From a College Coach

I coached the women's rugby team at the university I attended. I was proud to be an alumnus and proud to be a coach, but I left the school recently because I could no longer tolerate the Title IX violations preventing my team from reaching its potential.

Turning the women's rugby club into a varsity sport would have added forty more participation opportunities for women at the school with little cost to the university's athletic department. The girls trained and performed like a varsity team, and were committed to the sport. They tried to turn their club into a varsity sport four or five years ago-and it was an uphill battle ever since.

The team circulated petitions to show interest in and support for the team. At one point, a petition with 800 signatures from women at the university reached the athletic director's desk. Nothing happened. The school continued to relegate the rugby team to club status.

The rugby players are deserving student athletes, and they are being denied an opportunity to achieve their athletic potential. I hope this does not happen to my daughter when she grows up. Every athlete should be able to play the sport of their choice, and do it at the highest level they can. I am disappointed in my university, but proud of my team for continuing its struggle.