Recent posts
The Abuse of Roster Management
April 22, 2011 - Donna A. Lopiano, Ph.DPresident
In the late 1990s, many colleges and universities implemented a practice that became known as “roster management.” In order to avoid cutting men’s teams, the schools cut the number of male participants who would be allowed on existing teams to minimum levels. Often, football and men’s basketball did not have these roster limits imposed. By placing maximum squad size limits on men’s teams and subsequently reducing the number of male athletes, institutions simultaneously increased the percentage (but not number) of female athletes in their programs.
Read More | View Comments (1) Managing the Cost of Gender Equity
June 30, 2008 - Donna A. Lopiano, Ph.DPresident
Few athletics programs are currently fully in compliance with Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational institutions that are recipients of federal funds. What is the most sensible approach to achieving compliance without breaking the bank and how should a school handle gender equity complaints when it knows it is not yet in compliance?
Read More Faculty Control and Involvement or Athletics Department Isolation?
June 2, 2008 - Donna A. Lopiano, Ph.DPresident
It’s time for athletics programs to invest in closer relationships with the faculty, especially with regard to the offering of academic support programs and recommendations for special admissions. Every athletics director must rethink the issue of ideal faculty relationships. The academic success of student-athletes is at stake.
Read More Unintended Consequences of the APR…
May 5, 2008 - Donna A. Lopiano, Ph.DPresident
Here are several thoughts about the possible unintended consequences of the NCAA’s Division I Academic Performance Program. History shows that it is impossible to legislate moral integrity. Make a rule and there are always unanticipated impacts, those who will figure a way around it or live by walking on its gray and hazy edges. As academic progress rate (APR) and graduation success rate (GSR) pressures increase, we may very well see an increase in unintended consequences on student-athletes and academic support staffs.
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