DSU defends dropping equestrian team
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
By: Tom Byrne
tbyrne@whyy.org
Lawyers for Delaware State University argue the school is not violating Title IX by dropping its women's equestrian squad at the end of the school year.
In DSU's response to separate requests from team members and recruit Melia Blakely for a preliminary injunction to prevent Delaware State from dropping the program, school attorneys claim the school satisfies prong two of the three prong Title IX test, showing a history and continuing practice of program expansion for women.
DSU's lawyers point to participation numbers from the Department of Education which show Delaware State has gone from 83 female student-athletes in 2004 to 177 in 2009. That's raised the percentage of female student-athletes in its athletic department from 32 to 44 percent during that period.
Delaware State also argues that it is offsetting the discontinuation of the equestrian program by starting a competitive cheer squad in 2010/2011, adding they have already hired a coach, will conduct tryouts for the team in May and have budgeted $100,000 for the program. The school believes the cheer squad could add up to 50 new athletic opportunities for women, a net gain even after the 20 lost equestrian spots are factored in.
WHYY examined the Title IX lawsuits DSU faces over its decision to drop the equestrian program last week on FIRST.
I don't see how reinstating a team that participated in the MEAC Championships as late as 2007 and dropping an existing team demonstrates a history and continuing practice of program expansion.
Another factor to consider scholarship opportunities. There are 12 scholarships associated with the Equestrian Team. Will there be any for the "new" Cheer Team? Probably not, when the budget is $100K. The average Women's head coaches salary is $60K. The costs for any assistant coaches, uniforms, supplies, recruiting, travel expenses, etc. could easily eat up the remainder. Even if it didn't, the average full instate fees ar earound $15K. At most, there could only be 2 full scholarships. Is this really an advance for women's athletic participation??
Statistics can be used to show almost anything. During the years mentioned, the percentage of women students grew from 58.8% to 59.7%, yet the women's athlete population decreased from 48.7% to 46.1%. (statistics come from US DOE Equity in Sports web site)
DSU also failed to mention that there at least 15 women that have been accepted for next year that planned to be part of the team.