NCAA COMMITTEE ON WOMEN'S ATHLETICS (CWA)
1. NON-LEGISLATIVE
ACTION ITEM.
Division I
only.
·
Division I Senior Woman Administrator
(SWA) research survey.
(1) Recommendation. Endorse a forthcoming senior woman administrator
(SWA) survey to be conducted by Bonnie Tiell,
(2) Rationale. The Division I survey will parallel
those already conducted in Divisions II and III. Survey results, including all phases of
the research, will be provided to the Division I governance structure and the
CWA. The CWA is particularly
interested to review the research results regarding variations in the role of SWAs at Division I institutions.
(3) Budget
Impact. None.
2. INFORMATIONAL
ITEMS.
Association-wide.
a. Research
initiative requests. The research staff reviewed ongoing data
collection associated with gender equity in athletics (e.g., the biennial NCAA
Gender Equity Report, Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act form), as well as
forthcoming efforts to gauge the comprehensive collegiate experience of
student-athletes. Information also
was provided about the process by which Association-wide committees may request
new research initiatives. The
committee noted its future budget items will be prioritized according to the
NCAA strategic plan.
b. Emerging
sports update. The committee received an update about
emerging sports requirements and the history of emerging sports
sponsorship. The committee noted
the role of national governing bodies in maintaining and increasing emerging
sports opportunities. A
subcommittee was appointed the task of reviewing when emerging sports status
should be retained or removed (NCAA Bylaw 20.02.5.2).
c. Health and safety update. A staff liaison to the Committee on
Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS) presented an overview
of health and safety issues, including items related to emerging sports. The committee noted its desire to
collaborate with the CSMAS to ensure equitable care and proper guidelines are
provided for emerging sports. Staff
also reviewed concerns that cheerleading injuries sustained during cheering
competitions not associated with intercollegiate athletic events are not
covered under the catastrophic insurance plan. Relevant health and safety issues will
be addressed at the April 25-26 Gender Equity and Issues Forum.
d. SWA update. The
committee received an overview of the SWA survey results conducted in Divisions
II and III by Bonnie Tiell. Among other conclusions, the committee
noted the perception gap between athletics directors and SWAs
about the role of the SWA. The
committee supports a forthcoming Division I survey. A subcommittee was appointed the task of
examining the consistency of each division’s SWA bylaws, as well as reviewing
existing SWA resources.
e.Awards for combined championships. The committee
received an update regarding a previous proposal from the NCAA Men's and
Women's Fencing Committee to provide separate awards for women’s and
men’s fencing teams competing in the combined championship. Staff provided an overview of the impact
on women’s and men’s championships participation opportunities
under the current structure. The
committee requested additional information to determine whether splitting the combined
championship into separate women’s and men’s championships would
negatively impact the sport, and whether other sports with combined
championships have similar concerns regarding awards.
f. NCAA Woman
of the Year. Staff provided an update about the 2004
and upcoming 2005 award dinners. A
subcommittee was appointed the task of conducting an exhaustive evaluation of
the nominations and selections process, as well as the award dinner program.
g.National
study on collegiate sports wagering and associated behaviors update. Staff provided an overview of the sports
wagering survey results. The
committee noted the effect of sports wagering on women’s athletics and
the extent to which women administrators are responsible for educational
programs addressing these behaviors.
h. Branding and
communications update. The committee received an update on the
national office promotional plan for women’s athletics and detailed
championships promotional levels, models and support. Staff
noted 25th anniversary of women’s championships celebration plans are
scheduled to begin fall 2005 in conjunction with the NCAA centennial
celebration.
i. Transgender
issues in intercollegiate athletics. The
committee will consider the need for NCAA guidelines regarding transgender
athletes.
j. Review
of male practice players. A subcommittee was appointed the task of
assessing the use of male players for women’s athletics practices. The subcommittee will gather information
related to the prevalence of male practice players and the implications for
women’s participation opportunities.
Division
I Only.
k. Management
Council composition.
The committee noted the impending lack of a CWA representative on
the Division I Management Council after the Council’s April 2005 meeting,
despite legislation requiring such representation. The committee noted the item has been
referred to the Division I Management Council governance subcommittee.
Division
II Only.
l. Proposed
football model. The committee
requested staff examine the implications of a proposed model for football in
the NCAA structure for Title IX compliance to ensure the provision of
comparable opportunities for women.
Committee
Chair: Darlene Bailey,
Staff
Liaisons: Rosie
Stallman, education services; Jan Gentry, enforcement services;
and
Matthew Stach, education services.