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

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

3. 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.
: Women’s Ice Hockey & Water Polo become national collegiate championships.
: 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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. 

7. 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.

8. On the Web…
Home ► About The NCAA ► Diversity and Inclusion ► Gender Equity and Title IX

9. Current Status

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

12. 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

14. 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

15. Triathlon Competitive Cheer Table Tennis Wrestling Baseball ???
Who is Next…
Triathlon
Competitive Cheer
Table Tennis
Wrestling
Baseball
???
Other calls from:
Indoor Field Hockey, Bass Fishing, Ballroom Dancing, Paintball, Snowboarding, Barrel racing, Flag Football