Why Men’s Soccer Suffers

The Daily Reville, the student newspaper at Louisiana State University (LSU), claims that “antiquated Title IX laws [are] keeping LSU from a men’s soccer program.”

We agree. The overwhelming evidence, including our 2008 analysis of soccer disparities in Division I schools, proves that proportionality harms men’s soccer on numerous fronts.

Here’s the problem:

If LSU added another men’s sport, it would widen the gap in participation between male and female student-athletes.

The addition of a men’s sport is handicapped by the Title IX requirements. If LSU added a men’s program, it would limit its options of significant interest in another women’s sport developed at the University.

Solutions to the Title IX “problem” do exist, though.

“There are aspects of Title IX that I think could be re-written,” Segar said. “I don’t think it helps increase participation to limit a man’s [participation].”

Segar said by reviewing Title IX with a modern perspective, the law could keep its core principles — promoting and developing women’s sports — and also take out the negative aspects of the law such as limiting men’s participation.

Read more here.

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