IU SPORTS PROGRAMS ON TRACK TO EXCEED GENDER EQUITY STANDARDS

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- An ambitious plan that places Indiana University at the forefront nationally in the move toward equity in men's and women's sports was announced June 27 by the university.

With the recent tightening of Title IX regulations, all universities and colleges receiving federal funds are expected to make the requisite changes to expand participation in women's sports.

IU President Myles Brand says, "The university's new plan is an aggressive agenda that acknowledges the true spirit of the law, by ensuring true equality in our support of women's and men's athletics."

Beginning this fall with water polo, IU will start phasing in three new varsity women's sports that will make IU the first Big Ten university, and one of the first major universities in the nation, to reach a 50-50 proportion between men's and women's sports.

The next women's sports to be added will be field hockey in the 2000-2001 academic year and women's crew (rowing) in 2003-2004. The university added women's soccer as a varsity sport in 1993-94.

IU has been in compliance and will continue to be in compliance with the requirements called for under Title IX, which was enacted in 1972 with the passage of the Education Amendment Act, according to IU Athletic Director Clarence Doninger. The Big Ten conference adopted a goal of attaining at least 40 percent female participation in varsity sports by 1997. With the addition of the new women's varsity sports, IU soon will reach a 50-50 ratio.

Currently, male athletes at IU account for 56 percent of all university varsity sports participants, as compared to 44 percent for female athletes. At this time, IU has a more equitable distribution than any other school in the Big Ten conference, except for the University of Michigan.

The plan announced by the university will continue to move toward equalization. "We are wholeheartedly committed to true equity in sports opportunities, not a halfhearted effort," Brand said.

"That goal was constantly in mind during the preparation of the plan. Not only is it the right thing to do, I think it will greatly enhance our already rich athletic tradition, and it will significantly expand the opportunities for future generations of young women to participate in varsity athletics at IU."

Doninger, who recently presided at a university event honoring outstanding former IU female athletes who competed prior to 1972, praised the new plan for "a very desirable goal. This means we will have truly achieved equity in men's and women's sports by 2004."

The recent banquet honoring numerous former IU women athletes was sufficiently unique to attract the attention of area and national news media, and was featured on the MacNeil-Lehrer News Hour during a program on Title IX.

The MacNeil Lehrer program declared that women's sports today at IU are "in great shape, with full schedules."

For more information, contact DeAnna J. Hines, 812-855-4343 or 812-855-3911, djhines@indiana.eduor Kit Klingelhoffer, 812-855-2421, klingel@indiana.edu