NCAA Response to OU's Cuts

"If the sole goal is to get into compliance with Title IX, there are fairly simple ways to gain compliance."

Reply from NCAA regarding the Cutting of Sports at OU
"Kearns, Jennifer"

Hi,

Thank you for contacting the NCAA. We are aware of the sports being cut at Ohio University. The NCAA believes that participation in athletics for young men and women provides opportunities for personal growth in terms of attitudes and experiences that lead to successful careers and citizenship. At the same time, we also understand that colleges and universities are facing tremendous financial pressures. The truth is that except for a few universities in Division I whose revenues continue to outpace expenditures, most athletics administrators are struggling to balance their budgets and many athletics departments are allocating money from limited resources.

Every Title IX expert will tell you that when a university says it is cutting sports to get into compliance with Title IX, the financial situation of the department was probably at the core of the decision. If the sole goal is to get into compliance with Title IX, there are fairly simple ways to gain compliance. Adding a team, for example, would bring a school into compliance, at least for the time being. The NCAA has to believe that when its member institutions begin cutting sports, they have evaluated their situation, looked at their resources, and have their reasons for choosing that route.

In a perfect world, there would be limitless opportunities for athletics participation at every school. But individual institutions have to determine what is best solution for their individual situations.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to contact me if you have other questions or concerns.

Thank you,
Jennifer
Jennifer Kearns
Associate Director of Public and Media Relations
National Collegiate Athletic Association Phone: (317) 917-6731 Fax: (317) 917-6982 jkearns@ncaa.org http://www.ncaa.org/