National Collegiate Athletic Association

NCAA News Archive - 2010

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Apr 13, 2010 9:18:50 AM

Delaware State will postpone by one year the elimination of equestrian in the wake of a federal lawsuit filed by team members.

The school announced earlier this year that it would eliminate equestrian and men's tennis to save about $700,000 and bring the department's budget more in line with other schools in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Delaware State added equestrian four years ago, and officials said that the reprieve is for the next academic year only.

"That will allow the equestrians who will be seniors during the 2010-11 season to complete their academic journey as a part of the equestrian team," said Delaware State spokesman Carlos Holmes. "It will also give underclassmen another year to be on the equestrian team and an additional year for them to make decisions, and to make plans for either staying at Delaware State or transferring to another school that may have an equestrian program."

Shortly after the teams were cut, a group of 15 equestrian student-athletes and a recruit sued the school, arguing the elimination of equestrian would place the athletics department in violation of Title IX. The suit brought by the recruit was settled confidentially.

Attorneys for the remaining plaintiffs told local media that the Delaware State decision allows their clients to continue to compete while the case is litigated.