News from
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
Communications and Publications, Stanhope Hall
Princeton, New Jersey 08544
Tel 609/258-3601; Fax 609/258-1301
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 22, 1995
Contact: Justin Harmon, (609) 258-5732
Kurt Kehl, (609) 258-3680
Princeton Implements New Tier
Structure to Expand Opportunities
in Athletics
PRINCETON, N.J.--As part of a review intended to expand athletic opportunities at a time of constrained budgets and to strengthen gender equity, the Princeton University Department of Athletics will implement a new tier structure for its teams and establish or alter the status of three teams for next year.
Under the new tier structure, varsity sports will continue to receive admission support and direct funding from the University. The University will formally establish a tier of club-varsity sports that will compete at the varsity level, with participants eligible to receive varsity letters, but the teams will receive no admission support or University funding. Club sports will continue to receive minimal University funding; they receive no admission support and compete only at the club level. All intercollegiate varsity-level teams will continue to receive substantial administrative and facilities support from the University.
The Department of Athletics will alter the status of two teams and create one new one for the 1996-97 academic year. It will grant club-varsity status to its wrestling team; upgrade women's water polo from its current club status to either club-varsity or varsity status, and establish a women's lightweight crew.
In pursuing this review, Princeton is absolutely committed to sustaining the vitality of its athletic program, as well as to furthering the cause of equity regarding women's participation,'' said Princeton President Harold T. Shapiro. ``Thus, we are particularly pleased to be able to maintain competitive opportunities for wrestlers, and at the same time to have identified two ways to strengthen women's programming in areas that appear to be of real interest to our student-athletes.''
For budgetary and programmatic reasons, the Department of Athletics discontinued its varsity wrestling team in 1993, with a transition to dub status to be completed over a three-year period. The wrestling program's change to club-varsity status will allow Princeton wrestlers to continue to participate in varsity-level intercollegiate competition.
The University intends to notify the NCAA annually that the wrestling program will meet NCAA bylaws, making it eligible for competition through the NCAA and the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association. The program also will comply with Ivy League regulations.
The team will be funded entirely through contributions raised by the Friends of Princeton Wrestling, an association of alumni, parents and friends formed with the purpose of supporting the program.
``We believe that maintaining the wrestling program at the club-varsity level will benefit our student-athletes by providing them a fuller set of competitive opportunities,'' said Princeton Director of Athletics Gary Walters. ``We have had long discussions with the Friends about this possibility, and we are pleased to have their cooperation in making this possible.''
``We believe strongly that it is important to continue to provide Princeton wrestlers with the opportunity to participate in varsity-level competition,'' said Clay McEldowney '69, chairman of the Friends. ``We are pleased that the University has agreed to support the program at this level, and we look forward to working with the Department of Athletics for the good o@ the undergraduates.''
The planned upgrade for women's water polo reflects its status as emerging sport among members of the NCAA and concomitant growth in interest and ability among members of the current club team. The establishment of a women's lightweight crew responds to the popularity of crew among Princeton undergraduates. The precise terms of the new arrangements for the two programs are under review, but are expected to be announced next semester.
Men currently compete in 17 varsity sports at Princeton; women compete in 16. The University also fields two men's club-varsity teams, eight men's club teams, eight women's club teams, and 17 coed club teams. In addition, 550 teams participate in Princeton's intramural sports program, which schedules competitions involving students, faculty and staff. A wide variety of recreational physical education courses are offered each semester.
A number of recent initiatives have been framed to benefit women's athletics at Princeton. Two women's coaching positions were upgraded in the past year. The new Class of 1952 Stadium, built for lacrosse and field hockey, is now commonly regarded as one of the finest such facilities in the country. Additional women's locker rooms are planned with funds to be obtained through the Anniversary Campaign for Princeton.
``Princeton University is committed to sustaining a breadth and depth of athletics programming for all students,'' said Walters. ``We believe that we are taking a leadership role in the area of gender equity, and. we will continue to explore ways to adapt the resource of the University to the needs of our student-athletes.''