UD ends men’s cross country and track and field as varsity sports

The University of Delaware is reclassifying two varsity programs as club sports, as a result of its study that looked at competitiveness, fiscal responsibility and compliance with Title IX gender equity guidelines. 

 

Men’s outdoor track and field and men’s cross country at UD will no longer compete at the NCAA-sanctioned varsity level, according to Athletic and Recreation Services Director Bernard Muir.

The changes will take effect at the end of the current academic year. 

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University of Delaware athletics administration, office of General Counsel and senior level administration spent several months examining the issue. 

Muir said the study came back with two main alternatives:  “Either we had to continue the periodic expansion of programming for women in order to be responsive to their interest and ability, or adjust the current offerings to provide equitable and substantially proportionate participation opportunities for our men and women. Continued expansion of our Athletics program is not feasible in this financial climate, and given that reality, the University made the only decision it could.”

What is known as Title IX became federal law in 1972, with the goal of banning gender discrimination in schools, including athletics.

The decision leaves Delaware with 21 varsity-level sports.

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