William & Mary University Agrees to Reinstate Women’s Gymnastics, Swimming and Volleyball; Comply Fully with Title IX in Two Years to Avoid Suit

For Immediate Release - October 19, 2020 

The legal team representing women student-athletes at William & Mary University announced today that the school had agreed to reinstate its women’s gymnastics, swimming, and volleyball teams, develop a Gender Equity Plan, and come into full compliance with Title IX by the 2022-23 academic year to avoid being sued. Title IX, a federal civil rights law passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972, prohibits gender discrimination at any educational institution receiving federal funds.

On September 3, 2020, William & Mary announced that it was eliminating its women’s varsity gymnastics, swimming, and volleyball teams—and its men’s varsity gymnastics, swimming, and track and field teams—at the end of the 2020-21 academic year.  On September 23, 2020, Arthur Bryant of Bailey & Glasser, LLP, lead counsel for the women student-athletes, wrote to William & Mary President Katherine Rowe, told her he represented women on the three teams, and informed her that the elimination of those teams violated Title IX. His letter said that, if the school did not reinstate and continue the teams, he and his legal team would file a class action lawsuit in federal court to prevent their elimination and to hold William & Mary accountable for violating Title IX by depriving women athletes and potential athletes of equal opportunities, athletic financial aid, and treatment. The school’s decision to reinstate the teams and comply with Title IX makes the lawsuit unnecessary.