By Tamsin Hurlbut

There is a long history of rumors regarding the TPA athletic department’s treatment of boys’ versus girls’ sports.

Some say that the girls’ sports receive less attention and funding than the boys’ sports. Others may say that they each get their due amount of both financial and social support. But is TPA’s athletic department really unequal when it comes to spending on sports?

No, according to Tempe Prep administration.

Dr. Porter said, “At TPA, we meet all the basic needs of sports. Sometimes those basic needs cost more or less, but whatever a sport actually needs, we provide.” The decision is not based on gender or sport, he said.

Football and baseball, sports played by predominantly boys, are costly. Each year the football helmets have to be conditioned, for instance, which is expensive.

Football and baseball referees for games also cost a lot. Football is also costly because each year the department must update all the equipment to meet safety standards, whereas, for example, girls volleyball uses much less equipment, and is thus less expensive.

Dr. Porter says, “We do not spend more for football vs. volleyball because we favor one over the other, but simply because football requires more equipment.”

He also says on issues that can be equal, he tries to make them so. “We give new uniforms to teams every few years or so.”

In addition, the athletic department does not pay coaches more or less depending on their sport, but based on experience and longevity of coaching career. The head coach of the volleyball team makes approximately the same amount as the football coach, the cross country head coach and the swim coach, Dr. Porter says.

The TPA athletic department spends funds on the sports equitably but not equally, to ensure the safety and security of the athletes, no matter their gender.