Oberlin takes a swing at varsity women's softball

Women's varsity sports are finally getting into the swing of things, with their newest addition: varsity softball.

The team passed through its final bureaucratic check-point Tuesday, when the General Faculty approved the proposal. The proposal ran into a minor confrontation when a discussion over Title IX broke out, but still received full support from the collected faculty.

Athletic Director Mike Muska and Professor of History Heather Hogan, who chairs the athletics committee, already have several key elements in place for the team's planned opening season next year. A substantial 30-member club team, guaranteed funding, prospective first-year additions to the squad and two possible coaches all promise a strong beginning for the newest Yeowomen.

On Tuesday, Professor of History Geoffrey Blodgett threw a small monkey wrench into the proposed varsity addition. Blodgett professed his support of the team, but questioned the motivation for introducing a new women's varsity sport. "Softball should be added on its merits, not on requirements," said Blodgett.

Blodgett brought up the issue of Title IX, the 27-year-old provision that requires gender equality in collegiate athletics. He argued that softball should not be introduced in order to even out proportions within the athletic department. Currently, Oberlin has 59 percent female enrollment and 41 percent male enrollment, but varsity sports have an uneven distribution of 46 percent female representation and 54 percent male representation.

The proponents of the softball team indicated that interest for the sport warrants its addition to the athletic program. "We believe it is appropriate to expand the athletic opportunities open to women," said Hogan.

College president Nancy Dye explained that Title IX is not based upon proportionality. Dye explained that Title IX dictates that the College provides opportunity to women athletes. Dye said, "We have not had difficulty meeting Title IX requirements."

Dean of the College Clayton Koppes noted that proportionality is more of a problem for larger institutions, and supported the introduction of the program. "The real reason for doing it is that we should expand the opportunities available."

After the discussion, the proposal passed without opposition. The club team has been practicing twice a week, awaiting their varsity funding and direction of a full-time coach. Muska said, "We have a group of women who are excited about this opportunity." Two coaches in the athletic department, the new women's soccer coach Jane Wildman and women's basketball intern Joanna Wells, already expressed interest in coaching the team.

Funding also bodes well for the softball team. The Heisman Club already promised $50,000 for the team's startup, and they have also received a $7,000 donation for a scoreboard. Despite these generous donations, the athletic department will face some difficulties. "The biggest problem is going to be building a field," said Muska. Muska is currently considering placing the field east of the baseball field, just opposite the ground's facility. Muska priced the cost of building a field between $35,000 and $100,000.

Along with building costs, the athletic department will need to spend around $7,500 in startup fees. The program will cost $8,000 a year to run. Since Wildeman and Wells are already employed by the athletic department, Muska hopes not to expend money on hiring a new coach just for softball.

Some questions have been raised over the sudden addition of softball, since the club sport is in its relative infancy compared to established programs like women's rugby and men's and women's ultimate. Muska explained that softball is the third largest Division III sport, and a strong component of the North Coast Athletic Conference. Muska said, "It's really the growing sport of the conference." The NCAC has five softball teams at present, but will add two more next season with Oberlin and the College of Wooster joining the ranks.

The Admissions office received applications from approximately 30 prospectives who expressed interest in playing softball. Upon passing through the general faculty, Muska immediately prepared a letter for those students, informing them of the new softball squad. Muska did not think that putting together a team would be a significant problem, though. Muska said, "The concept of finding people for the team is not a problem."

One seemingly unrelated benefit of the new softball team will be the growth of the football program. Since the varsity programs already have greater male participation, the football team could not be expanded without adding a new women's varsity program. "The argument for adding a women's varsity sport is also to allow football to grow," said Muska.

The NCAC scheduler has already been contacted, and the Oberlin softball team will hopefully start competing next spring.