Title IX and booster club management: Experts' suggestions for managing challenging scenarios

Title IX law prohibits discrimination at academic institutions that receive federal funding. Athletic programs fall under the purview of the law. As booster clubs, and the money they raise, become more important to successful sport programs, athletic directors must work diligently to ensure that their contributions do not cause inequity between the boys' and girls' programs. A number of challenges are presented by boosters who earmark giving to a single sport, booster clubs that represent only one sport and outperform those representing other sports, and in the process of transferring money from booster activities to the sports programs. This essay presents the suggestions of six leading Title IX experts to assist coaches, athletic directors, and all school administrators in successfully managing these challenges.