Gymnastics gender issue gets national exposure
SPASH boy's quest to compete will be featured on CBS News

By Scott Williams
Journal staff


Trust him, this isn't what Keith Michael Bukowski had in mind for his 15 minutes of fame.

Bukowski was thinking more along the lines of standing on a podium accepting some sort of Olympic medal for his moment in the spotlight.

Instead, his fight to compete on the Stevens Point Area Senior High girls gymnastics team has thrown him into the eye of a public storm.

"I'm like, 'This is strange.' I never thought it would get this big, but it's exciting," said Bukowski. "I'm not in it for the attention. It's all kind of shocking."
Like it or not, Bukowski is learning to deal with the spotlight.

Bukowski's debate with the WIAA over his right to compete in girls gymnastics has been picked up by all kinds of news outlets.

After a Journal article, The Associated Press picked up the story, and subsequently it ran in a number of newspapers throughout the state. Next up, WTMJ (620AM) radio in Milwaukee called to interview Bukowski and his mother, Janine Olszewski.

Then came the television stations, including Channel 7 in Wausau, which came to school, followed by a request from Wisconsin Public Radio in Madison.

But the real eye-opener is an interview tentatively scheduled for next week on the "CBS Early Morning Show."
"I thought Channel 7 was a big deal. I'm a little nervous about doing the CBS thing," said Bukowski, who has created a Web site http:freewebs.com/fair-is-fair.
Students walking the halls at SPASH are constantly talking about the issue, too. Many athletes in other sports at the school have expressed support for Bukowski's stance on the subject, he said.

Signing a petition circulating through the school is one avenue students have to show their support.
"I think he should be allowed to play. There are a lot of cases of girls competing in boys sports," said Blake Porter, a senior captain on the hockey team. "I haven't been approached yet, but if they do, I'll probably sign the petition.

"A lot of friends are talking about it at school."
Similar feelings have been expressed by a number of SPASH athletes.

T-shirts are being distributed, which read "Let Keith Compete" on the front and "Fair is Fair" on the back.

Senior tight end Troy Reilly, who has committed to accept a football scholarship offer from the University of Minnesota, agrees with Porter. Reilly was one of the first to get a T-shirt, which he wore to school Thursday.

Josh Pascavis, a senior wrestler and football player for the Panthers, echoed those sentiments.

"I signed the petition because I think he should get the opportunity to compete," Pascavis said. "There was a girl who wrestled at the state meet last year, and if she can do that, he should be able to compete in the sport he wants to."
One segment of the athletic population at the school refusing to discuss the whole situation are the members of the gymnastics team.

Efforts to reach SPASH gymnastics coach Jill Suchowski also have been unsuccessful.

"I kind of wanted to stay out of it," said Jennifer Grubba, a senior captain on the team.

Bukowski is sympathetic about any concerns the gymnasts may have about all the attention he is getting.

"A couple of the gymnasts are saying the situation has been a distraction, which I completely understand. But it still has to happen," he said.

Olszewski is pleased some light has been shed on the issue. But the intense level of interest has caught her off guard.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I expect things to go like this. Not only has it received state attention, but now it's nationwide," Olszewski said. "I'm a little nervous about the attention because that is not me, but I'm glad people have noticed what this is about."
Having made little progress with the WIAA or the school, the next step may be the courts - where an injunction might be sought.

Olszewski has sought advice from the Department of Public Instruction, and is in the process of selecting a lawyer to pursue the matter.

She has been informed to wait until the SPASH gymnastics season begins today before seeking an injunction.

Possible ramifications of an injunction would be shutting down the entire gymnastics season in the state, according to what Olszewski has been told.
"The WIAA messed with the wrong person. If it isn't settled by the time Michael graduates, I'm not going to drop it," said Olszewski.

"I'm mad about how patronizing (the WIAA) have been to me. I'm mad about the runaround we've been getting. But I'm most mad about the way everyone misled my son."
All the attention and publicity has done nothing to change the minds of the WIAA.

Executive Director Doug Chickering remains firm in the organization's stance that allowing boys to compete in a girls sport would have a negative impact on the intent behind Title IX.

"The big question is why girls can compete with boys but boys can't compete on girls' teams, and our position on that has two main points," explained Chickering.

"First, there is the physiological difference, and it is generally acknowledged that boys are faster and stronger, and the courts have accepted that.

"Second, even after 30 years of Title IX, girls are still underrepresented in interscholastic athletics as compared to boys, and to allow a boy to compete on a girls team would displace some of the girls."

Nathan Vine contributed to this article