The successes of 2012 in women's sports are worth celebrating--but professionals should not forget the important issues that still need to be addressed.

To determine the causes of women's diminishing athletic role, questionnaires were mailed to athletic administrators at colleges and universities across the nation. The responses raised the question of whether strategies to intervene in the decline should solve problems as men perceive them or as women perceive them. (MT)

This longitudinal study revealed that the last 15 years have seen a significant downward change in the percent of female coaches and administrators in college athletics. The need for sex role models and methods which may make a difference in women's representation are discussed. (MT)

The National Collegiate Athletic Association adopted the use of a smaller size basketball for women's intercollegiate and interscholastic play. This article reports on five studies of the effect of the smaller ball on game skills of nearly 2,600 college and high school athletes. (MT)

Eight articles detail changes that have taken place in women's athletics since Title IX took effect in 1976. Included are articles on coaching women's tennis, coaching certification; play for pay, ethnic minorities in sports, competition with men, and women coaches in high school interscholastic competition. (MT)

A collection of articles is offered that examines the history and current status of women in the Olympic Games. Included is a brief historical account of women's participation, criteria for adding sports, examination of women's status, and an explanation of rhythmic gymnastics which was recently added for women. (DF)

Three articles and an introduction address the problem of bringing more women into girls' interscholastic coaching and officiating roles. Three different programs, from Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Colorado, are described. (MT)

Sport and movement skills taught in logical progressions aid in the mastery of prerequisite tasks which can increase success, decrease injuries, and can be used to set goals. Sample progressive lessons for tumbling, vaulting, uneven parallel bars, and balance beams are offered. (DF)

Older women who participate in physical activity programs find physical benefits in the improvement of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. The psychosocial benefits which result from physical activity include an increase in self-esteem, increased social contacts, a counteraction to depression, and improved stress management. Suggestions…

As the popularity of women's athletics has grown over the past decades, women's athletic programs are beginning to expand, and state advisory groups are being formed. A restructuring of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, to ensure representation of girls' athletics, has resulted in improved understanding and opportunities…

As women engage more actively in sports, they develop skills necessary for successful achievements in other areas of life. Areas of concern to women participating in sports are: (1) sport boundaries; (2) sex-specific sport behavior; (3) definition and designation of sport roles; (4) recognition of injustice; and (5) resistance to exploitation. (JN)

Court rulings concerning compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 are reviewed. Resistance to the law in schools and colleges has, in some cases, intimidated teachers and coaches. Progress toward equal opportunity in athletics for women will be slow. (PP)