REPORT OF THE

NCAA COMMITTEE ON WOMEN’S ATHLETICS (CWA)

ACTION ITEMS.

· Legislative.

None.

· Nonlegislative.

Association-wide.

a. Membership Sports Sponsorship Demographic Report.

(1) Recommendation. Endorse a recommendation to revise the Membership Sport Sponsorship Report to include the Race and Gender Demographic Report currently compiled by the NCAA research staff.

(2) Effective date. Fall 2007.

(3) Rationale. The membership services and research staff recommends combining the Membership Sport Sponsorship Report with the Race and Gender Demographic Report. The goal of the proposal is to increase efficiency by combining two data collection efforts. Furthermore, inasmuch as the sports sponsorship report is mandatory and the race and gender demographics report is voluntary, combining the two research requests would increase the overall response rate and provide real time data. The committee unanimously approved the recommendation.

(4) Estimated budget impact. None.

(5) Student-athlete impact. None.

b. CWA Appointments.

(1) Recommendation. Approve CWA’s request for the opportunity to review potential members prior to divisional Management Council appointments, to have greater communication with divisional nominating committees and greater awareness of conference nominations. The committee will invite members of the national office governance staff to its January 2007 meeting in Indianapolis to determine if more effective coordination methods can be implemented to address this matter.

(2) Rationale. The committee continues to express concern about the need to ensure ethnic diversity is represented among those appointed to the committee.

(3) Estimated budget impact. None.

(4) Student-athlete impact. None.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.

Association-wide.

1. Male practice players. The committee requested that staff continue to examine legislation related to the issue and provide information to the membership via communication vehicles such as The NCAA News. The committee also inquired about the current position of the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports on this issue. Staff was asked to seek clarification from the U.S. Office for Civil Rights on the definition of “participant” and whether or not male practice players are considered participants under Title IX. Based on this premise, if male practice players continue to be allowed the following guidelines should be considered:

a. First and foremost, it is critical that all male practice players must be NCAA certified to participate as all other student-athletes.

b. Second, male practice players should be provided appropriate medical coverage to ensure the health and safety of their experience.

c. Third, male practice players should only be allowed to be used if that particular team already carries a number of female participants that is equal to or exceeds the average squad size listed for that team as determined by the NCAA.

d. Fourth, male practice players should only be allowed in the championship season.

e. Fifth, the use of male practice players should be limited to two hours per week, not to exceed three at one time, in a drill or practice setting in any sport during the championship season.

f. The CWA is committed to providing equitable practice and competitive opportunities for female student-athletes as part of its mission. In support of this, the CWA believes that the use of male practice players is in conflict with this mission.

2. NCAA Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity Issues update. The committee was informed that the April in-person meeting was postponed until June 27 and now will be conducted as a telephone conference. The committee affirmed the importance of its reporting relationship to the subcommittee in the governance structure. The committee also expressed concern that the June 27 agenda does not include committee updates from the Committee on Women’s Athletics and NCAA Minority Opportunity and Interests Committee.

3. National office senior woman administrator (SWA) update. Judy Sweet provided an update to the committee that the title of director of education outreach will change to director of women’s initiatives and student-athlete well-being. There is a requirement for a demonstrated commitment to gender equity and Title IX for the vacant senior vice president for championships and director of women’s initiatives and student-athlete well-being. President Brand will determine who among the president’s cabinet will be designated the new national office SWA. The committee was encouraged to provide recommendations for the aforementioned vacant positions. Additionally, the education services group will report as part of the governance, membership services and research group. The committee was notified that the request for funding for the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators/Higher Education Resource Services Level II program has been approved.

4. Emerging sports update. The committee requested that staff provide clarification about the process for applying the “sunset clause” for those emerging sports that have not made reasonable progress toward being a championship sport during their legislated 10-year period. While the CWA is not in a position to enforce legislation, it seeks to stimulate discussion and action to ensure the current legislation is followed.

5. Transgender and transsexual issues in intercollegiate athletics update. The committee received an update on transgender and transsexual matters, including instances arising at institutions within the Association. First, the committee will seek input from the Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity issues. Secondly, in order to satisfy continued requests from the membership to address this issue, the committee will continue to depend on national office staff to address eligibility, championships competition, medical and legal questions. The committee also will review policies and best practices established by other higher education organizations.

6. Evaluating the hiring of women in athletics. The committee continued discussions about the potential development of a hiring report card to track progress for women and ethnic minority women in athletics, similar to those conducted by the Black Coaches Association (BCA) and Richard Lapchick. After staff discussions with the BCA, the committee remains committed to collaborative efforts with those who have already undertaken similar efforts.

7. Women Coaches Academy update. With eight Women Coaches Academies (WCA) conducted to date, the committee received an update about recently conducted WCA’s. The curriculum for Dimensions One and Two includes coaching strategies and methods, communication skills, diversity training and Title IX education. The WCA continues to emphasize education for practical, transferable skills for the purpose of increasing retention of women in the intercollegiate athletics coaching profession. Participants frequently discuss, among other items, the common experience of struggling to balance professional and personal life commitments. The program has received such notoriety that registration waiting lists have to be used in response to the overwhelming interest of coaches desiring to participate. There was discussion about the possibility of offering “a la carte” sessions to respond to the needs of graduates returning to the program toward career advancement within intercollegiate athletics (e.g., administration).

8. Branding and communications update. The committee received an update from members of the national office branding and communications staff regarding the initiatives undertaken by that group, especially concerning women’s athletics. The staff has advocated for women in athletics through its public service announcement campaign and by working with the ESPN network to feature the 2005 NCAA Woman of the Year award winner. The committee applauded the staff for their continued efforts. The staff expressed gratitude for the committee’s support and honest feedback.

9. National office general counsel update. The committee received an update from the national office associate general counsel regarding gender equity and Title IX-related legal matters within the Association.

10. Woman of the Year update. The committee received an update about the status of the newly implemented nomination process and requested that staff make the timeline earlier for the 2007 award process. The committee also requested that participation and demographic reports be provided at the October meeting.

11. Diversity Leadership Strategic Planning Committee (DLSPC) update. The committee chair provided an update about the progress of the DLSPC. The DLSPC is examining hiring practices and determining how to generate greater accountability in the areas of gender equity and Title IX. The DLSPC’s report will be provided at the 2007 NCAA Convention.

12. Education outreach update. The committee received an update about the 2006 Gender Equity and Issues Forum. The committee discussed future forum dates and frequency, as well as the possibility of including a community service component in 2007. Additionally, the committee expressed their support for the emerging use of Web casting to generate dialogue and provide information about Association-wide issues and educational initiatives. With regard to the 2007 NCAA Convention, the committee recommended that some educational sessions be conducted in a round-table discussion format. With regard to specific topic ideas, the committee suggested sessions about the recruitment, retention and professional development within the coaching profession, and best practices for athletics administrators seeking women and ethnic minority candidates in their hiring processes.

13. Life and Work Balance Task Force update. The committee received an update about the life and work balance task force which exists to actively promote an environment within intercollegiate athletics that fosters a balance between personal and professional commitments. The task force will meet in August and intends to ultimately provide recommendations for institutional policy and tools for individual assessment.

14. SWA education. The committee discussed continued education, especially for institutional and athletics department leadership, about best practices for empowering and involving senior woman administrators in the conduct of the athletics program. The committee’s recommendations will also be carried to the DLSPC and Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity Issues.

15. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender think tank. The committee received an update about an October 30 think tank meeting to address lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues within intercollegiate athletics. The committee was asked to consider the issues that exist at the institutional level that could aid the think tank in its assessment and attempts to create awareness. The committee identified the student-athlete advisory committees and the CHAMPS/Life Skills program as avenues by which student-athletes can further engage in LGBT dialogue. The committee will have representation at the think tank session.

16. NCAA awards. The committee expressed concern about the lack of female and ethnic minority representation among winners of the Theodore Roosevelt and President’s Gerald R. Ford awardees. It was noted that President Brand is aware of the concern, and the committee was encouraged to provide nominees for these award programs.

17. Office for Diversity and Inclusion Programs update. The committee was provided an update on the Office for Diversity and Inclusion programs where CWA members were assisting with program selections. Committee members were provided the opportunity to resign from and commit to continued service.

Committee Chair: Darlene Bailey, Missouri State University, Missouri Valley Conference

Staff Liaison(s): Rosie Stallman, Education Outreach

Kimberly Ford, Office for Diversity and Inclusion

Matthew Stach, Education Outreach