I graduated from the University of Florida in 1975 with a degree in physical education. There were very few teaching jobs back then. I subbed,  coached and managed one of the beach-clubs in my home town  for two years. After working as a newspaper route manager, which didn’t work out, I came back to New England where I was born and became an aquatics director at the Lowell Boys Club.

At the boys club I taught and coached swimming. In 1980 the Lowell Public Schools built a new field house with a new six lane pool. I became the first boys swimming coach at Lowell High. Finally, in 1984 I was hired as a physical education teacher. I taught various levels of PE and retired ten years ago. 

[After] coaching both genders, I can say without any doubt that male swimmers have distinct advantages over female swimmers. Male swimmers are, by and large, taller than female swimmers, giving them a longer stroke. Male swimmers have stronger arms, shoulders, chests and legs that give them stronger pulls and kicks. Female swimmers have broader hips and chests, which cause more drag in the water. Anyone thinking these anatomical differences do not matter are fools. Hopefully, at some point, this nonsense will end — sooner rather than later.

I believe women’s sports should be protected because it is just the right thing to do. Title Nine came into being while I was first subbing and coaching. Title Nine has really evolved women’s sports to much greater skill levels. Basketball is a perfect example. The high school, collegiate and now professional level of basketball is so much more of a highly skilled sport than it was more than four decades ago.

I hope this, as well as more-than-two-gender philosophies, eventually go away. Women athletes have to stick together in fighting this.