John Cheslock. Who’s Playing College Sport? Trends in Participation

The author provides a critical glimpse into the emerging rise in female involvement in college sports. Previous social segregation that prevented women from participating in those sports was the responsibility of a limited group of elite female athletes. Historical gender inequality in intercollegiate athletics is blamed for the divide that has now arisen between men and women in sports representation. However, the author insists that the abolition of sexism against women on the grounds of particular athletic activity, which was undertaken in 1990, has seen a rise in numbers. The question is, “are all sports experiencing an exponential growth regarding female participation?” The answer is no. While such sports as football, tennis and other indoor games have registered an increase in women’s participation, others are structured to accommodate very small expansion of membership or participation. For instance, Golf has not recorded significantly high female participation since 1990’s. On the other note, the female teams in college sports are apparently recording a remarkable improvement. Although there are claims of men’s participation on the verge of getting even with female, such an argument is not valid. Critical evaluation of this source still portrays a superior numerical representation of men in all sports in intercollege participations.

Are there government measures targeting improvement in female participation in college sports? The introduction and implementation of Title IX have been a policy breakthrough. This legal act requires that all institutions maintain compliance which emphasizes the provision of necessary resources to support the participation of women in intercollege competitions.

Attempts to remove Title IX is not justifiable as it will likely affect negatively the progress so far made in encouraging female participation in sports and representation in intercollege competitions.

James L. Shulman and William G. Bowen. The Game of Life. Taking Stock.

The worrying trend of the face of college sports is in the spotlight. The increased commercialization of sports is a threat to the development of an all-rounded individual. The author is critical in the way collegiate sports has overtaken the need for a sustainable social growth of an individual. In fact, selection to join such colleges and universities is emphasized on athletic specialization which is a zero-sum game. Among several candidates, sports has become more of a tool to earn a living than boost one’s personality and reinforce a strong leadership entity.

What are the possible causes of this upward trend in collegiate emphasis on athletic competency? One obvious answer to this question is the fact that, multinationals are interested in sponsoring such talented personalities and the attached financial gains to the college involved are always attractive. In most cases, admission criteria are rigid, competitive and disproportionate to other groups. On another perspective, the learning institutions that compete and achieve success from sports have heavy financing to cope with. Such costs incurred include but not limited to; infrastructure, and recruitment of highly qualified coaches.

From another perspective, the overwhelming influence of sports in reshaping status is useful in this debate. Through talent, minority groups such as women, the poor, among others are likely to gain admission to such leading colleges and universities. However, in a twist of counterargument, admission based on athletics competency take the place of academic performance. Finding learners lacking commitment towards simple learning is common. The overall effect is that selective admission to colleges based on the lucrative sporting enterprise is a serious societal problem that must be taken seriously.