As Utah school districts refine their approaches to gender equity in athletics, leaders say their work hinges on transparent reporting, consistent evaluation and a commitment to the spirit — not just the letter — of Title IX. The federal law, passed in 1972, requires schools to provide equal opportunities for male and female students. In terms of athletics, that can include participation, facilities, funding and opportunities.

State law echoes that expectation. Under Utah Code 53G-6-1101 in 2024, school athletic directors must annually report participation numbers, spending, facilities comparisons and compliance efforts to their local boards. When discrepancies exceed 10%, schools need to outline an action plan.

Participation: Not Just Numbers

Canyons School District Director of High Schools Tom Sherwood said the District is on solid footing. 

“Title IX, I think we do a good job,” he said, emphasizing proportional participation remains a guiding metric.

Canyons’ athletics range from a 1% proportionality difference at Brighton High to 8% at Hillcrest High. As Hillcrest enrolled more girls than boys this year, its participation percentages shifted, he said.

“We’d like it to be closer, but all our schools total less than 10%,” Sherwood said.

Districts must report participation numbers annually, but no standardized format exists. He said that creates inconsistencies statewide.

“There's different districts interpreting Title IX differently, so I'm doing it how the spirit of the law intended,” Sherwood said.

Local school districts continue refining their approaches to gender equity in sports, with surveys of interest to introduce new sanctioned sports such as lacrosse. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Canyons’ approach counts all sanctioned sports, ensuring opportunities for girls are measured alongside boys, even when the sport is traditionally male dominated. 

A key difference among districts is whether they count traditionally one-gender sports. For example, some districts omit football from calculations because there is no girls' equivalent, but Sherwood disagrees.

“It should be participation. I know that's how the universities interpret participation,” he said. 

This year, drill was offered to male athletes to compete; football, baseball and cheer are also open to both genders. 

“When people are doing those reports, they should be listing those sports under mixed,” said Rob Cluff, Utah High School Activities Association executive director, who said the only UHSAA girls-only sanctioned sport is softball.

In Jordan School District, participation gaps range from 0.12% at Copper Hills High to 9.5% at Riverton High. Jordan District Athletics and Activities Director Bryan Veazie said this is the first time in four years the reports have been generated where no school exceeded the 10% threshold.

Veazie said since UHSAA identifies football, baseball, cheer and drill as non-gender specific “and both boys and girls can participate in those sports, they're not factored into Title IX.” 

He said the goal is to balance the participation rate by expanding girls’ rosters and creating sub-varsity teams, not by reducing boys’ opportunities.

“We don't want to take away opportunities that already exist to meet a number requirement. I would rather spend our time and effort into finding ways to encourage girls to come out and be a part of the programs,” Veazie said.

Granite School District faces larger gaps: from 7.49% at Olympus High to 22.5% at Kearns High. Only three Granite schools fall under the 10% mark this year. Athletic Specialist Aaron Whitehead said participation can shift quickly when coaching or team structure changes.

He pointed to Skyline High’s drop in girls tennis participation after the program discontinued an underclassmen academy. Losing 41 female athletes pushed the school over the threshold.

“So, when we see there's a discrepancy of more than 10%, we come up with a plan,” he said.

Murray School District’s lone high school reported a 6% gap — despite offering one more girls sport than boys. Murray High Athletic Director Brady Smith said participation, not offerings alone, drives compliance.

Cluff said UHSAA generates its own participation reports and does not use the school district numbers. None of the reports include unified sports. 

He added districts determine whether to introduce new sports sanctioned by UHSAA and to ensure balance with Title IX; currently, mountain biking and pickleball are on the emerging sports threshold.

Murray last added boys volleyball after evaluating interest, facilities and startup costs. Murray opted not to add boys or girls lacrosse because of limited interest. 

Granite supports lacrosse only at Skyline and Olympus, where demand exists, and allows students from other schools to compete at those high schools.

Facilities: Access and Equity

Title IX compliance requires equal access to facilities, coaching and equipment. Granite, as other districts, conducts an annual facilities audit. Granite District’s girls wrestling, for example, has expanded so many schools now employ separate boys and girls coaches.

Facility access is a critical part of equity, Whitehead said.

“Are they available to both boys and girls? And then, are they available on an equivalent basis?” he said.

Local districts aim to foster an environment that encourages female athletic participation as seen at a cross country meet at Cottonwood Complex. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Whitehead cited disparities such as girls wrestling teams practicing after boys in the same room and now, many rotate their practices. At Kearns High, separate wrestling rooms ensure equitable conditions.

Similarly, girls soccer and football scheduling must be flexible so girls have stadium access when they’re not playing on grass.

“Some are very equal with it; I believe our schools are making strides,” Whitehead said.

Granite Superintendent Ben Horsley said the annual data has shaped capital planning.

“It shows us where our greatest needs and disparities are and helps us with our capital planning in terms of making sure that we're providing equitable facilities across the board for both sexes,” he said.

Granite is upgrading Taylorsville High’s softball facility with restrooms and a press box to match baseball. Canyons is upgrading Jordan High’s softball field similarly.

Murray School District Title IX Coordinator Darren Dean said facility reviews cover fields, locker rooms and their overall quality.

“We have some things that are excellent, some average, but nothing I've seen that's poor,” he said. “We'll have a nice new softball field when Riverview (Junior High’s rebuild, where Murray High plays) gets done.”

Funding and Cost: Ensuring a Level Playing Field

At Murray High, Smith said funding is equalized across sports. The school leveled sport-by-sport budgets and now asks coaches to include costs in participation fees and to fundraise to offset any additional needs.

In Jordan District, Veazie’s report shows girls sports receive more per-student funding than boys — $1,385.53 compared to $930.40 — because of fixed costs such as transportation and officials. 

He said smaller teams, which often are girls teams, have higher per-athlete expenses, and drill, which previously was a female sport, is typically the most expensive activity.

Canyons also ensures proportional spending 

“It's exactly the same amount of money to play girls basketball as boys basketball,” Sherwood said.

Expanding Opportunities: Listening to Students

Districts are surveying students to measure interest in emerging sports. Canyons will survey all girls in grades 8-11 this school year. 

“We survey them regularly and say, ‘are you playing sports and which ones and if you're not playing sports, which ones could we offer that might make you change your mind?’” Sherwood said.

Past surveys showed interest in archery and bowling — sports which could boost girls’ participation even without UHSAA sanctioning, he said.

The reports help not only to boost equity, but Smith said it strengthens accountability and transparency.

“We’re able to use that information and make sure we’re making equitable decisions,” he said.

Sherwood said while in recent years, school districts have come a long way, it’s still ongoing to find balance and opportunity. 

“It ultimately comes down to doing our best to treat the sports equally,” he said. 

Whitehead said it’s not just numbers, but it’s also about creating a culture for a positive student experience. 

“I’m an advocate for kids and it's just our role to make sure they can have every opportunity to succeed,” he said. 

Veazie agrees: “It allows us to put our kids in places they love, to be doing the sports they love and competing at the highest level they can.”