Title IX Message From Coach Gabrielson

Note: Due to lack of involvement by wrestlers in anti-Title IX activities in Maryland at this time, this page will no longer be updated. Fall 1998.

Fall 97 Update:
Lots of activities realted to Title IX problems lately. I gave a letter to all members in September urging them to contact their congressman about adding language to the Education Bill to protect minor mens sports. Most members said they would write. Also, take a look at my Female Participation Surfing/Wrestling Sociological Comparison paper.

Summer 97 Update:
I've been told by a Staffer for Wayne Gilcrest that I'm the only person in two years to complain to him about Title IX's harmful effects. Sounded almost as non-concerned as our congressional femal activist from Baltimore (who doesn't listen either). What gives?

We lost the Supreme Court review. Simply not enough muscle yet.

Winter 96/7 Update:
Dale Anderson needs help in determining who in congress will sign the friend of court brief to have the Supreme Court look at Title IX. All members should contact their congressman today.

Fall 96 Update:
John Morgan is currently a candidate for the House of Representatives. He is running against Steny Hoyer, and is also supportive of wrestlings efforts to correct current defficiencies in Title IX. He has supported SMWC activities for the past two years, and deserves the support of Maryland's wrestling community in return. We need more wrestling fans in Congress.

December 95 Update: John Lowe recently had an article in the Maryland Wrestling Newsletter on Title IX. Not sure what he ment to say, but it seems he implies that the only thing we need to do is add more female wrestling events and it will somehow prevent college wrestling's demise. Maybe John doesn't know that men's gymnastics and swimming have strong female programs that didn't help when it came to cutting. The only things politicians seem to understand is power, publicity, and the pocketbook. I don't know of anyone who thinks Title IX is a bad thing, but almost everyone agrees (except some liberal women's activists it seems) that it is being applied in the wrong way. This problem needs to be addressed by politicans who are sympathetic to wrestling and all minor men's sports. If they are not for us or at least willing to listen, then they should be removed.

Other Related Maryland Information

Message to non-SMWC readers: The following information and editorial comments specifically relate to Maryland's wrestling community, and in particular, the members of Southern Maryland Wrestling Club. If you disagree, you're welcome to print your comments on your own page, but not here.

I contacted both of Maryland's senators, plus my Representative Steny Hoyer, last March about the effect Title IX was having on wrestling at the college level. Barbara Mikulski is the only elected official to respond to my concerns negatively.

I also sent a copy of Barbara's letter to the Maryland Wrestling News, but Roger Chang did not print it. However, I believe every wrestler in Maryland (and their family members) should know how our elected senator views the effects of Title IX on wrestling. Therefore, copies this letter have been provided at every Southern Maryland wrestling tournament since that time, and it has also been reproduced for the benefit of our membership herein.

Based on her comments, I don't think she really understands the problem. Below is the response she sent me.

United States Senate
Hart Senate Office Building, Suite 709
Washington D.C. 20510-2003

March 31, 1995

Dear Mr. Gabrielson

Thanks for keeping in touch with me. It's nice to hear from you.

I appreciate knowing of your concerns about the Department of Education's Federal Gender Equity Statute (Title IX). Unfortunately, we disagree. I believe Title IX has greatly benefited college sports. While it is unfortunate that so many universities are cutting wrestling, I do not believe women's sports should be sacrificed to save it.

Again, thanks for contacting me. Please let me know if I can be of help to you in the future.

Sincerely,

Barbara A Mikulski
United States Senator