Gender discrimination is a pervasive issue, and unfortunately, it is also present in athletic programs. San Diego State University is one such university currently embroiled in a legal battle over gender discrimination concerning its athletic program.
Kamryn Whitworth’s Plight
Kamryn Whitworth, a former San Diego State rower and one of the 17 women athletes, filed a sex discrimination class action lawsuit against SDSU. Whitworth feels conflicted about the Aztecs men’s basketball team’s success due to the university’s gender discrimination. The lawsuit alleges that SDSU deprived women of more than $1.2 million in “equal athletic financial aid” over two academic years, which violate federal Title IX laws.
SDSU’s Women Rowing Program Canceled
The lawsuit arose after SDSU eliminated its women’s rowing program and cited cost-cutting measures related to COVID, stating that fewer women scholarship athletes made it difficult to comply with Title IX. This resulted in substantial benefits for SDSU men’s basketball Final Four bid, netting the university an extra $500,000 in future NCAA Tournament distributions and other financial windfalls. Meanwhile, female athletes at SDSU continue to face immense hurdles with unequal funding for their athletic programs.
SDSU Fights Back
San Diego State claims that it is proud of promoting female athletic opportunities and that women’s scholarships funding remains among the highest in the conference and country. However, Arthur Bryant, an attorney representing female athletes, says it’s irrelevant to federal law. The plaintiffs accused SDSU of capping women’s program dollars at amounts lower than what the NCAA permits and creating a “sex-based barrier” for female sports participants. U.S. District Judge Todd Wallace Robinson directed the plaintiffs to calculate specific monetary damages for each of the individual athletes in the case, but SDSU argued that the plaintiffs failed to identify any individualized harm.
The Wait for Judgment
Both sides await the court’s ruling on whether the equal athletic financial aid and retaliation claims can proceed to the discovery phase, which would then provide the plaintiffs access to the school’s official Title IX figures.
Despite all this ongoing controversy, San Diego State University women and men basketball teams recently made their way into the Final Four stage of the 2023 NCAA tournament. This is a considerable achievement for any university, especially one embroiled in legal woes. But there are some students who are excited about other things.
Title: SDSU Senior Excited for Final Four Game with Sister’s School
Lindsay Gaudette’s Story
SDSU senior Lindsay Gaudette is excited about the Final Four tournament where her school will face her sister’s school. Lindsay’s sister, Riley, is a freshman at Florida Atlantic University which won its game against Kansas State first. The girls and their dad will travel to Houston to watch the game together. Each sister hopes their team advances to the national championship. The family is excited to share this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity together.
While these sisters share an exciting opportunity with their family, another SDSU alum wasn’t so lucky when she shared her superstitions.
Title: Golf Superstitions Jinxed Her Favorite Team
Paige Spiranac’s Story
Paige Spiranac, a golf influencer, shared her superstitions related to sports on Twitter. She mentioned her alma mater’s men’s basketball team at the Final Four stage of the 2023 NCAA tournament without mentioning their name. Spiranac believed that mentioning the team’s name could bring bad luck as she is superstitious. She also shared her golf superstitions, such as not using the golf ball with No. 1 on it, eating the same breakfast for a few days after playing well, and only marking the ball with a quarter that was heads up. Despite her golf superstitions, she did not excel in the sport. Spiranac’s Twitter post unintentionally jinxed her favorite team, but she argued otherwise.
In conclusion, SDSU’s athletic program is currently in turmoil with ongoing legal battles and gender discrimination claims that tarnish its reputation. Still, students like Lindsay Gaudette look forward to sharing once-in-a-lifetime experiences with their families. On the flip side, Paige Spiranac’s superstitious tweet unwittingly brought bad luck upon her favorite team. At SDSU, there are highs and lows; stories of hope and inspiration juxtaposed with stories of discrimination and controversy.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
