Title IX questions surround recent cuts
John Bojarski
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Sports
Last update: 2/4/10 at 1:00 AM EST
Ensuring compliance with Title IX was a concern in the decision to axe four men's sports teams, Duquesne University Athletic Director Greg Amodio said in a published interview last week.
Amodio, who has not responded to interview requests from The Duke, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the cuts would ensure long-term compliance with the federal mandate and would leave more money for the remaining teams. Amodio's comments ended three days of silence after the cuts were announced last Monday.
Title IX is a law that aims to prevent gender discrimination in higher education. In Duquesne's case, this means that spending for men's and women's athletics programs should be proportionate to the school's male and female populations.
Phil Racicot, associate athletic director for administration, said the decision to cut the teams was mainly based on the economy, but that Title IX was unavoidable.
"[It's] always an issue," he said.
In response to the economic recession in 2008, the University initiated a financial review of the athletic department, and asked the department to modify its budget. Racicot said the review revealed the potential benefits for cutting the men's teams and redistributing the funds within the athletic department.
According to Racicot, there are several reasons why the department decided to cut men's swimming, wrestling, baseball and golf, including facility limitations and an inability for competitive success.Racicot also believes that fewer sports on campus will enhance the "athlete experience" for the remaining athletes.
Amodio was not available for an interview because, according to the athletic department, he was out of town.
Eric Pearson, chairman of College Sports Council, a group dedicated to saving college sports programs and reforming Title IX, said he has seen a trend develop over the past 10 years of schools dropping men's sports because of Title IX.
Although the threat of a lawsuit can drive a university to modify its athletic programs for Title IX, Pearson said there are other reasons as well. Complaints can be filed with the federal Office for Civil Rights. The NCAA also reevaluates Title IX compliance every five years.
Amodio, who has not responded to interview requests from The Duke, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the cuts would ensure long-term compliance with the federal mandate and would leave more money for the remaining teams. Amodio's comments ended three days of silence after the cuts were announced last Monday.
Title IX is a law that aims to prevent gender discrimination in higher education. In Duquesne's case, this means that spending for men's and women's athletics programs should be proportionate to the school's male and female populations.
Phil Racicot, associate athletic director for administration, said the decision to cut the teams was mainly based on the economy, but that Title IX was unavoidable.
"[It's] always an issue," he said.
In response to the economic recession in 2008, the University initiated a financial review of the athletic department, and asked the department to modify its budget. Racicot said the review revealed the potential benefits for cutting the men's teams and redistributing the funds within the athletic department.
According to Racicot, there are several reasons why the department decided to cut men's swimming, wrestling, baseball and golf, including facility limitations and an inability for competitive success.Racicot also believes that fewer sports on campus will enhance the "athlete experience" for the remaining athletes.
Amodio was not available for an interview because, according to the athletic department, he was out of town.
Eric Pearson, chairman of College Sports Council, a group dedicated to saving college sports programs and reforming Title IX, said he has seen a trend develop over the past 10 years of schools dropping men's sports because of Title IX.
Although the threat of a lawsuit can drive a university to modify its athletic programs for Title IX, Pearson said there are other reasons as well. Complaints can be filed with the federal Office for Civil Rights. The NCAA also reevaluates Title IX compliance every five years.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Aaron Matthews
posted 2/05/10 @ 9:31 PM EST
If Duquesne really thinks that that proportionality is the best way to reach equality, then why is the school more heavily female? Why not cut 10% of the females so that the population matches that of the state and/or nation?
I'm sure all of the Feminists would be so very pleased they've decided to expand the program they push so hard. (Continued…)
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