Stanford athletes sue school over cutting of 11 sports

Trending: A group of Stanford athletes sued the university Wednesday over plans to cut 11 non-revenue sports programs at the end of the current school year for budgetary reasons made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. The complaint said university officials misled students about their opportunities to participate at Stanford, home to the country’s most successful intercollegiate athletics program, thereby denying them a chance to pursue their sports at other colleges. In the parallel suit, women athletes said the planned cuts will eliminate more than 100 athletic participation opportunities for female athletes, leaving Stanford in violation of Title IX, the 1972 law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs. “It is well known that Stanford has been engaged in productive conversations with 36 Sports Strong, a group of former Stanford athletes and alumni, and other supporters of Stanford Athletics, to explore possible viable paths to restoring these sports, including through fundraising efforts,” spokesperson Farnaz Khadem said. Before the July 8 announcement, the suit alleged, no one at Stanford — including the administration, the athletics department or the coaches  — even suggested the possibility that any sports would be eliminated. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. The reduction of women athletes could lead to violations under Title IX, the sex discrimination suit said. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. The complaint said university officials misled students about their opportunities to participate at Stanford, home to the country’s most successful intercollegiate athletics program, thereby denying them a chance to pursue their sports at other colleges. In the parallel suit, women athletes said the planned cuts will eliminate more than 100 athletic participation opportunities for female athletes, leaving Stanford in violation of Title IX, the 1972 law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs. “It is well known that Stanford has been engaged in productive conversations with 36 Sports Strong, a group of former Stanford athletes and alumni, and other supporters of Stanford Athletics, to explore possible viable paths to restoring these sports, including through fundraising efforts,” spokesperson Farnaz Khadem said. Before the July 8 announcement, the suit alleged, no one at Stanford — including the administration, the athletics department or the coaches  — even suggested the possibility that any sports would be eliminated. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. The complaint said university officials misled students about their opportunities to participate at Stanford, home to the country’s most successful intercollegiate athletics program, thereby denying them a chance to pursue their sports at other colleges. In the parallel suit, women athletes said the planned cuts will eliminate more than 100 athletic participation opportunities for female athletes, leaving Stanford in violation of Title IX, the 1972 law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs. “It is well known that Stanford has been engaged in productive conversations with 36 Sports Strong, a group of former Stanford athletes and alumni, and other supporters of Stanford Athletics, to explore possible viable paths to restoring these sports, including through fundraising efforts,” spokesperson Farnaz Khadem said. Before the July 8 announcement, the suit alleged, no one at Stanford — including the administration, the athletics department or the coaches  — even suggested the possibility that any sports would be eliminated. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. In the parallel suit, women athletes said the planned cuts will eliminate more than 100 athletic participation opportunities for female athletes, leaving Stanford in violation of Title IX, the 1972 law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs. “It is well known that Stanford has been engaged in productive conversations with 36 Sports Strong, a group of former Stanford athletes and alumni, and other supporters of Stanford Athletics, to explore possible viable paths to restoring these sports, including through fundraising efforts,” spokesperson Farnaz Khadem said. Before the July 8 announcement, the suit alleged, no one at Stanford — including the administration, the athletics department or the coaches  — even suggested the possibility that any sports would be eliminated. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. In the parallel suit, women athletes said the planned cuts will eliminate more than 100 athletic participation opportunities for female athletes, leaving Stanford in violation of Title IX, the 1972 law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs. “It is well known that Stanford has been engaged in productive conversations with 36 Sports Strong, a group of former Stanford athletes and alumni, and other supporters of Stanford Athletics, to explore possible viable paths to restoring these sports, including through fundraising efforts,” spokesperson Farnaz Khadem said. Before the July 8 announcement, the suit alleged, no one at Stanford — including the administration, the athletics department or the coaches  — even suggested the possibility that any sports would be eliminated. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. “It is well known that Stanford has been engaged in productive conversations with 36 Sports Strong, a group of former Stanford athletes and alumni, and other supporters of Stanford Athletics, to explore possible viable paths to restoring these sports, including through fundraising efforts,” spokesperson Farnaz Khadem said. Before the July 8 announcement, the suit alleged, no one at Stanford — including the administration, the athletics department or the coaches  — even suggested the possibility that any sports would be eliminated. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. “It is well known that Stanford has been engaged in productive conversations with 36 Sports Strong, a group of former Stanford athletes and alumni, and other supporters of Stanford Athletics, to explore possible viable paths to restoring these sports, including through fundraising efforts,” spokesperson Farnaz Khadem said. Before the July 8 announcement, the suit alleged, no one at Stanford — including the administration, the athletics department or the coaches  — even suggested the possibility that any sports would be eliminated. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. “It is well known that Stanford has been engaged in productive conversations with 36 Sports Strong, a group of former Stanford athletes and alumni, and other supporters of Stanford Athletics, to explore possible viable paths to restoring these sports, including through fundraising efforts,” spokesperson Farnaz Khadem said. Before the July 8 announcement, the suit alleged, no one at Stanford — including the administration, the athletics department or the coaches  — even suggested the possibility that any sports would be eliminated. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. “It is well known that Stanford has been engaged in productive conversations with 36 Sports Strong, a group of former Stanford athletes and alumni, and other supporters of Stanford Athletics, to explore possible viable paths to restoring these sports, including through fundraising efforts,” spokesperson Farnaz Khadem said. Before the July 8 announcement, the suit alleged, no one at Stanford — including the administration, the athletics department or the coaches  — even suggested the possibility that any sports would be eliminated. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. “It is well known that Stanford has been engaged in productive conversations with 36 Sports Strong, a group of former Stanford athletes and alumni, and other supporters of Stanford Athletics, to explore possible viable paths to restoring these sports, including through fundraising efforts,” spokesperson Farnaz Khadem said. Before the July 8 announcement, the suit alleged, no one at Stanford — including the administration, the athletics department or the coaches  — even suggested the possibility that any sports would be eliminated. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. Before the July 8 announcement, the suit alleged, no one at Stanford — including the administration, the athletics department or the coaches  — even suggested the possibility that any sports would be eliminated. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. Before the July 8 announcement, the suit alleged, no one at Stanford — including the administration, the athletics department or the coaches  — even suggested the possibility that any sports would be eliminated. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. Before the July 8 announcement, the suit alleged, no one at Stanford — including the administration, the athletics department or the coaches  — even suggested the possibility that any sports would be eliminated. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. The suit said eliminating the sports would reduce the university’s athlete population by 28% but only decrease the athletic budget by about 5%. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. Stanford said it would continue scholarships for athletes whose sports were cut, help those who want to transfer and allow their activities to continue as club sports, which aren’t regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and typically are student-run and receive little financial aid from the university. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports. The announced cuts sparked a backlash from a group of former student-athletes called 36 Sports Strong that has lobbied the administration to reconsider and maintain Stanford’s full complement of 36 sports.