Bowling, The Wright Way - February 25, 2003 by Don Wright
Ask The Women In Your Life…

Much has been written lately about three topics and the more I thought about it, the more I felt I had to add my two cents.

First, it seemed that every time I picked up a paper, or tuned in to a sports program I heard someone talking about Title IX and I have to admit I got interested and found myself watching the outcome of the 15-member Commission on Opportunity in Athletics. Now, I will admit right up front that I am no expert on Title IX; however, what I do know is "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." That includes sports.

The other thing I know is that in 1972, fewer than 32,000 women participated in intercollegiate athletics. By 2000, women comprised 40 percent of all college athletes, according to the National Women's Law Center.

I realize that many will say that men's athletics, especially football in the South and basketball bring in more money to the University than most women's sports combined. I don't think so. Far too much money is spent on men's sports. Women don't need multi-million dollar stadiums, top of the line weight rooms and state of the art basketball arenas. All of which begin in high school by the way. I question the profitability of high school and college sports. How many of you have suffered through a bond election to pay millions of dollars for a football field with a press box ESPN would drool over. Things like full kitchens, lounges and other luxuries for the high school. Then imagine having more than one high school that needs the same things.

Women's sports have come a long way. Personally, I prefer college basketball to the NBA and I prefer women's college basketball to men's. It's more pure. Not any less competitive, just a better game.

I have read Title IX, I have read arguments by fans, coaches and sportswriters and I find myself thinking of just my family. My wife was a world class swimmer in Germany, I have a daughter, five Granddaughters and a Great Granddaughter and they have as much right to sports availability and participation as their brothers, or me.

Changing Title IX isn't the answer.

Topic two evolves around women competing with men.

Recently, Annika Sorenstam said she would relish the chance to play a PGA Tour event, provided the tournament was held on a golf course that suits her game. This came about after Suzy Whaley, a Connecticut club pro, won a PGA sectional from a shorter set of tees than the men and qualified for the Greater Hartford Open in late July. She will be the first woman to play on the PGA Tour in the modern era. Whaley will have to play from the championship tees with the men.

Sorenstam said, ""If I pick the right course, I think I would do well," adding that she could only compete if the course wasn't excessively long, had tight fairways and punishing rough, which she rarely gets into as the LPGA's best driver.

Wow! Why don't they make the cup as big as a pie plate for her? I don't care what they do for her she's no competition to the top 100 PGA Tour members.

Imagine Leanne Barrette, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, or Michelle Feldman saying to the PBA, "I want to bowl, but we can only use 14 pound balls, short oil, light pins and the men have to wear skirts." I don't think so. But, would they be competitive with the top male bowlers on an even setting? Maybe.

I think the long grind of the men's format would take its toll on the stamina of the women. I looked at Parker Bohn while he was bowling in the Dallas Open and he looked tired. Randy Pedersen said all the bowlers were tired after the exhaustive U.S. Open and then the Dallas Open. I think that would eliminate nearly all the women from competition. In a short format, in leagues, ABC/WIBC National events, skins games and those type formats I firmly believe women can compete on an equal basis with men.

But, regardless of whether I believe they can hold their own, they deserve the opportunity to try.

Topic 3 has to do with media coverage. In a recent Sports Illustrated column by Rick Reilly he wrote, "If you're a woman, there are only three ways to get the sports world to notice you:

1. Strip to your panties and bra and wrestle over beer.
2. Play crappy tennis but look hot pulling the second ball out of your briefs.
3. Tweak Hootie's nose."

Reilly's point was that setting basketball records (Connecticut), winning four major tennis events (Serena Williams), or posting 800 basketball wins (Pat Summitt) doesn't rate the media given to men. Further example is Annika Sorenstam and Tiger Woods. Sorenstam won nearly half her starts last year (13 of 25). Tiger for 2002 was 6 of 22.

I recall a female soldier in my unit who was married to another soldier. They were both the same rank and would both leave for a future assignment together. She had a degree, he didn't. She had more schooling than he had. As the time approached for them to leave for their next assignment her husband was working hard to insure upcoming schooling, completion of his degree and his next assignment. She commented to me, "Everyone is concerned about his future, but no one has asked me what I'd like to do."

It's a shame we have such tunnel vision.

Title IX is a good thing. And, I believe women's sports needs more women writers. Our sport needs more writers, more media coverage in general, and more access to the bowling publications. If bowlers who subscribe don't share the periodicals with non-bowlers than how do we bring them the sport and enable it to grow?

See you on the lanes.