Readers on both sides were ardent in their defense about how the perceived gender roles -- and to an extent both were correct. Americans are guaranteed the opportunity to express personal opinions, and insomuch as it doesn't harm others, they are also allowed to live their lives by their own unique set of values. For example, the American government doesn't force Judeo-Christian religious doctrine into the everyday lives of the people, and that means we have a culturally diverse landscape of people, ideas and beliefs.
As a parent, you are allowed to order your male children to not wrestle girls, and your female child can also be forbidden to wrestle boys. That's a prerogative American parents are given over a dependent. However, that in no way should be extended to a third party institution that exists outside of the family -- even if as a parent you agree with the ruling, the ruling itself limits the ability of the individual to make independent decisions.
Yet there seems to be confusion over what exactly it means to have personal choice, versus willing institutional subjugation. In the case of the diocese, the freedom of the individual to make a choice has been supplanted by the power the diocese believes it wields over it's flock. In defense of the diocese many are quick to point to freedom of speech, or the general "Don't Tread on Me" right to free association and conduct -- that outlook confuses the right of the individual to pursue personal destiny, with the rights of an institution to make a ruling.
The difference is vital and is where the diocese has made an error. Although a private school, the schools overseen by the dioceses all receive federal funds, which make them subject to laws governing the equal treatment of the sexes.
This week news broke the Title IX laws, specifically the gender quotas applied to higher education around the country, would now be brought to the high school level. As the OCR lawyers sharpen their pencils and pull out the map of United States high schools, my hope is that they first aim for the wrestling programs controlled by the Harrisburg dioceses. Their willfulness in limiting the personal choice of their students on the basis of sex has no role within the wrestling community. Parents, not institutions, have the right to make decisions about their children's lives, and the dioceses' arrogance in thinking otherwise should make them first on the OCR's radar of gender discriminators.
And if the OCR doesn't come knocking soon, I have a better idea for correcting this institutional injustice. I suggest that every school with a dual meet against a program overseen by the dioceses should field a team entirely of girls. From the lightest to the heaviest, with 10 years of experience, or none at all, each should take the mat and stand there in defiance of gender discrimination. As a few close-minded bureaucrats force their boys to forfeit the message will be sent: Women and the wrestling community won't be governed from the outside. We chose individual choice and inclusion over institutional rule and discrimination.
The sooner that individuals and institutions accept this fact, the sooner the wrestling community can get on to the business of growing our sport in new ways. Until then we'll continue to fight Title IX gender quotas, live in fear of bad press and watch in anger as our programs are cut -- delusional enough to believe they are picking on us for no reason.
Girls wrestle.
To your questions ...
Q: Gabe Dean was an impressive freshman who snapped Ed Ruth's long winning streak. Is it conceivable that Dean does what Ruth did over his final three seasons of college wrestling?
-- Mike C.
Cornell's Gabe Dean finished third at the NCAAs as a freshman (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)The NCAA tournament is a difficult tournament to dominate, but that's exactly what Ruth had done the past three seasons. For Dean to have a similar path as Ruth he will not only have to go almost flawless over his last three years of competition, but get through an NCAA tournament filled with talent.
I'm a believer in Dean's ability, but I think we are looking at a two-time NCAA champion with one or two more losses. Not exactly modest expectations, but also not quite to the level of Ruth.
Q: I do not know if you heard but the Indian Premier Wrestling League, which will start in November 2014, is a professional league with United World Wrestling rules. It will be in six cities around India each which will have teams.
-- Dennis L.
Foley: The IWL is being modeled after the "You-Almost-Can't-Conceive-How-Successful" Indian Premier Cricket League. That league, which takes the three-day cricket match and shortens it to three hours, has meant billions of dollars for that sport in India. Wrestling, though only the fourth most popular sport in India behind cricket, cricket and cricket, will have a large market by which to be successful.
Indians crave entertainment and they love sports. With Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt having done so well, wrestling has been beamed into more living rooms than ever before. Previous to their success wrestling was limited to kushti (traditional wrestling) dangals (tournaments) hosted by politicians and local celebrities. These were also wildly popular but didn't have the same cross-country effect. Almost all are hyper-local events.
The IWL could be a big hit. The organizers have talked about bringing in foreign talent to add some intrigue, and the presentation is absolutely sure to be spectacular. If you've ever seen IPL you'd know that a good portion of the game is spent with cameramen in the stands looking for excited fans and pretty women. The latter is a standard operating procedure among cameraman worldwide.
I'll email some friends and see if we can get even more information before the start of the league, including how to watch!
Multimedia Halftime
Bill Farrell Invitational (formerly NYAC) commercial No.1
Japanese drilling session
Don't lat drop a lineman
Q: I noticed the Doi twins were both ranked at 101 pounds in the women's college rankings. What's the likelihood they face each other in the national championship match? Who would you give the edge to?
-- Mike C.
Marina Doi earned a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships this summer (Photo/Martin Gabor)Who is better? The edge might be to Marina, though that could change on a daily basis. They are both a little too small to compete at the senior 48-kilo limit, which means that until that time they will need to work on getting in as much competition as possible and bulking up.
This year that might mean rolling against each other!
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