Tim Ajmani
The Corsair
This summer has been a nightmare for many athletic programs in the NCAA. Prestigious universities in the country, including Ohio State University and the University of North Carolina, have had their names and reputations tarnished by sports scandals.
Throw in the NFL and NBA lock outs, and it puts most of us in a gloomy mood when we think about sports. Good news would be a breath of fresh air for any sports fan right now (the end of the NFL lockout is GREAT news by the way…).
A recent article published in the New York Times (At Two-Year Colleges, Less Scrutiny Equals Less Athletic Equality – 7/16/11) talks about how some community colleges can’t provide the same athletic opportunities to woman as they can to men.
Our very own Pensacola State College is mentioned in the article as “one of the rare exceptions among community colleges” abiding under Title IX, a federal law that bans sex discrimination in education, including college athletics. The article goes on to talk about how some community colleges fail to abide by Title IX for various reasons, including budget problems, increased enrollment, and cuts by state legislatures.
But it’s still the law. Most community colleges are in the same boat. That can not be used as an excuse to not follow the law. When issues arise, solutions are needed. Pensacola State College has not only maintained ethics and morals, but the women’s teams thrive.
The women’s basketball team recently won the state championship and placed third at the NJCAA national tournament.
Kudos, Pensacola State College Athletic Director Bill Hamilton, AD here for 11 years. Kudos, Pensacola State College for doing what’s right, and not what was easy. Kudos, for being a good sports story in a summer full of not-so-good ones.
Read the New York Times article here.
