For a PDF version of this article click here.

UNI Restores Tennis, Swimming Programs for Women

By TOM WITOSKY
Des Moines Register
06/25/2002

Northern Iowa reinstated its women's swimming and tennis programs Monday, less than two months after eliminating them.

University officials indicated the decision was partly prompted by a threat from a Washington, D.C., public-interest lawyers group to file a gender-discrimination lawsuit under Title IX.

In May, Northern Iowa athletic director Rick Hartzell said the university would drop swimming and tennis for both men and women because of financial problems.

The decision to reinstate teams so quickly - one day after the 30th anniversary of Title IX, the federal law that bans sex discrimination in education - drew reactions ranging from surprise to relief.

"I really don't know what to think," said Sara Nachtman, a junior from Dubuque. "It was a terrible thing that they did to us, and now they are taking it back. I am glad they've decided to obey the law, but I don't know if I can come back after what they have done."

There are no plans to reinstate men's swimming and tennis.

In May, university officials estimated that cutting the four programs would save $327,000. Operational costs of the two reinstated programs were pegged at $150,000, depending upon scholarship costs.

Hartzell said Monday that no further cuts in the athletic program would be made this year. He said the additional money needed for the two programs would come from university sources.

"The money is not coming from the athletic department, because we don't have any," Hartzell said. "This is a one-year, one-time boost in university support to help us maintain gender equity and keep the rest of the department operating."

Robert Koob, school president, said in a statement that "we still have budget problems in athletics."

"It's imperative that all associated with our athletic programs continue to work diligently to raise needed funds for our student-athletes and other operational support," he said.

Athletes applauded Monday's decision.

Kristen Harvey, a sophomore swimmer from Hoffman Estates, Ill., was one of the team members who contacted the Washington lawyers after the sport was dropped.

"I couldn't be happier," Harvey said. "I wish it could have been avoided, but the fact is, UNI has handled this very well. I am looking forward to getting back to Cedar Falls."

Two members of the men's swimming team said they were glad the women's teams had survived.

"We are like a family, and that means I have to be happy for them to keep their opportunity," said Shawn DeBoef, a freshman swimmer from Oskaloosa. "It is important that we keep a swimming program there. More than anything else, I am happy about it."

Tyler Hammond, co-captain of the Panther men's swimming team, said he still regretted the loss of the men's program, but "I am really happy for the women's team."

"I really didn't think they would be able to win it like this," Hammond said. "It took a lot of courage to stand up for their rights and their program. Others would have just let it happen and moved on."

University officials said Danny May, the former men's and women's head swimming coach, has been offered the job. Former men's and women's tennis coach David Wolden will be replaced. Hartzell said Wolden has taken a coaching job at a Minneapolis-area high school.

May said Monday that he was considering the offer seriously.

"My family really enjoys Cedar Falls, and I have enjoyed my time there," May said. "But it is a shame that we are in this situation. There are some problems that will have to be addressed."

National Collegiate Athletic Association rules allow any member of the women's swimming and tennis teams to transfer without sitting out a year if they still want to go to another school.

Hartzell said the entire budget for the 2003-04 school year would be reviewed. He said school officials would explore all options, including consideration of "ways to permanently fund some of these programs."

Arthur Bryant, director of the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice - the Washington group that had focused on Northern Iowa - praised Monday's decision, but said the group had urged UNI officials to reinstate all four programs.

"We strongly urged all four programs be kept. But the decision to drop the men's sports is the school's decision," said Bryant, adding that the episode shows "how Title IX works in the real world."

"Title IX is not to blame for the dropping of these programs," he said. "The decision to drop sports here is a financial one. This shows that without Title IX, they would have dropped the women's programs instead."

May said that he likely had lost his entire recruiting class for next year, which included former Ankeny High School swimmer Jamie Wieben - named the outstanding swimmer at the 2001 state girls' swimming meet.

Wieben had signed a letter of intent to attend Northern Iowa, then committed to Iowa State University after the Panther program was dropped.

"I think it is just insane. I really don't know what to think. I wanted to go to UNI, I really did. I had everything arranged," she said.

Wieben said she wasn't sure how the rules would apply to her situation, but she said she would be happy at Iowa State.

Kristin Hogan, a junior from Clive, expressed similar feelings, but will return to swim for her senior year.

"I am really excited that we will get a chance to swim again, but this whole thing has been really difficult," Hogan said. "I haven't been in the pool all summer, but I will be there tomorrow."