Report on Level of Competition for Non-Revenue Sports for the Board of Trustees of the University of Richmond

Report on Level of Competition for Non-Revenue Sports for the Board of Trustees of the University of Richmond

This report submitted by the Special Committee of the Board of Trustees and Administration was intended to "review the current level and manner of operations of varsity sports for both men and women at the University." The report focused on level of competition, staffing and operation, and scholarships. Specifically, it aimed at reviewing "women's sports in light of the University's established level of competition." The report brings up the "question of Title IX requirements" and states that because these requirements are uncertain, the Committee chose "not to be guided" by the requirements and to return to them in the future if they are further clarified.

The report addresses five issues, 1) level of competition, 2) staffing commitment, 3) extent of funding, 4) scholarship aid, and 5) how funds are raised.

1. The report examines the level of competition and defines these levels as national, regional, and state competition. The committee recommended that three sports for men and three sports for women be established at the national level and should be funded and provided of staff accordingly. State level sports will "be played at the University with a minimal amount of cost."

2. The report states that the general feeling at the University is that it is not using the "existing value of non-revenue sports as an aid in recruiting desirable students." It recommends that these non-revenue sports be used as a means to recruit students. The committee recommended that the University "staff each sport to the level set forth in the report." Although few non-revenue sports have full-time coaches, the University should re-examine the potential of existing faculty members serving as varsity coaches.

3. The committee feels that sufficient funds should be appropriated for each sport at its projected level. A non-designated budget should be set aside for when an unexpected opportunity arises for a non-revenue sport to compete in circumstances where budget may normally limit their participation.

4. The committee recommends that the level of scholarship aid provided for each sport meet the level of the competition of the sport. The committee feels that some types of sports ("country club sports") do not typically require scholarship aid to attract students to the sport. It recommends that scholarship aid be made available for sports played at a national and regional level, but not the state level. It also recommends that "3 scholarships for men and 1 scholarship for women be provided as floater scholarships to be used at the Department's discretion for the extra athlete or situation that may occur from time to time."

5. Based on what the report has already covered, the University will need to commit more financial aid. The committee recommends that the University make plans to raise funds from external sources. It is also recommended that funding for non-revenue sports should be part of an overall fundraising campaign, but recognizes that some individuals would rather donate directly to a sport.

The report concludes with a summary of its findings and recommendations, namely that the University should continue to offer twelve sports for men and eight sports for women, all organized under three levels of competition that would determine their staffing, operations, and scholarship aid.

Report on Level of Competition for Non-Revenue Sports for Board of Trustees University of Richmond Submitted by Special Committee Board of Trustees and Administration, 28 April 1980, RG 6.2.5 Box 25 Folder 8B "U.S. Government - Title IX - HEW (1980-1981)", University Archives, Virginia Baptist Historical Society.

1980-04-28

English

UA6.2.5.25.8B-19800428.pdf

Richmond (Va.)