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Show SHOULD THE DAVIS COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD SANCTION GIRLS' SOCCER AND SOFTBALL? By DEBBIE PEEL Girls' Athletics Coach Woods Cross High School Title IX is the law passed in 1972 that makes sex discrimination illegal in all educational institutions that receive federal funds. The law prohibits discrimination in several areas. They are: general admissions, counseling, selection of courses, financial aid, housing, dining and other campus facilities; facili-ties; scholarships, student health and insurance benefits, athletic programs and recruitment, vocational education and employment. The section of Title IX calling for equal opportunity in athletics has by far stirred the greatest controversy. Basically what Title IX says about student stu-dent athletes is that an institution that receives federal funds must provide a selection of sports and a level of competition that effectively accommodates accom-modates the interests and abilities of members of both sexes. Two weeks ago the Utah High School Activities Association's legislative legisla-tive council reluctantly approved girls' soccer and sofiball as statewide sports. I feel this decision is long overdue for the girls in this state. The sad thing about this is that it took the threat of a lawsuit against six northern Utah school districts to open the doors for the girls to have the same opportunity oppor-tunity boys have had for years. It is true that the girls have the opportunity to participate in UHSAA sanctioned sports such as tennis, volleyball, swimming, basketball and track and field, but the fact remains that even those programs do not fill the . needs of all of the girls who wish to participate in some kind of organized sport at the high school lcvcL , Utah has always been recognized, as having strong Jr. Olympic age soft-hflU soft-hflU programs (j q. pnnnct Rail, etc.) for girls and Little League baseball for boys.'Thia prograrh has helped devcldp sortie vbry Ting baseball players who have gone on througH"three years of exciting opportunities in high school. Unfortunately for the girls, their programs are limited to summer leagues only. ' -; The same thing has happened in the youth soccer programs. Boys and girls were having equal opportunities to play this sport until they reached high school age. At this point, the boys were channeled into some excellent high school programs and the girls were still playing in community recreation recrea-tion programs. , , .. Schools have a responsibility to prepare young people to function both within and outside their own community. Boys and girls need to function as effective adults. Sports programs Can be one of the best learning laboratories labora-tories for. teaching girls and boys about life, The lessons that are learned through sports are critical for all of society. A recent study by the Womens Sports Foundation stated that characteristics characteris-tics such as determination, leadership, independence, poise and self confidence confi-dence are far more likely to develop in teenage girls who participate in sports than in those who do not Eighty-seven percent of moms and dads accept the idea that sports are equally important for girls and boys. I agree that adding two new programs to the UHS AA agenda will create some problems, both financially and in terms of facilities. But the fact re-, mains that the opportunities for the girls should not be decided on the financial fi-nancial cost or on the threat of a federal investigation. Sex equity laws are an opportunity for all students to be able to take advantage ofihe benefits .of a diverse and well-rounded educational system. Financially, if a school system is willing to spend $6000-$7000 yearly to fund a baseball and soccer program for boys merely because the long range benefits of participation and character growth outweigh the cost of the program, pro-gram, shouldn't the same personal growth opportunities be there for the girls?' ' I believe- the decision to add girls' soccer and sofiball to the UHSAA sanctioned sports programs is a wise one and will not only benefit the girls", who choose to participate, but will benefit all of society in the years ahead. , ; By ROBERT THURGOOD r Member Davis County School Board As a member of the Davis County Board of Education and a voting member of the Utah High School Activities Legislative Council, I recently ' voted in opposition to adopt girls', soccer and girls' softball as sponsored sports for the following reasons: l: The recent tax initiatives greatly concerned all boards of educations, s including the Davis district They were of great concern because of the cuts ' in funding to all districts if they would have passed. Our board, in considering consider-ing ways to deal with major cuts, discussed the possibility of cutting certain .athletic programs. Now, just a few months aftcrthc initiatives, were defeated we are adding programs at additional cost 2. 1 do not believe that girls' sports programs are in any way less'impor-tant less'impor-tant than boys. Girls should be given las many opportunities to excel as boys in all areas, But I do believe we need to put our priorities in place. If the citizens of this great state are concerned about the education of their children they heed to understand that "Public Education" Cannot do all it - is expected to do on the funding it is presently receiving. - - 3. If girls' soccer, girls' Softball, high school rodeo,' or any other sport or activity that might, interest students, were a club sponsored sport, it would greatly reduce the cost of such activities. By adopting these activities under the Utah "High School Activities Association," it is required of the district to provide a certified instructor for each activity. This means the Davis District Dis-trict must " now : hire "a certified, teacher to supervise these activities. Club .' sponsored activities. On the other hand, can employ , interested parents or ; i qualified people who have an interest in such an activity at a greatly re- . 4. This adoption was railroaded through because of a threat of investigation in-vestigation by die office of Civil Rights in Denver. If school districts must , be forced or threatened into adopting programs they cannot afford by some -federal agency, then bur entire system is in great danger.. The Weber Dis- , trict had the courage to stand up to this agency and they are now under in- vcstigadon;:-.Ji;:v7.;""::'i"-' '' 4-'.v::sy;.-Parcnts, please gol involved, make sure academics arc not threatened by" adding new activities without additional funding. The responsibility is vours-, : 1 , i-.v.'V - ' |