Cfe vs Mhsaa
The Effects of Communities for Equality (CFE) vs. Michigan High School Athletic Association
Trenton Heil
Ohio University
April 24, 2013
Abstract
In 1998, Communities for Equality (CFE) filed a lawsuit against the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) citing that they were not in compliance with Title IX and there was not equity between boys and girls sports in High School. Over nine years later in 2007, CFE had won their lawsuit, which made it all the way the Supreme Court and the MHSAA was forced to switch the season of the sports and tournament schedules to comply with Title IX and equity in interscholastic sports. The CFE vs. MHSAA ruling has had a negative effect on participation, officiating, and overall interest for the sports involved. Athletic Directors, along with the MHSAA have to find ways to increase interest for the sports. This study follows up with both positive and negative results of the ruling from various school athletic directors, high school coaches, college coaches and representatives from the MHSAA on a variety of issues that are involved with interscholastic sports. Possible solutions to the main concerns are answered in the conclusion of the study.
Background Title IX of the Education Act of 1972 is a federal law that does not allow discrimination of sex in any federally funded educational program. This includes all co-curricular activities, even though it is never stated in the law. The law states that “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 education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance” (Title IX, Education Amendments, 1972). In 1998, Diane Madsen and Jay Roberts Eveland partnered with the Communities for Equity (CFE) and started by writing letters to elected legislators about how the MHSAA, particularly were in violation of Title IX. The
Trenton Heil
Ohio University
April 24, 2013
Abstract
In 1998, Communities for Equality (CFE) filed a lawsuit against the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) citing that they were not in compliance with Title IX and there was not equity between boys and girls sports in High School. Over nine years later in 2007, CFE had won their lawsuit, which made it all the way the Supreme Court and the MHSAA was forced to switch the season of the sports and tournament schedules to comply with Title IX and equity in interscholastic sports. The CFE vs. MHSAA ruling has had a negative effect on participation, officiating, and overall interest for the sports involved. Athletic Directors, along with the MHSAA have to find ways to increase interest for the sports. This study follows up with both positive and negative results of the ruling from various school athletic directors, high school coaches, college coaches and representatives from the MHSAA on a variety of issues that are involved with interscholastic sports. Possible solutions to the main concerns are answered in the conclusion of the study.
Background Title IX of the Education Act of 1972 is a federal law that does not allow discrimination of sex in any federally funded educational program. This includes all co-curricular activities, even though it is never stated in the law. The law states that “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 education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance” (Title IX, Education Amendments, 1972). In 1998, Diane Madsen and Jay Roberts Eveland partnered with the Communities for Equity (CFE) and started by writing letters to elected legislators about how the MHSAA, particularly were in violation of Title IX. The
References: Communities for Equity v. Michigan High School Athletic Association. 377 F.3d 504. 2004 Constantine, M. (2007, August 18). She won, but she 's 'fed up ' | MLive.com. Michigan Blogs & RSS Feeds - MLive.com. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from http://blog.mlive.com/saginawnews_hs_sports/2007/08/she_won_but_shes_fed_up.html Eggert, D. (2007, April 3). Record Eagle. MHSAA loses equity case; eight sports to switch . Retrieved April 9, 2013, from static.record-eagle.com/2007/apr/03seasons.htmf Girard, F. (2007, April 3). Huge Change for Girls Sports. Detroit News.Com. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20070403/SCHOOLS/704030377 Johnson, J. (2012, June 19). 2011-12 Athletics Participation Drop Slower Than Student Enrollment Decline > MHSAA. MHSAA Home | Michigan High School Athletic Association. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://www.mhsaa.com/News/PressReleases/tabid/224/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1472/2011-12-Athletics-Participation-Drop-Slower-Than-Student-Enrollment-Decline.aspx MHSAA. (2013, January 1). Sports Participation Listing | Administrators | Schools | MHSAA. MHSAA Home | Michigan High School Athletic Association. Retrieved April 11, 2013, from http://www.mhsaa.com/Schools/Administrators/SportsParticipationListing.aspx Raffel, J. (2008, May 2). MHSAA Faces Financial Challenges - MaxPreps News. High School Sports - MaxPreps. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from http://www.maxpreps.com/news/9naVQsZjHEuN8BX1pYpkhg/michigan--mhsaa-faces-financial-challenges.htm Title IX, Education Amendments, 1972. Pub. L. No. 20 USC. Sec. 1681-1688 (2013)