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Sexism On The Athletic Filed

Sexism On The Athletic Filed image
Parent Issue
Day
20
Month
June
Year
1975
OCR Text

Women's sports got a boost earlier this month as an executive order went into effect requiring schools which receive federal funds to equalize athletic facilities for both sexes. While stopping short of demanding the same spending on all sports, the order will mean funding for most women's inter-school sports, and will bring about more mixed sports. But in most schools, football will probably still get more money...In sports outside schools, females are again running into obstacles. This time, its the Romulus Little League with a rule requiring all players wear a protective jock strap. One young woman who has refused is now fighting it out in court after being benched for breaking the rule. Nancy Winnard and her parents contend this is a subtle means of discrimination meant to circumvent Federal Court rulings ending sex discrimination in the Little League and embarass the girls.

Women at the University of Michigan were the victors in a battle between coaches and the Board in Control of Intercollegiate Athletics. A move to grant women the block letter "M" for outstanding achievement passed over the objections of football coach Bo Schembechler and basketball coach John Orr. Orr claimed "The levels of performance that a man has to exhibit [to receive the 'M' award] are far above those of women." Schembechler went even further,declaring,"If [this plan] comes to pass, it will minimize the value of the 'M' in the eyes of not only our players, but the public who place such a high value on it."

The coaches had the backing of at least one former Michigan jock, who wrote the Board that he would return his "M" if women were able to earn it. It just wouldn't mean the same thing, he claimed And Athletic Director Don Canham prevented any advance publicity which might have helped the women's efforts by threatening the Michigan Daily with excommunication should. it write anything before the vote. The Daily sports' staff, fearing the loss of Canham's cooperation, went along with his threat.

Despite the odds, the Board voted by a whopping 14-1 that women deserved the recognition of the "M."