Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 had a seismic
impact on sports in the United States, but the law itself is
only 37 words long: “No person in the United States shall, on
the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied
the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any
educational program or activity receiving Federal financial
assistance.” The law applies to educational institutions that
receive federal funds, including private schools if they accept
any federal dollars from student loan, grant or research
programs. The courts have repeatedly interpreted the
"educational program or activity" section of the law to cover
both academics and athletics. Title IX was written to open
opportunities for women in higher education, but it also applies
to elementary, middle and high schools that receive public
dollars. The penalty for non-compliance is withdrawal of federal
funds, but that's a penalty that has yet to be used. Instead,
the U.S. Department of Education Office for Ci