By James P. Tucker Jr.
A law passed in the 1970s and imposed on private colleges that was intended to ensure special trteatment for “minorities” and women is back in the news again today. This time it is being pushed by the Obama administration to restrict the free speech rights of college students.
Originally, Title IX was intended to require colleges to ensure equal treatment to women and minorities. It became famous though for promoting women’s sports teams, requiring colleges to spend big bucks on girls’ softball, basketball, track and tennis. In some cases, football and men’s basketball were cut back or eliminated. These were the money sports, where ticket-buying fans also provided the revenue to finance the other teams. Few people will spend money to watch women play field hockey. Even women will buy tickets to football and men’s basketball games, but will not attend the other sports, where admission is free.