NCAA News Archive - 2001

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Women's committee focuses on emerging-sports procedures


Nov 5, 2001 2:47:25 PM


The NCAA News

The topic of emerging sports was at the forefront of the Committee on Women's Athletics agenda at the committee's October 16-17 meeting in Wilmington, North Carolina.

The committee recommended to the Management Councils in all three divisions that rugby be identified as an emerging sport for women. The committee noted that it had received the required 10 letters of support from member institutions and that all other established criteria had been met to permit the committee to recommend rugby's addition to the emerging-sport list.

The committee also recommended that NCAA legislation be amended to clarify how NCAA rules apply to emerging sports. The group wants new legislation that removes references to particular calendar years and replaces it with language such as "year one, year two," etc. The original intent of the existing legislation (Bylaw 3.2.4.4.1) was to permit institutions adding emerging sports to have a "phase-in period" for the application of NCAA rules, and the committee believes that the phase-in is still a good way to encourage institutions to sponsor new varsity sports for women.

In another related action, the committee recommended that Bylaw 18.2.4.1 permitting the establishment of women's championships once sponsorship reached 40 be amended to extend the exception through the 2008-09 academic year.

The committee noted that the intent of the original legislation was to promote gender equity by providing for the establishment of new women's championships. The committee believes that need still exists -- both on the institutional level and the national level -- and particularly as the expansions of men's championships continue.

The committee also clarified its previous recommendation that the CWA periodically recommend the creation of ad hoc committees to develop NCAA legislation for emerging sports. The CWA has recommended that it be charged with identifying sports that would benefit from ad hoc committees under the oversight of the Management Councils in all three divisions.

The committee recommended creation of such committees if the sport:

Is sponsored at the varsity level by at least 25 NCAA member institutions;

Has experienced growth when national trends over the past five years are considered;

Possesses future growth potential;

Has youth and age-based elite programs;

Shows the ability to serve diverse populations of student-athletes;

Possesses the potential to assist member institutions with gender-equity needs;

Has potential to assist gender equity in NCAA championships opportunities; and

Shows active NCAA membership interest.

The committee also recommended that each ad hoc committee consist of four members, including one member from each division and one representative from the national governing body (or appropriate equivalent) for the sport. The committee further recommended that at least one coach and at least one athletics administrator be appointed among the four members.

In another action, the committee recommended that an ad hoc committee be created for the emerging sport of bowling. The CWA noted that 39 NCAA member institutions sponsor the sport at the varsity level, with one NCAA member conference sponsoring the sport as a conference championship sport. The committee further noted that the sport met the criteria the CWA had recommended for such an ad hoc committee.

Other highlights

Committee on Women's Athletics
October 16-17/Wilmington, North Carolina

Reviewed the NCAA senior woman administrator (SWA) job description as recently amended. The committee commended NCAA President Cedric W. Dempsey for appointing this position and for continuing to review and revise the job description as appropriate. The committee will continue to review this position.

Reviewed the planning document for developing the NCAA national office's gender-equity plan, the working timeline for development of the plan and the definition of gender equity for national office use.

Discussed the future of the NCAA Title IX Seminar and recommended that the site be rotated annually to ensure that each quadrant of the country hosts the seminar once every four years.

Discussed the U.S. Department of Education Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) form and requested that NCAA staff work with the Department of Education (DOE) to determine the time frame for making revisions to the form. The committee would like the DOE to change the due date of the form for institutions so that university year-end financial reports are available for those completing the form. The committee also would like the DOE to add a signature line on the form for the institutional SWA.

Reviewed concerns raised by the membership regarding the pregnancy language in the NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook. The committee forwarded those concerns to the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports, asking that it provide a response to the CWA regarding those concerns.

Requested that the NCAA Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity Issues direct a review of the appointment process for Division I Management Council representatives. The committee expressed concern that diversity minimums have become maximums.

Appointed two CWA members to work with members of the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee (MOIC) to review proposals related to new diversity education workshops. Those individuals are Peggy Bradley-Doppes and Marcia Saneholz. The CWA also appointed two members to work with the MOIC on the NCAA Summit on Athletics Opportunities for Minority Women. Those members are Jacqueline D. McWilliams and Frank Pergolizzi.


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