Helping sports organization solve integrity, growth, and development challenges

Gender Race and Other Issues

Q: Are There Unintended Consequences of the NCAA Academic Progress Rate Requirement?

By Donna Lopiano, President, Sports Management Resources

As academic progress rate (APR) and graduation success rate (GSR) pressures increase on NCAA Division I institutions required to adhere to these rules, we may very well see an increase in unintended consequences on student-athletes and academic support staffs.  History shows that it is impossible to legislate moral integrity.  Make a rule and there are always unanticipated impacts, those who will figure a way around it or live by walking on its gray and hazy edges. 

Q: What does Title IX have to do with sexual harassment?

Both the Department of Education and the United States Supreme Court have found that sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination prohibited by Title IX. In January 2001, the Department published "Revised Sexual Harassment Guidance: Harassment of Students by School Employees, Other Students or Third Parties." That Title IX guidance updates and revises the original 1997 guidelines to incorporate and discuss important Supreme Court cases that were decided on the subject in the interim: Gebser v.

Q: What is the role of sport governance organizations in remedying past discrimination?

A significant role. The carrot of participation in state or national championships or eligibility for international competition is of significant value. What would happen if a state high school athletics association had a rule that no high school girls' or boys' team would be eligible for state championship play if the athletic program was not in compliance with Title IX, the federal law requiring equal opportunity and treatment of female athletes? Note, this is currently true in the state of Kentucky.