Byline: Travis Miller Daily Herald Sports Writer
One week before the state high school girls sectional swim meet earlier this month, Glenbard West freshmen Camille March and Catherine Davit had the same dream as hundreds of girls throughout Illinois - to qualify for the state championship meet.
But making those dreams a reality was going to be difficult, the two knew. Some of those difficulties arose from the fact that March and Davit must train on their own with the B.R. Ryall YMCA club team in Glen Ellyn, because their high school has no swim team and no swimming pool.
It is a situation both had hoped to change by getting involved in a Title IX complaint filed against Glenbard Township District 87 two years ago, before the girls were even in high school. But the complaint, and their hopes to qualify, were dashed.
'I just really wanted a team, so I was glad they (filed the complaint),' Davit said. 'We all went to the meetings last year, but it didn't really do anything.'
March, too, hoped the complaint would one day lead to a team and possibly even a pool at Glenbard West.
'Illinois is one of the biggest swimming states in the country and the Glenbard district is pretty rich,' March said. 'Some of the smallest schools in Illinois have teams and we don't.'
Although the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights rejected the complaint and the school did not add a swim team or build a swimming pool - which would have cost the district about $1 million - it did result in some districtwide changes.
Last year the district instituted a formal process to add sports. Any parent, student or staff member may submit to the superintendent a petition with 25 names and a background letter supporting the addition of a sport. The superintendent then decides whether to form a study group, which could recommend the school board add the sport.
During the 2000-01 school year, the Glenbard schools offered as many as 10 sports for girls and 12 sports for boys. Some sports not offered at the Glenbard schools include girls golf, bowling, water polo and swimming.
Swimmers such as March and Davit are allowed to compete in the Illinois High School
Association state series with qualifying times from club meets. Eleven girls in the district competed in swimming during the 2000- 01 school year, according to district figures.
Between five and 10 high school-age girls competed with Ryall during the fall because their high school does not offer swimming, club coach Bob Strube said.
'When I first took the job, I was shocked to learn what the people pay in taxes (to the school district) and they don't have a swimming pool,' Strube said. 'But once you build one for one high school, you have to build one for the other three. They're about 10 years late.'
Coaches of other girls sports in the district came to the defense of Glenbard, insisting that equity between girls and boys sports has been met.
'I think the schools are doing everything humanly possible to make it equal,' said Glenbard North softball coach Jim McKinney, who also has coached girls and boys basketball, football and track during his 31 years in the district.
'Cost is a big factor. It's tough to jump in there with both feet and keep adding levels and sports,' McKinney said. 'As a coach and parent and someone in the community, you would like to have more and more. But after a while you have to take a step back and look at it.'
Longtime Glenbard South softball and volleyball coach Bill Voves said he believes District 87 has answered all the Title IX issues to the best of its ability.
'I feel we've had people in charge who understand the value of athletics, not only for the students but for the school as a whole,' Voves said. 'They look at sports as a great opportunity for girls.'
