Throughout generations, humans have played organized games and sports. For that same amount of time, it has been instilled that men are faster, stronger, and just plain better at athletics. We also have come to realize that the slower, weaker, and not as good women make up for physical strength with mental prowess, to succeed on the playing fields and courts of the world. However, this concept has not caught up with athletic directors, coaches, and trustees boards across the country. Women’s athletics is still not given the financial backing, the practice facilities, the correct training personnel, and the support of the general public for building winning programs; on the other hand, losing men’s programs are given any and everything for mediocre results. Title IX was instated 25 years ago, but the results are hard to see, if they can be seen at all. In states like Connecticut, where there are no professional sports teams, state universities are the big ticket in town. The University of Connecticut has two major sports, men’s and women’s basketball. Winning programs, that include national championships, have everyone in the state talking. They are talking about two successful coaches, two successful teams, and one successful athletic department. According to the UConn Athletic web page, Jim Calhoun, coach of the UConn’s Men’s Basketball team, has a 304-120 (.717) record and 1 national championship in his 13 years as head coach. Geno Auriemma, coach of the UConn’s Women’s Basketball team, has a record of 393-95 (.805) and 2 national championships over the past 15 years. One would think that with seniority, a better winning percentage, and more national championships the women’s coach would be paid better. Yeah okay, this is America. Geno Auriemma’s salary was about $ 250,000 for the year, while his male coaching counterpart made $ 875,000. (March 2000 issue of Connecticut Mag...
