics in particular, may be completely eliminated from scholastic competition.

Bob Christin, Washington

Title IX is essential. Women must be given equal access to competitive sports, as they deserve to reap the same long-term benefits of sports participation that men have enjoyed for years. I am forever grateful for the opportunities Title IX allowed me. The next generation should have the same opportunities.

Joanne Finocchiaro Marshall, Arlington

There is nothing wrong with schools having men and women's athletic programs based upon the percentage of males and females at the school. However, don't change the athletic program just to fit the numbers. Change it to fit the demand and interest of the students.

Gregory M. Spivak, Potomac

Title IX opponents argue that its implementation jeopardizes college football. The University of Maryland has, since the departure of Bobby Ross, proven that not only is there life after football, but that successes in women's field hockey and synchronized swimming programs more than offsets the effect of its demise.

Joseph D. Yoshpe, Seabrook