cover image Crashing the Old Boys' Network: The Tragedies and Triumphs of Girls and Women in Sports

Crashing the Old Boys' Network: The Tragedies and Triumphs of Girls and Women in Sports

David F. Salter. Praeger Publishers, $86.95 (184pp) ISBN 978-0-275-95512-0

In 1972, Title IX of the federal Education Amendments Act mandated the equal treatment of female and male athletes and teams at American colleges. But inertia, foot-dragging and numerous court challenges (all of which failed) meant that the law was honored in the breach until 1988. Since then, progress has been slow but steady. Yet a disappointing side effect has developed: increased funding for women's sports has attracted more male coaches and assistant athletic directors. For example, in 1972 90% of women's programs were administered by women, but by 1994 that figure had dropped to only 21%. Salter (Blueprint for Success) concentrates here on basketball and tennis, where women have made the greatest advances. Even so, he estimates that only one in 10 colleges and universities is now in compliance with Title IX. The picture is not entirely depressing, he argues, as more and more women are competing in sports and finding that athletic success increases their self-esteem. He believes even greater numbers of women will participate if their fathers encourage them. This well-documented academic survey is aimed primarily at specialists. (Nov.)