Concordia University told to reinstate women's teams while Title IX lawsuit plays out

"Seven members of the women's swimming and diving team and two women's tennis players allege in a sex discrimination class action lawsuit filed in August that by dropping the programs, the Irvine school is violating Title IX. Judge Fred W. Slaughter agreed, ordering that the injunction remain in place for the duration of the lawsuit. Concordia must immediately reinstate the women's teams and provide them "with funding, staffing, and all other benefits commensurate with their status as varsity intercollegiate teams," Slaughter wrote in a 19-page ruling."

"Concordia announced the cuts of the men's and women's swimming and tennis teams in May, stating the school had "determined that the current model is not sustainable in the midst of increasing operational costs, facility limitations, and significant changes in the collegiate athletics landscape." But the cuts came at a time when Concordia was plowing $25.5 million into upgrading the university's athletic infrastructure. A week after athletic director Crystal Rosenthal calculated the cuts would save $550,000 a year, she sent an email to unaffected athletes boasting that major improvements would be made to Concordia's athletics infrastructure."

"A federal judge orders Concordia University to immediately reinstate women's swimming and tennis programs while a Title IX lawsuit plays out. The Irvine university claimed cost constraints forced the cuts, but simultaneously invested $25.5 million in upgrading athletic facilities. The lawsuit alleges sex discrimination: Women comprise 59% of Concordia's students but received only 51.2% of varsity sports roster spots."

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction requiring Concordia University to immediately reinstate its women's swimming and tennis teams and to provide funding, staffing, and benefits consistent with varsity status during a pending Title IX lawsuit. Seven women's swimmers and two women's tennis players brought a class action alleging sex discrimination after the university cut those programs in May. Concordia cited unsustainable costs and facility limitations while simultaneously investing $25.5 million in athletic upgrades and calculating the cuts would save about $550,000 annually. Plaintiffs note women are 59% of students but hold 51.2% of roster spots.

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