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A day after the College of William & Mary reversed the decision it made in September to cut three women’s athletic teams, university President Katherine Rowe acknowledged flaws in the decision-making process that also resulted in the elimination of four men’s sports still on the athletic department’s chopping block.
“In this case, we should have fully addressed (gender) equity matters first, based on our core commitments and our legal obligations, and then worked to address the significant (budget) shortfalls in years ahead,” Rowe said Tuesday during her monthly Community Conversation at W&M. “That’s the sequence we’re following now.”
California-based law firm Bailey & Glasser, LLP, representing W&M’s women’s swimmers, gymnasts and volleyball players, left the college little choice. In September, the firm announced its intention to sue W&M for “depriving women athletes and potential athletes of equal opportunities, financial aid and treatment in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.”
Previously, interim director of athletics Jeremy Martin had indicated to teams slated for elimination that their contributions to the athletic department’s long-term budget stability was as key to their reinstatement as gender equity. Groups representing swimming and track have raised more than $1 million each in recent weeks to bolster their financial sustainability.
However, with Title IX considerations now in the forefront, the prospect of reinstatement for the men’s gymnastics, swimming, and indoor and outdoor track and field teams at W&M appears remote.
“What we announced Monday was that, with (gender) equity being the clearest and most concrete frame, it does become more difficult to see pathways for (eliminated) men’s teams within that equitable foundation we’re seeking,” Martin said. "We’re excited for the future of (the reinstated) women’s programs and look forward to seeing them thrive.
“At the same time, (we) recognize the disappointment around the prospect of having to eliminate others.”
That disappointment includes female athletes in sports whose male counterpart is slated for elimination, according to several affiliated with those sports. Whether that feeling leads to a drop in female participation and fundraising for swimming and track will be of interest to the athletic department and others at W&M.
“Particularly swimming and track have been clear that they wish to be considered one program,” Martin said. "To the extent I’m able to honor that with our student-athletes, I am.
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“The emotions were certainly mixed on (Monday’s) move and they’re all William & Mary people that care deeply about others, so that was definitely a day of mixed emotions.”
Rowe said that the days ahead — as W&M deals with the Title IX situation, the budget shortfall and discusses its commitment to excellence — are unlikely to be “less painful” or “less difficult.” But she appears committed to a more “phased” decision-making process than the one that resulted in the announcement of cutting the seven sports, and has been a bone of contention at W&M ever since.
“The pandemic meant that every institution of higher learning in the country is facing incredibly difficult decisions such as this,” Rowe said. "Under those conditions, the pressure to take action swiftly is so strong.
“But it’s still better to take steps in a phased way, to show our work and listen to the community as we go. In that instance, we moved too fast and tried to accomplish too much at once and it didn’t do that well.”
Some faculty opposition to the decision has since built. However, the Faculty Assembly stopped short on Tuesday of recommending all seven sports be reinstated immediately — a motion defeated by a 9-7 vote.
The Faculty Assembly did pass a motion to create a task force that includes faculty, staff, students and the local community to consult with the athletic department on decision-making.
Marty O’Brien, 757-247-4963, mjobrien@dailypress.com