Increasing Equity & Title IX
Women’s Sports During the 1970’s at Baylor University
Title IX and women’s sports was a hot issue at Baylor University in the 1970’s. Title IX was enacted in 1972 by President Nixon, with the deadline for compliance being July 1978 (Pogue Library, Martin Leath Papers, Box 268, File 5). The pressure of equal funding and opportunity led to intense debate among administrators, students, and feminist figures, as illustrated through the student newspaper, the Baylor Lariat. Administrators feared that equal funding would lead to financial problems for male sports, while students and feminist figure Gloria Steinman argued that sports equity is necessary considering the Christian mission of Baylor.
Increasing Equity & Title IX
In this February 27th, 1976 Lariat article, Baylor president Abner McCall expressed his concern that the passage of the Title IX act could end college sports. McCall predicted this outcome when he stated, “not as many women want to participate as do men… the competitive instinct is manifested more strongly in men.” McCall argued that the equal opportunity of men and women sports is not possible due to the lack of desire of women to play sports which in turn
would lead to men’s sports being cut. McCall also notes that he would rather deny federal funding, thus stopping the federal work study program, than enacting Title IX. Other Baylor officials, such as David Taylor who was the assistant athletic director, made statements against Title IX as well. Taylor petitioned to congressman Martin Leath regarding Title IX and equity in women’s sports and how Title IX would be detrimental to the university’s athletics (Pogue Library, Martin Leath Papers, Box 268, File 5). Overall, the Baylor administrative view of Title IX legislation and sports equality was overwhelmingly negative.
In this letter to the editor in the March 2nd, 1976 edition of the Baylor Lariat, student Lea Anne Henry responds to President McCall’s statements on Title IX and women’s athletics. Henry argues that women are interested in sports and would participate if given the ability to. Henry states, “I think it is about time that the administration faces the fact that women can and do compete.” Henry’s argument represents a student view, which is not universal, but is important as it describes the viewpoint of those impacted by the Title IX legislation.
In this March, 1977 Lariat article, Gloria Steinman discusses Title IX and sports equality on Baylor’s campus. As part of Women’s day at Baylor, feminist advocate Gloria Steinman spoke at Baylor’s campus. Within her time on campus, Steinman spoke of the importance of Title IX and sports equity. Steinman stated, “If women athletes were given the same time, money, and public relations, attendance at women’s competition might surprise most people. It seems terribly unfair, especially at a Christian school like Baylor, that the money changers at the temple are not willing to share some of their 50 cents with those who can earn only 20 cents.” Steinman’s thoughts on Title IX directly responds to President McCall’s argument that women’s sports are less desirable and also points to the Christian mission of Baylor.