NCAA Emerging Sports for Women Equestrian (Divisions I & II) Rugby Sand Volleyball (Divisions I & II) Squash

Agenda Understanding the Emerging Sports Program History Process Current Status The Future

History 1991:  NCAA survey -- undergraduate enrollment is about even (50/50), but male student-athletes receive: 70% of opportunities, 70% of financial aid, 77% operating budgets, and 83%of recruiting funds 1992:  NCAA Gender-Equity Task Force established. 1993:  Gender-Equity Task Force Report - 9 "emerging” sports – Archery, Badminton, Bowling, Ice Hockey, Rowing, Synchronized Swimming, Squash, Team Handball, Water Polo. 1996:  A National Collegiate Championship for women's Rowing. 1998: Divisions I & II add Equestrian. 2000-01: Women’s Ice Hockey & Water Polo become national collegiate championships. 2002-03: Rugby is added in all three divisions. 2004: Women’s Bowling becomes a national collegiate championship. 2009: Women’s Archery (1), Badminton (2), Synchronized Swimming (8) and Team Handball (0) removed from the list for lack of growth. 2010: Sand Volleyball added to the list of emerging sports for women in Division I and II.

Process Self-identification and motivation by schools, national governing bodies and participants to promote the sport as varsity Committee on Women’s Athletics (CWA) manages the initial proposal process [association-wide committee; no legislative authority] All three divisions manage the Legislative proposal process

Criteria for the Proposal Meets the Definition of a Sport 20 or more varsity teams and/or competitive club teams that currently exist on college campuses. Other data exists that demonstrates support for the sport. For example: Collegiate recreation and intramural sponsorship. High-school sport sponsorship. Nonscholastic competitive programs. Association and organization support. U.S. Olympic Committee support (E.g., classified as an Olympic sport, National Governing Body support, grants). Conference interest in sports sponsorship. Coaches Association support. Professional sports support. Demonstrated understanding that once identified as an emerging sport, all NCAA institutions wishing to sponsor the sport at the varsity level must abide by all NCAA regulations. The definition of a sport is: an institutional activity involving physical exertion with the purpose of competition versus other teams or individuals within a collegiate competition structure. Furthermore, sport includes regularly scheduled team and/or individual, head-to-head competition (at least five) within a defined competitive season(s); and standardized rules with rating/scoring systems ratified by official regulatory agencies and governing bodies. Support from the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights for the activity meeting their definition of a sport is helpful to the committee and membership.

Proposals must include information on General competition rules, Suggested NCAA regulations (e.g., playing and practice season, financial aid limits, coaching limits, recruiting) and Format for the sport (e.g., expected facility requirements and costs, minimum and maximum competitions). Related, supportive data - e.g., participation #’s for young women However, if a sport is voted onto the list, each division develops the sport’s regulations and competitive rules: Year One - Recruiting, financial aid & minimum contest/participants requirements for sports sponsorships Year Two - Amateurism, seasons of competition & awards/benefits Year Three+ - Institutions must be in full compliance with all remaining NCAA legislation. 

Commitment Letters In addition to the proposal, 10 letters of commitment must be submitted.  The letters must be from at least 10 NCAA members that sponsor or intend to sponsor the sport as a varsity sport, and include the signatures of the university president and the athletics director.  Additionally, the letters must be dated within one year of the submission of the proposal and letters.

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Current Status

Ten Years to Reach 40…or steady progress Current Sponsorship Ten Years to Reach 40…or steady progress

Action Plans Squash – Original Emerging Sport list – 15 yrs 28 programs, predominately in 2 conferences $50,000 grant from US Squash Equestrian – 1999 23 Division I & II programs VarsityEquestrian.com

Off Ramp… Removal from the list – Requires sponsorship of a proposal and vote by the divisional membership On Ramp… To get back on Wait 12 months after removal Submit the required proposal and 15 commitment letters to CWA

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