Introduction: 4 Since the 1972 passage of Title IX legislation, gender equity within intercollegiate athletics has 5 remained a primary issue of importance (and some debate) among administrators, coaches, 6 athletes, their parents, and even spectators. During the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, thousands of 7 female intercollegiate athletic programs were added within U.S. colleges and universities in 8 order to comply with federal law and, in the spirit of the law, provide gender equity regarding 9 athletic opportunities for college women. From their origin, many of these athletic programs 10 chose to adopt Gender Specific Athletic Mascots (GSAM’s) such as Lady Techsters, Wild 11 Kittens, Duchesses, or Lady Vol’s (Fuller & Manning, 1987, p. 65).