Marshall University Pronounces Swim & Dive Program Will Proceed

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University introduced Wednesday that it’s going to retain its Women’s Swimming & Diving program whereas persevering with plans so as to add STUNT as a varsity sport, increasing participation alternatives for feminine student-athletes.

The choice follows a particular assembly of the Marshall University Board of Governors on Wednesday morning and displays an up to date implementation technique for advancing the college’s dedication to Title IX participation alternatives, monetary stewardship, and the long-term sustainability of Marshall Athletics.

Marshall President Brad D. Smith stated the unique choice concerning Swim & Dive was grounded in three realities going through collegiate athletics: increasing participation alternatives for girls, managing the monetary realities of intercollegiate athletics, and addressing the infrastructure investments required to maintain Division I swimming services.

Those realities, Smith stated, stay unchanged.

“What changed was the recommended implementation strategy for achieving those goals,” Smith stated. “External Title IX session indicated that eliminating a girls’s program may probably place the college exterior the secure harbor framework of Title IX, even when the long-term outcome could be a rise in participation alternatives for girls.

“When new information changes the pathway forward, responsible leadership reassesses,” he continued.  “This decision allows us to retain the Swim & Dive program while continuing to expand opportunities for women and moving forward constructively for our student-athletes and our university.”

Smith additionally acknowledged the robust advocacy proven by the student-athletes, their households, and alumni who expressed help for this system in current weeks.

“The passion and pride shown by these young women and their supporters reflects the very best of Marshall University,” Smith stated. “Their voices were heard, and we respect the way they advocated for one another and for a program they love. We remain committed to expanding opportunities for women in athletics while ensuring that Marshall Athletics operates responsibly and sustainably.”

The choice follows a quick authorized assessment. Allison Dodd, a junior and captain on the crew in addition to the lead plaintiff, celebrated the information.

“We are really happy Marshall is not only keeping our team but is going to help us make the team stronger for the long term,” Dodd stated. “We are also thankful for the tremendous support we got from alumni, our families, and the Marshall community. It meant a lot.”

Lauren Hunter-Rone, a diver from the category of 2013 and member of the Marshall Swimming and Diving (MUSD) Alumni Network, is longing for the long run saying, “This is a meaningful moment for our entire alumni community. We appreciate Marshall’s willingness to listen, reevaluate, and take this step forward. We’re looking forward to working together, and holding this shared commitment, to ensure a strong, lasting future for Marshall Swimming and Diving.”

Joshua Hammack, one of many attorneys representing members of the crew, echoed that sentiment.

“Today is a good day for the Swimming and Diving team, for the broader Marshall community, and for women everywhere,” Hammack stated. “Together with Marshall, these young women have strengthened the athletics program for current and future generations of Marshall students.”

Marshall Vice President and Director of Athletics Gerald J. Harrison stated the choice displays the evolving realities going through faculty athletics nationally.

“College athletics is changing rapidly, and universities across the country are navigating complex financial, legal, and competitive pressures,” Harrison stated. “Effective management requires each robust rules and the willingness to adapt when new data emerges.

“By retaining Swim & Dive while continuing to add STUNT and expand participation opportunities for women, we are strengthening Marshall Athletics and maintaining our commitment to Title IX participation goals.”

Harrison added that the college will proceed growing a broader participation and monetary technique to help girls’s athletics and Olympic sports activities.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that Marshall Athletics continues to grow opportunities for student-athletes while operating with disciplined stewardship,” Harrison stated. “We are grateful for the passion shown by our student-athletes, alumni, and supporters, and we look forward to working with those who want to help strengthen these programs moving forward.”

Smith emphasised that the college stays dedicated to its broader targets of increasing alternatives for feminine student-athletes and sustaining accountable stewardship of institutional assets.

“This moment is not about stepping away from our goals,” Smith stated. “It is about ensuring that we achieve them while focusing on adding participation opportunities. This enables us to continue strengthening women’s athletics while supporting the long-term health of Marshall University.”

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