REPORT OF THE

NCAA COMMITTEE ON WOMEN'S ATHLETICS (CWA)

 

 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.

 

Association-wide.

 

a.                   Emerging sports update.  The committee recommends the application of NCAA Bylaw 20.02.5.2 regarding the limitation of emerging sports to a 10-year time period to become a championship sport unless it can be demonstrated that steady growth has occurred during that time.  The committee will communicate with respective national governing bodies about this process.

 

b.         Review of male practice players.  After thorough consideration of the dichotomy between the philosophical and competitive issues regarding the use of male undergraduate students to participate in practice activities with women’s teams, the sentiment of the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics (CWA) is that the use of male undergraduate students in such situations is in conflict with the mission of this committee and violates the spirit of gender equity and Title IX.  In order to ensure a comprehensive review of the issue, the CWA will seek input from other entities which may include: Divisions I, II and III Management Councils, the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport, Divisions I, II and III Student-Athlete Advisory Committees, NACWAA, and the appropriate sport committees and associations.

 

c.         Senior woman administrator (SWA) update.  The committee received an update about the recent changes within each division to clarify the SWA designation.  The CWA applauds the efforts of each division to ensure that women continue to be involved in the decision-making and management of athletics programs.  In order to increase the Association-wide understanding of the SWA designation, the CWA urges the creation of a significant educational campaign to promote an understanding of the appropriate manner in which to designate the SWA within the governance structure of each division and athletics department of each member institution.

 

d.         NCAA Woman of the Year.  The committee voted to adopt a proposal altering the nomination and selection processes of the annual Woman of the Year award.  Planned for implementation in 2006, the NCAA will recognize conference winners in each division, thereby replacing the current state winner awards.  Input about the new process will be solicited from conference commissioners.

 

e.         Transgender issues.  The committee received an update from the working group addressing transgender student-athletes.  While legal implications have not yet arisen, the committee believes the NCAA would be prudent to establish a policy about the eligibility of transgender student-athletes and a thorough consideration of the legal and medical implications.

 

f.          25th anniversary of women’s championships.  The committee received an update about the celebration plans for the 25th anniversary of women’s championships, including recognition events at the NCAA Convention.

 

g.         Life-Work balance.  Staff provided an update about the working group assembled in response to ongoing expressions about the challenges confronting athletics personnel attempting to balance professional and personal commitments.  Efforts are underway to inventory current practices within the Association that address this matter, including a session at the NCAA Convention, entitled Athletics-Life in the Balance.

 

h.         Division I Final Four references.  The committee noted the inconsistency of references to the Division I men’s and women’s Final Four basketball tournaments.  It was noted there are consistent gender references for all NCAA championships throughout each division, with the exception of the Division I Final Four.  The committee requests the appropriate committees (i.e., Division I Management Council and Division I Men’s Basketball Issues Committee) review the matter and address inconsistent gender references to the championship.

 

i.          Native American Mascot Update.  Staff provided a review of the NCAA’s four-year long consideration of Native American mascots, names and imagery, which resulted in the NCAA Executive Committee’s August 2005 decision.

 

j.          Gender Equity and Issues Forum update.  Staff provided an update about the April 30 – May 2, 2006, forum which will be featured among many events in a year long recognition of women’s athletics in the city of Cleveland.

 

k.         Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).  The committee discussed the need to ensure the WNIT provide equitable opportunity for women in the wake of the expanded Men’s National Invitation Tournament experience.

 

l.          NCAA Convention update.  Staff reviewed several sessions planned for the 2006 Convention that address diversity and inclusion, including a reception sponsored by the President’s Cabinet.

 

 

 

Committee Chair:  Darlene Bailey, Missouri State University.

 Staff Liaisons:  Rosie Stallman, education services, and Matthew Stach, education services.