Gender Equity in Religious Sport

Introduction

Sports are often perceived as one of the few arenas where individuals are judged solely by their abilities and athleticism. However, when gender comes into play, significant inequalities persist. This issue has been a topic of debate among researchers, scholars, and participants in sports for decades, with calls for increased representation of women and equal opportunities. While some progress has been made in leveling the playing field, much work remains to be done. As Christians, it is our moral duty to ensure that all individuals, regardless of gender, receive fair and equal treatment.

This principle is echoed in Second Corinthians 8:13, which emphasizes the importance of equality: "Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality" (The Holy Bible, New Living Translation). This sentiment extends to sports, where it is our Christian duty to create equal opportunities for both men and women.

The Impact of Title IX

The collegiate level of sports is notorious for incidents of gender inequality. In response, the Title IX clause of the Education Amendment of 1972 was enacted, aimed at providing opportunities for females to participate in athletics at educational institutions (Osborne, 2013). This amendment has had a profound impact on women's participation in sports, with female athletes increasing from 15% in 1972 to 43% in 2001 (Bell, 2008). While student-athletes have benefited greatly from this legislation, progress has been slower for women in administrative and coaching roles. Women occupy less than 20% of administrative roles in college athletics. According to ESPN, only 269 out of 1,101 athletic directors at NCAA-governed schools are women, highlighting the significant gender disparity (Voepel, 2017). Salary inequalities also persist, with female coaches earning only 62% of what their male counterparts make (Osborne, 2013; Brown, 2017). To combat this discrimination, Title VII was enacted, protecting employees against discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, and sex. Despite this, proving compensation discrimination in court remains challenging, with only half of Title IX and Title VII cases resulting in favorable rulings for plaintiffs (Associated Press, 2016). Furthermore, women who assert claims regarding discrimination often face retaliation and are "blackballed" in the field, contradicting God's command in Matthew 7:12 to treat others as we wish to be treated.

Moshak v. The University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee historically maintained separate athletic departments for men and women. However, during the 2008-2009 school year, the university president requested a merger of these departments to eliminate redundant positions. During this process, three senior female employees discovered significant salary discrepancies between male and female employees with similar qualifications. University officials attempted to justify these discrepancies by citing "complexities of football," "comparable" conditions, and "market factors" (Moshak v. The University of Tennessee, 2012). Dissatisfied, the employees filed appeals and a formal complaint with the University's Office of Equity and Diversity, which found no evidence of discrimination but noted minor procedural violations. After their concerns were dismissed, the trio filed a lawsuit against the university, alleging sex discrimination and retaliation under Title VII, Title IX, and the Equal Pay Act (Martin, 2013). The case was settled for $1.05 million, with the university denying any discrimination but choosing to settle out of court (Associated Press, 2016).

Court Proceedings

In their lawsuit, Moshak, Schlosser, and Mason sought declaratory, injunctive, and monetary damages, claiming sex discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title IX and Title VII. Moshak argued that she was compensated at a slower rate than the men’s head athletic trainer, despite her longer tenure, broader duties, and higher position (Moshak v. The University of Tennessee, 2012). Mason alleged her termination was discriminatory, as it occurred after she reported allegations of discrimination, despite her promotions and positive evaluations (Moshak v. The University of Tennessee, 2012). Schlosser claimed his termination during the merger was due to the gender of the athletes he serviced, despite his superior qualifications and performance (Moshak v. The University of Tennessee, 2012). The settlement, which did not involve government or donor funds, was reached after nearly three months of litigation, with the university choosing to resolve the matter outside of court (Associated Press, 2016).

Discussion

Gender equity and Title IX have long been contentious issues in sports. It is surprising that even a historically successful female athletic program like the University of Tennessee faced such challenges. This lawsuit, along with others like it, highlights the ongoing struggles women face in collegiate athletics. The dismantling of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) and the subsequent merging of athletic departments contributed to the decline of women in administrative roles. By 2015-2016, only 18.7% of athletic directors at NCAA institutions were female, with lower-level administrative roles showing similar disparities (NCAA Sport Sponsorship, 2016). Such trends discourage women from pursuing advancement opportunities, exacerbating representation issues.

The Bible provides a clear directive for equality, yet many in the sports world fail to adhere to this principle, treating women unfairly and objectifying them. Media coverage often portrays female athletes negatively, using terms like "girls" instead of recognizing their achievements. In contrast, male athletes are celebrated as "strong and powerful" (Scheadler, 2018). Companies like Nike are challenging such narratives, with campaigns like the "Dream Crazier" ad featuring Serena Williams, which encourages women to pursue their dreams despite societal biases (Penrose, 2019).

Galatians 3:28 reminds us that in Christ, there is no distinction between male and female, yet sports continue to reflect inequality. This behavior is often ingrained in young men from an early age, leading to a sense of entitlement and privilege by the time they reach college sports. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort to promote equality and dismantle the biases that pervade the sports industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the struggle for gender equality in sports is ongoing, with significant challenges remaining despite legislative efforts like Title IX and Title VII. The case of Moshak v. The University of Tennessee underscores the systemic issues that persist, particularly in collegiate athletics. To achieve true equality, it is essential to continue advocating for fair treatment and representation of women in all aspects of sports. As Christians, we are called to uphold the principles of fairness and equality, ensuring that all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, irrespective of gender. It is only through collective action and a commitment to change that we can create a more equitable future for women in sports and beyond.

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