Who’s playing college sports? Trends in participation

In this report from the Women’s Sports Foundation, John Cheslock reviews the thirty-fifth anniversary of Title IX’s effect on athletics in higher education. Title IX, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1972, stipulates that educational institutions that receive federal funding cannot discriminate against women. Its major effect has been to provide more opportunities for women to participate in athletics. This report focuses on the types of changes that occurred in women’s and men’s athletics during the decade from 1995 to 2005. As you read this selection, consider the types of policies that might lead to a gender-equitable athletic environment at U.S. colleges and universities.