2008 Woodie Awards
SRU spends $1M in lawsuit
By Adam Brewer
Rocket Sports Editor
Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: News
Twelve SRU female student-athletes reached a comprehensive settlement with the university on April 6, making the school compliant with Title IX after eight sports were cut in January 2006 to save money.
The three women's sports that were cut last spring were water polo, swimming and field hockey. The lawsuit costs amounted to $1 million for the university.
Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded educational programs.
University officials said that the cuts were made to save money and cut the budget, but after the settlement was agreed upon last Friday, the university is now creating a $300,000 fund to be spent over the next three years on women's athletics to overcome the effects of historical conditions that have limited women's participation in athletics at SRU.
This is in addition to monies the university has or will spend to guarantee gender equality in athletics.
Less than 10 months after listening to the case of the female student-athletes, U.S. Chief District Judge Donetta Ambrose ordered SRU to reinstate the three women's varsity teams it had cut in violation of Title IX.
With this settlement, the plaintiffs secure for themselves and future athletes of SRU a commitment to achieve fairness in both participation and treatment of women athletes.
Beth Choike, a junior communication major and a member of the women's water polo and swim teams, was the lead plaintiff, and said that she is satisfied with the positive outcome of the court case.
"I'm glad we finally have a settlement," Choike said. "It's been a long battle, and I'm excited to see that the resolution aids our cause. It's also a good thing to see the immediate impact of this ruling on the women's sports."
SRU Athletic Director Paul Lueken said that the settlement was a good one and it was beneficial for both parties.
"It was a hard, long process," Lueken said. "But both sides agreed on a settlement, and the outcome was a positive one for both sides."
The three women's sports that were cut last spring were water polo, swimming and field hockey. The lawsuit costs amounted to $1 million for the university.
Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded educational programs.
University officials said that the cuts were made to save money and cut the budget, but after the settlement was agreed upon last Friday, the university is now creating a $300,000 fund to be spent over the next three years on women's athletics to overcome the effects of historical conditions that have limited women's participation in athletics at SRU.
This is in addition to monies the university has or will spend to guarantee gender equality in athletics.
Less than 10 months after listening to the case of the female student-athletes, U.S. Chief District Judge Donetta Ambrose ordered SRU to reinstate the three women's varsity teams it had cut in violation of Title IX.
With this settlement, the plaintiffs secure for themselves and future athletes of SRU a commitment to achieve fairness in both participation and treatment of women athletes.
Beth Choike, a junior communication major and a member of the women's water polo and swim teams, was the lead plaintiff, and said that she is satisfied with the positive outcome of the court case.
"I'm glad we finally have a settlement," Choike said. "It's been a long battle, and I'm excited to see that the resolution aids our cause. It's also a good thing to see the immediate impact of this ruling on the women's sports."
SRU Athletic Director Paul Lueken said that the settlement was a good one and it was beneficial for both parties.
"It was a hard, long process," Lueken said. "But both sides agreed on a settlement, and the outcome was a positive one for both sides."
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