LANSING, Mich. — Today, United Wholesale Mortgage announced a $500 per month athletics scholarship available for all members of Michigan State University’s Spartans football and men’s basketball teams. Despite many top-level female student-athletes studying and playing at Michigan State within various sections of the University’s athletics program, none are eligible for this aid. In response, state Reps. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) – Chair of the Michigan Progressive Women’s Caucus – and Mari Manoogian (D-Birmingham) – a former MSU club figure skater – released the following statements:
“It’s beyond disappointing to see that United Wholesale Mortgage is only investing in MSU’s male athletes,” said Rep. Pohutsky. “In 2021, this sort of blatant sexism is unacceptable. All athletes, regardless of their gender, should have the same opportunities and be invested in.”
“Nearly 50 years after Title IX was signed into law, it’s incredibly disappointing and downright shocking that United Wholesale Mortgage chose to exclude talented female student-athletes at Michigan State University from being eligible for the $500 per month that members of the football and men’s basketball teams will be receiving for this coming academic year,” said Rep. Manoogian. “UWM’s leadership should expand this opportunity to athletes who play on teams that are not all-male.”
The UWM scholarship was enabled due to a recent change in Michigan law enabling college student-athletes to profit from their names, images, and likenesses; it is not directly affiliated with or managed through the University or its athletics program.
###