Identifying Sports Participation Opportunities and Factors that Predict Title IX Compliance

Although Title IX was enacted 35 years ago, many universities are still not compliant, and do not provide equitable opportunities for women. Women athletes are not being afforded the fundamental right of access to sport opportunities. The literature review revealed the need to address ways in which schools can more effectively meet Title IX compliance mandates. The problem identified was that sports opportunities for female athletes, as required by Title IX, were not being provided in proportion to female student enrollment, and gender parity continued to be an issue. The purpose of this quantitative predictive study was to measure compliance with Title IX and determine distinguishing factors (i.e., sports teams, athletic expenses, recruiting expenses, athletic student aid, and coaching staff) between compliant and noncompliant National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) schools. Secondary data analysis, for 258 schools, used data from the Equity in Athletics Data Analysis Cutting Tool (United States Department of Education, n.d.) for the 2007 school year. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis techniques. Calculating compliance provided a total number of 29 (11%) schools that had achieved the Title IX substantially proportionate mandate for the 2007 school year. Several key points were found as a result of the data analyzed. First, differences existed for the type of sports participation opportunities offered at proportionate and disproportionate schools. Second, there was no predictive nature between the independent variables (athletic expenses, recruiting expenses, athletic student aid, coaching staff, and team opportunities) to the dependent variable (compliance). The independent variables accounted for 2% of the variation in compliance (R 2 = .02, F(5, 252) = 1.03, p < .05). Lastly, the gender gap (18%) still existed. It is recommended for Athletic Directors, at schools that do not offer basketball, volleyball, or softball, for those programs to be added. In addition, Athletic Directors should consider adding sports such as wrestling, water polo, sailing, lacrosse, rowing, or rodeo. Areas for additional study include institutional leadership, and sports opportunities at the elementary and secondary levels. Additionally, researching intramural sports may provide insight into achieving Title IX compliance.