Viewer - Tiffeny Milbrett on Title IX

Tiffeny Milbrett on Title IX

Tuesday May 15, 2012

11:58

Hello, everyone. I'm George Rede, editor of the Hillsboro Argus Opinion section, and moderator of today's chat. In just a few minutes, we'll get started.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 11:58

11:59

hi everyone..thank you for joining me today..i am excited to be a part of the discussion and celebration for the 40 years of title IX

Tuesday May 15, 2012 11:59

12:00

I want to begin by thanking our guest, Tiffeny Milbrett, for making herself available today and for writing a guest column for the Argus on what Title IX meant to her as a high school athlete. She is the featured speaker at a May 19 fundraising dinner, hosted by Nike, that will benefit students at St. Mary's Academy, the only same-sex secondary school in Oregon.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:00

12:01

i think i got started before i should have...but, anyways, this is tiffeny and i am so thankful for title IX and all the opportunities sports have given me

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:01

12:02

Tiffeny, can you begin by telling us what it was like as a high school student? What were the expectations then for female athletes? Not just for you, but your teammates, coaches, parents.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:02

12:04

i guess i would say being a high school student for me was pretty normal...i was always a normal, anxious student, do i go to the dance? what do i wear to school that day? but, then, it was always about the sport i was going to play that day...whether it be for the school or outside of school.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:04

12:04

i always knew my focus was sports, and in between that was trying to be a normal, socializing teen

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:04

12:05

[Comment From TeriTeri: ]

Did you ever imagine being able to play in the Olympics and professional soccer?

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:05 Teri

12:06

so, i went to high school '87 - '90...and i can tell you there wasn't a ton of expectations for females and sports careers....but, for me i had all the expectation in the world to reach the highest i could. in oregon, we had a ton of opportunities to play...but, the bigger world stage was realizing itself on a daily basis in the real world...remember, the first olympics for women's soccer was 1996

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:06

12:07

That was a good question, Teri. Who else has one?

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:07

12:07

[Comment From Spartan2000Spartan2000: ]

Go Sparts!

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:07 Spartan2000

12:08

i was a freshman playing varsity soccer and my coach asked us to write down our goals...and what we wanted

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:08

12:08

i remember writing that i wanted to be in the olympics for soccer

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:08

12:09

and she asked my mom, "should i tell her that there isn't olympics for women's soccer?"

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:09

12:09

well, she told me...and my reply straight off was "well, i will just play for the boys, then"

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:09

12:09

so, yes, i have been dreaming olympics ever since i was 6 years old

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:09

12:09

[Comment From RobinRobin: ]

You played more than one sport in high school. What do you think about all the specializing in sports that seems to be the trend now days.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:09 Robin

12:11

i don't think players should specialize..but, what i think is that families can't just sign their player up for 4 sports in one day...i coach now and that is the biggest thing i see these days that i never really dealt with...i call it that these young players have "the presidential schedule" because their lives are literally jam-packed minute to minute

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:11

12:11

[Comment From JimJim: ]

Robin, from my point of view forcing a kid prior to the Junior year in High school to stick to one sport is a detriment to their overall development and could lead to burnout

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:11 Jim

12:11

my opinion isn't specialization...but, you can't be signed up for things you will never attend or only attend once a week...you won't develop if you aren't there

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:11

12:13

i was a multi sport athlete my whole life..yes, lettering in soccer, basketball and track in high school...and i want my players to do more sports..but, again, they are not dealing with just more sports...they are overscheduled...i was never overscheduled..that's the issue that we should really be talking about

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:13

12:13

Here's another question from Jim.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:13

12:13

[Comment From JimJim: ]

So with Title IX forcing Men's sports to control their budgets, do you think Title IX allowed schools like Oregon, OSU and PSU to become competitive nationwide in men's sports

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:13 Jim

12:14

i am not sure i have an answer or even opinion on that...what i do know is that everyone is entitled to all opportunities..so, there should be enough for both

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:14

12:15

Let me jump in and remind us of what Title IX says:
"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 education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance..." -- U.S. Department of Labor.
http://www.dol.gov/oasam/regs/statutes/titleix.htm

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:15

12:16

Catching up with a couple more comments...

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:16

12:16

[Comment From RobinRobin: ]

Yes, Tiffeny, I couldn't agree more. As parents we need to control their activities and the schedule, but coaches put in practices every night and games on the weekend that it doesn't allow for family/fun time and that is where I am frustrated.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:16 Robin

12:16

[Comment From MichaelaMichaela: ]

Hi Tiffeny, thanks for answering all of our questions. I'm currently a student at UP and I am curious about your opinion on Title IX's impact on televised sports. It seems to me like women's sports are hardly ever on TV, even with such a significant piece of legislation.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:16 Michaela

12:18

well, again, you are in control, ultimately, what you schedule for your family, right? i know as a coach i have to be reasonable...i have to do what's enough for development of the player, but, also, not so much that i am asking too much

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:18

12:20

well, i am mixed about the TV coverage of women's sports...it seems we need to be on tv, there is no question...but, it's always with a flavor of "beautiful"

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:20

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what i mean by that is that we can't just be on there because of how we play...there is always a story line of the prettiest ones being shown, getting the attention, etc

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:21

12:22

That's a good point, Tiffeny. I think of Hope Solo, for example, being asked to participate on "Dancing with The Stars." But, then, they've had a few other male athletes too -- Hines Ward, Emmitt Smith.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:22

12:22

A followup comment from Jim...

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:22

12:22

[Comment From JimJim: ]

Michaela, The market dictates TV coverage. As a fan of Women's Basketball and T&F, I note that some aspects of the women's game has not developed like I thought I would see these last 35 years. The women's game emulates the men's game too much in my opinion....winning is big for local TV coverage

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:22 Jim

12:22

yes, men's sports is subjected to beautiful, too...but, they wouldn't not show the athlete just because he isn't cute

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:22

12:23

hi jim...i don't know much about the area of basketball....but, i do know that if the game hasn't developed much, do we have the right system in place to give them the tools to grow?

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:23

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[Comment From MichaelaMichaela: ]

I just think it's really unfortunate. There are some spectacular female athletes that I would love to see on TV, but instead, we have to dig and dig on the Internet or subscribe to a special costly channel to find those athletes. It's unfortunate how much the immense amount of money dictates what is being shown.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:24 Michaela

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[Comment From RobinRobin: ]

Women's sports rarely get print coverage, let alone TV. Look at UO softball - ranked #11 in the country and who knows that outside of anyone involved with their program or softball? Compare that to the coverage for UO, OSU (men's) baseball!

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:24 Robin

12:26

yes, some of your comments i definitely don't even know myself...i do think it takes years to move forward.....and a lot of decisions that are being made are from some guy in a high level position in some office...how do you influence that?

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:26

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[Comment From JimJim: ]

and include both Oregon, OSU, and PSU made it into the (NCAA) playoffs too, but as far as baseball and softball is concerned at least the paper could put out standings once in a while

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:26 Jim

12:26

all i can think is how far we have come...and yes, of course, how far we still need to go

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:26

12:27

What else is on your mind, readers? While you're contemplating, here are some numbers that illustrate the impact of Title IX:

"According to a report provided by the Women's Sports Foundation, 294,015 girls competed in high schools four decades ago. By last year the number had ballooned to 3,173,549, and it's growing." -- Sports Illustrated

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:27

12:28

[Comment From JimJim: ]

I was there when South Salem won the very first OSAA state title in Girls Basketball and the Oregon women played the prelim game to the men's game in Mac Court....excitement is easily generated, but papers have to be motivated

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:28 Jim

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yes, i know that the opportunities are growing..just from my own experience of playing..and now coaching...it is pretty fantastic, the growth

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:29

12:29

ah, yes, south salem...wasn't the star player karen something?

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:29

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i remember watching that, too

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:29

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[Comment From AJAJ: ]

Do you think club soccer will begin to take precedence over high school soccer for girls programs? Seems like that is happening for the boys.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:30 AJ

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well, also, what i find is that more and more PEOPLE are motivated...a lot of dads having girls that don't hold them back...that want them strong and athletic and powerful...and for them to have all the opportunities in the world to be great.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:30

12:31

quick answer re: south salem from jim:

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:31

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[Comment From JimJim: ]

Cathy Aiken, Nancy Aiken and Julie Cushing were the key team players in 1976

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:31 Jim

12:31

[Comment From JimJim: ]

That team knocked off Saint Mary's with future star Anna Maria Lopez

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:31 Jim

12:32

i am not sure, AJ...what i can see is that club is happening year round already...and from age 4 or 5...so, yes, it is already more prominent than high school

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:32

12:33

okay, so you are going waaay back...and i was thinking oregon city

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:33

12:33

I think OC's star player was Karen Alcorn, wasn't it? She was a great track athlete too.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:33

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[Comment From JimJim: ]

Oregon City took off in the 80's; Anna Maria Lopez ended at USC to play volleyball

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:34 Jim

12:34

[Comment From RobinRobin: ]

How do you like the turf fields vs grass fields?

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:34 Robin

12:36

i am totally for grass fields that are maintained...i am a purist for soccer and it needs to be played on good grass...but, turf fields are put in for entirely different reasons that just the sport itself

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:36

12:36

in all of europe (except freezing areas) all soccer is played on grass

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:36

12:37

Did you ever have a significant injury, Tiffeny? If not, to what do you give the credit? Grass fields? Conditioning? Luck?

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:37

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[Comment From RobinRobin: ]

Were most of the fields during your international and professional experience grass?

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:38 Robin

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i had some ankle sprains....and then a meniscus tear that was repaired...took me about 4 months to come back from that..i would say that i was very lucky for whatever the reasons that i escaped serious injury...could be body, conditioning, grass fields, etc

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:38

12:39

Note to other readers: Don't be shy. Please jump in with a question or comment, just like Jim and Robin.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:39

12:39

yes, most all my career was grass...until the last 5 or 6 years

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:39

12:40

[Comment From TeriTeri: ]

You played for Clive Charles, one of the most respected coaches ever. Talk about your experience with him.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:40 Teri

12:41

what i see is that players who are playing on turf from very young are lacking the close ball control needed to develop....the turf plays out way too fast for young players to get the proper touches on the ball...it's okay to play on turf when you have all that skill development under your belt, such as a professional...but, it can be detrimental when you don't have the skill..i train my players on grass for those reasons

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:41

12:43

what isn't there to say about clive? i don't think i have enough time today...ha ha..but, i just was so fortunate to be around him since age 8...developed by him, trained by him, mentored by him...i am the person, soccer player and coach today because of him

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:43

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there isn't a day that goes by that i don't hear his accented voice in my head...and feel his love in my heart...he passed away way too soon for us all..

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:45

12:47

.While Tiffeny is typing...a quick comment from Kristen.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:47

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[Comment From KristenKristen: ]

Tiffeny, I just want to say how great it was to watch you play in the Olympics and World Cup. Do you think that Title IX (1972) was helpful in getting women's soccer in the Olympics in time for you to be able to play less than 25 years later?

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:47 Kristen

12:49

thank you so much for the support

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:49

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i believe title XI was instrumental in pushing sports forward for women...i mean, women played before title XI but, it fast tracked things because it couldn't be ignored

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:50

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[Comment From AJAJ: ]

Would you say there are more college scholarship opportunities for girls now than say in the 90's? Are women's programs sending recruiters to watch high school and club sports?

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:50 AJ

12:51

still to this day decisions aren't being made and things aren't being done even though it is the law

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:51

12:52

yes, of course there are most college scholarships now...i don't even have the exact figures, but, just from being in it all these years, and the number of division 1 schools with teams is staggering

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:52

12:52

and yes, college teams recruit all the time

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:52

12:53

[Comment From JimJim: ]

Title IX doesn't make everything right; it does give us all the chance, the opportunity, to get sports as right as they can be. We have to be good stewards and keep pushing forward

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:53 Jim

12:53

at the club and high school level...but, going back to your earlier question AJ, they are headed to club tournaments the most

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:53

12:54

exactly right, jim...just because things are law doesn't mean people act...so, yes, we have to be the people that act!

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:54

12:55

i know i act by the way i coach my players..just as clive treated me and all the "girls" he coached.....he wanted us to play and he coached us like BOYS!

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:55

12:57

[Comment From JimJim: ]

Last spring I attended an event in Eugene where the U of O honored letter winners who never received their letters prior to 1980. ESPN's Shelly Smith was the keynote speaker. her daughter had just graduated U of O as a Soccer player...change can always happen.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:57 Jim

12:57

[Comment From AJAJ: ]

Thank you, Tiffeny, for being a trailblazer and paving the way. It seems as though my daughter does not lack for opportunities to participate in sports. That didn't seem to be the case for my sisters growing up.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:57 AJ

12:58

In preparation for today, Tiffeny and I were chatting about the pioneering role of Oregon's Rep. Edith Green, a Portland Democrat who was one of few women in Congress in the pre-Title IX days. According to a 1/17/10 article in The Oregonian:

In 1970 Green introduced a higher-education bill with provisions regarding sex equity and held hearings that "are considered the first legislative step toward the enactment of Title IX," according to U.S. Department of Education records.

Also...Although Green wasn't an athlete herself, aside from occasional tennis, Title IX also was an unparalleled breakthrough for women in sports. Girls made up 7 percent of high school athletes before Title IX passed; in 2009 they made up 41 percent.

Green died in 1987 at the age of 77.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:58

12:59

i am glad those women are getting the recognition...i am sure it was very cathartic for them...the biggest pain is not being respected...all anyone ever wants is to be respected...doesn't mean they want to be on tv or play in front of 25,000 fans...they just want the opportunity to play and denying that to anyone is the biggest way you can disrespect anyone

Tuesday May 15, 2012 12:59

1:00

[Comment From JimJim: ]

There was an Oregon version of title IX brought to the floor by Republican Norma Paulas and Democrat Betty Roberts -- imagine both parties working together to day like they did in the 70's

Tuesday May 15, 2012 1:00 Jim

1:00

We're right at 1 pm. Any last questions or comments, readers?

Tuesday May 15, 2012 1:00

1:01

ah, politics...an area i try not to get into...but, again, why wouldn't they work together to form opportunites that transcend shallow reasons

Tuesday May 15, 2012 1:01

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[Comment From JimJim: ]

My last comment is I had 4 sisters; two had Sports opportunity towards the end of their High School years and two didn't. Sports impacted their lives greatly and I will tell you the lack of sports for the two sisters were great motivators in College and professional life!!

Tuesday May 15, 2012 1:01 Jim

1:01

[Comment From MichaelaMichaela: ]

Thank you for your time, Tiffeny!

Tuesday May 15, 2012 1:01 Michaela

1:02

[Comment From PaulPaul: ]

Tiffeny, Do you prefer Twilight or The Hunger Games?

Tuesday May 15, 2012 1:02 Paul

1:02

hi paul...i prefer dexter and mad men!

Tuesday May 15, 2012 1:02

1:02

and breaking bad!

Tuesday May 15, 2012 1:02

1:02

How did you make the decision to retire? Any regrets? And please tell us what you're up to these days

Tuesday May 15, 2012 1:02

1:03

..it's nice to have a wonderful discussion in an area where there really shouldn't have to be discussion!!! right?

Tuesday May 15, 2012 1:03

1:04

i made the decision to retire because i wanted to coach and i didn't want to have to pack my bags again to go play on the east coast...i guess all things pointed to me staying west and starting to give to young players on a full time basis...i can tell you what, i have learned so much by being a coach...i owe that to my players! it's been phenomenal...no, i don't regret retiring when i have accomplished everything i could as a player

Tuesday May 15, 2012 1:04

1:05

Thanks to everyone for reading and chatting. Thanks to Tiffeny.. And, on behalf of everyone here, Happy Birthday this fall, Tiffeny. Title IX and you will both be 40!

The last word is yours.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 1:05

1:07

whaaaat? 40??? no, really it's only a number...but, hey, everyone keep on celebrating the advancements and the truly amazing female athletes...and also stay a part of moving it forward!! that's all for now...have a great day.

Tuesday May 15, 2012 1:07

1:07

Check back later today for an edited transcript. Signing off...

Tuesday May 15, 2012 1:07

1:46