def parse_arguments(arguments):
"Parse command line arguments. Returns the tuple (options, (gender,))."
option_parser = race_display_options(GenderedOptionParser())
option_parser.add_option("-c", "--conference", help="Include schools from "
"only the specified conference.")
option_parser.add_option("-d", "--dist-limit", help="Minimum race "
"distance.", type="int")
option_parser.add_option("-f", "--filter", help="Include or exclude the "
"specified schools.")
option_parser.add_option("-p", "--previous-years", default=0, type="int")
option_parser.add_option("-y", "--year", default=date.today().year,
type="int")
options, arguments = option_parser.parse_args(arguments[1:])
index = count()
try:
connect(options.server)
gender = arguments[next(index)]
except IndexError:
option_parser.error("")
except ConnectionError, error:
option_parser.error(error)
