Contact Us ·  Advertise With Us ·  Site Map
HOME    WEATHER    NEWS    SPORTS    COMMUNITY    BUSINESS    HEALTH    ENTERTAINMENT        
CarSoup Submit News Stories Job Board Closings & Delays Desktop Alert TV3 on the Go First Alert Traffic
E-News
Live Newscast
JMU DC Rally Save Email Print
Washington D.C.
Posted: 7:01 PM Nov 2, 2006
Last Updated: 7:22 PM Nov 2, 2006
Reporter: Kelly Creswell

A | A | A

James Madison University students headed to the capitol today to fight for Title IX reform. More than 100 students rallied on the front steps of the Department of Education asking to get rid of the quota system and to empower students allowing them to have more of an influence on what sports will be played on their college campus.

"We will save our sports!" chanted students.

That's what JMU students came to the nation's capitol to do save the ten sports programs being cut because of Title IX. The students wanted legislators to hear their message loud and clear.

We want change and that we're not happy with the way the system works," says Mark Rinker, a JMU athlete. "People have said that the board of education doesn't realize how big of an issue this is, so we just want to bring it to their doorstep and make sure they understand that we're here to fight for our cause and our sports."

The College Sports Council was at the Department of Education's doorstep as well trying to let legislators know the law once used to end discrimination against women is now discriminating against men.

"We need gender equality across the board and it's got to go both ways!" says Jen Chapman, a JMU athlete.

"Nobody supports what's happening, nobody supports killing these teams in the name of gender equity or progress for women so why don't we change it?" says Jessica Gavora, the Communications Director of the College Sports Council.

That's the question students brought to the Department of Education today. They say the answer to this problem is simple.

"Rather than saying well it has to be 50-50 or it has to be 60-40, it should be athlete centered, it should be student-centered, and they should have a voice in their athletic and their university careers," says Allison Kasic, a member of the Independent Women's Forum.

JMU students hope that their rally will embolden other college campuses to fight for reform as their athletic programs are cut as well. A spokesman from the College Sports Council says the Department of Education listened closely to what the students had to say.

Nothing was resolved and the Department couldn't make any promises, but students say they will continue to save their sports.

More Stories
Harrisonburg Housing Numbers

Police Chase Ends in Waynesboro

Missing Children Found

Search for Funk Continues

Police Seek Information in Alleged Armed Robbery

Attempted Robbery at CVS

Arson Charges Certified

New Voters in the Valley

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
National AP Video