Leveling the playing field How athletic administrators and coaches can encourage females to embrace strength training By Kim Ledford & Chris Hobbs, contributing writers Athletic opportunities for female student-athletes have exponentially increased since the passage of Title IX. In the face of these opportunities is still the stark reality that female student-athletes feel like intruders in the male-dominated athletics realm. While the teams available to females continue to grow and participation numbers rise, athletic administrators and coaches must be intentional about the experience of the female student-athletes in their schools. Nowhere is this truer than in the weight room. Ask any athletic administrator about the goals for their department, and it's likely that the weight room is on the list. Whether it's a new space, equipment or hiring a certified strength coach, athletic administrators are 30 FEBRUARY 2019 keenly aware that strength training is a key component of maximizing a student-athlete's performance. Wise leaders take special measures to make sure that female student-athletes are just as engaged in the pursuit of athletic excellence in the weight room as male studentathletes. Athletic administrators and strength coaches can utilize these four 'Cs' to level the playing field for females in the weight room. Complications The most uncomfortable part of a workout for female student-athletes is psychological. The popular culture of today glamorizes female athletes that are lean and toned,