NCAA COMMITTEE ON WOMEN'S ATHLETICS (CWA)

Summary of Recommendations

ACTION ITEM ? MANAGEMENT COUNCIL ONLY

ISSUE:		Institutional Self-Study Guide (ISSG) Change.
Committee Recommendation:
	Recommend that the Division III Membership Committee strengthen the gender-equity component in the Institutional Self-Study Guide.
Management Council Action:
	Referred the recommendation to the Membership Committee, noting the relevance of whether a successful institutional plan already in place.
Presidents Council Action:
	Endorsed the Management Council?s action.

ITEMS OF INFORMATION

1. ISSUE:		Coaching Academy Concept.
Committee Action:
	The committee supports the concept of developing a coaching academy, in partnership with other interested parties, for the purpose of helping to train, mentor, develop and retain female coaches. The number of female coaches in intercollegiate athletics is at an all-time low. According to the ?Women in Intercollegiate Sports A Longitudinal Study ? Twenty Five Year Update? by Acosta and Carpenter, ?the 2002 data show the highest ever participation of women in intercollegiate athletics and the lowest ever representation of women as head coaches of their teams.? The development of a coaching academy for female coaches is a high priority for the committee. The committee heard a presentation from ?Play with Purpose? founders Celia Slater and Mary Ann Salano. ?Play with Purpose? is a coaches? education concept under development by Ms. Slater and Ms. Salano. The committee assigned committee member Marcia Saneholtz as a communication link between the committee and Ms. Slater. Additionally, the committee will be in contact with the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators regarding its possible partnership in the coaching academy concept. The committee will consider this concept further during its January meeting.
Management Council Action:
	Accepted the information, noting that the data rings particularly true for pursuit of women coaches in Division III. The Council noted the importance of working with coaches? associations, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, junior college athletics associations and high school associations.

2. ISSUE:		Secretary of Education?s Commission on Opportunity in Athletics.
Committee Action:
	The committee had a discussion with Ted Leland, co-chair of the Secretary of Education?s Commission on Opportunity in Athletics, regarding the work of the commission. The CWA developed the following statement regarding Title IX: ?The CWA strongly supports equal access and opportunity for men and women in intercollegiate athletics.? Title IX was enacted in 1972 to provide equal opportunity for the under-represented gender. The committee strongly supports Title IX as written. The committee suggests the following five actions are needed to strengthen Title IX: ? More education at all levels about the law; ? Consistent interpretation of the law by the Office of Civil Rights? (OCR) regional offices; ? Stronger enforcement of the law; ? Greater understanding of the flexibility of prong three of the three-part test; and ? Greater awareness and understanding that each prong of the three-part test stands alone as a viable compliance tool. In addition, the committee endorses the document, ?Title IX Athletics Policies Issues and Data for Education Decision Makers,? produced by the National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education (NCWGE).
Management Council Action:
	Accepted the information.

3. ISSUE:		Title IX ? Interest Assessment Component.
Committee Action:
	The committee had a discussion with Athena Yiamouyiannis, executive director of the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, regarding the ongoing work of the Secretary of Education?s Commission on Opportunity in Athletics. In particular, the committee discussed prong three of Title IX, accommodating the interests and abilities of female athletes. It was noted that education and information regarding prong three is needed, including better access to and understanding of interest assessment tools.
Management Council Action:
	Accepted the information.
4. ISSUE:		NCAA National Office Gender-Equity Plan.
Committee Action:
	The committee received a draft of the NCAA national office gender-equity plan. It is anticipated that the draft plan will be finalized by January 2003. The committee endorsed the plan and requested continued reports be provided to the committee as the plan is implemented.
Management Council Action:
	Accepted the information.
5. ISSUE:		Research on Role of Senior Woman Administrators.
Committee Action:
	The committee reviewed information regarding a study planned by a university professor on the role of senior woman administrators. The committee expressed interest in this research and will request the author of the study provide the committee with the results.
Management Council Action:
	Accepted the information.

6. ISSUE:		Mixed-Sport Sponsorships/Championships.
Committee Action:
	The committee discussed issues surrounding mixed-sports sponsorship and consideration of participation opportunities for females. Particularly, the committee noted the application of current legislation and championships policies to the sports of rifle and Nordic skiing. The staff provided additional information and the committee recommends no changes.
Management Council Action:
	Accepted the information.
7. ISSUE:		Review of 2002-03 Sport Sponsorship.
Committee Action:
	The committee reviewed the 2002-03 sports sponsorship numbers, including the number of institutions sponsoring each emerging sport for women.
Management Council Action:
	Accepted the information.
8. ISSUE:		Woman of the Year (WOTY) Dinner and Title IX Seminar.
Committee Action:
	The committee received an update on the WOTY dinner and the Title IX seminar. The Title IX seminar will be conducted April 28 and 29, 2003, in La Jolla, California. The WOTY dinner was conducted November 2.
Management Council Action:
	Accepted the information.

9. ISSUE:		Definition of Sport.
Committee Action:
	The committee compared the OCR and the CWA?s definitions of sport. It noted that there are some distinct differences between the two definitions. The committee asked its outreach subcommittee to consider whether the number of scheduled competitions currently set at five is appropriate. It was suggested the subcommittee consider broadening the language to note that five competitions is the absolute minimum, and that more contests may be required depending on the activity and the minimum number of contests required in each sport by sports sponsorship requirements. The committee will review the subcommittee?s recommendation in January.
Management Council Action:
	Accepted the information.