Introduction to Title IX In Athletics

Title IX requires that the athletics programs meet the interests and abilities of each gender. Under Title IX, one team is not compared to the same team in each sport. Examinations of the total programs afforded to male student-athletes and the total programs afforded to female student-athletes and whether each program meets the standards of equal treatment occur when determining whether a school is in compliance. Title IX does not require that each team receive exactly the same services and supplies. Rather, Title IX requires that the men and women's programs receive the same level of service, facilities, supplies and etc. Variations within the men and women's programs are allowed, as long as the variations are justified.

Athletics programs are considered educational programs and activities. There are three basic parts of Title IX as it applies to athletics: 

Participation: Title IX requires that women and men be provided equitable opportunities to participate in sports. Title IX does not require institutions to offer identical sports but an equal opportunity to play;

Scholarships: Title IX requires that female and male student-athletes receive athletics scholarship dollars proportional to their participation; and 

Other benefits: Title IX requires the equal treatment of female and male student-athletes in the provisions of: (a) equipment and supplies; (b) scheduling of games and practice times; (c) travel and daily allowance/per diem; (d) access to tutoring; (e) coaching, (f) locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities; (g) medical and training facilities and services; (h) housing and dining facilities and services; (i) publicity and promotions; (j) support services and (k) recruitment of student-athletes.