Swimcloud

Slippery Rock Settles Title IX Suit -

In Pennsylvania, Slippery Rock University, agreed to set aside $300,000 to enhance women's sports and be monitored for three years to ensure compliance with Title IX.  The suit followed a July ruling by the U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose that the school must reinstate women's water polo and swimming.

The Women's Law Project's Susan Frietsche explained, "The school has agreed not to treat their women athletes as second-class citizens and they deserve credit for this settlement as well.

"A banner day for college swimming!" proclaimed CSCAA Executive Director Phillip Whitten, who also added, “Presumably Ms Fietsche was not comparing them to the male swimmers who, if the women swimmers were second-class citizens, surely must be reckoned as third-class citizens."

Last year the school announced it was cutting eight sports -- five men’s and three women’s. The women’s sports were swimming, water polo and field hockey. When a coalition of women athletes protested, the school reinstated field hockey. So the swimming and water polo teams sued in federal cort.

Last July, U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose ruled that the school must reinstate the two aquatic teams. Yesterday, Slippery Rock announced it would comply with the ruling.

Beth Choike, the 20 year-old swim team captain and the lead plaintiff, called the lawsuit "a worthwhile fight.''

"It was a long process. It's nice to see the resolution and the school finally settle what we went to court for,'' said Choike.

The settlement also includes substantial improvements to the softball field, new and improved women's locker rooms, equal availability of medical and training personnel and facilities for women athletes, and equitable compensation for women's team coaches.

Comments