UConn reinstates rowing team after Title IX challenge

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — The University of Connecticut has reversed course on a controversial budget cut, announcing it will keep its women's rowing program for at least the next two years.

The move, announced Thursday night, comes after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order in May that prevented the school from dissolving the team at the end of this past season.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Underhill ruled rowers were likely to prevail in their lawsuit, which alleges eliminating the team would violate Title IX, the federal law that guarantees equal access to women in education, including athletics.

“We continue, as we must, to assess our compliance with Title IX and we have determined that additional participation opportunities for female student athletes are necessary at this time,” the school said in a statement. “Accordingly, we have agreed to reinstate the women’s rowing team for two years and to stay the pending litigation initiated by members of the rowing team. During this time, we will conduct a more detailed assessment of the costs associated with possible program upgrades and work to secure the potential long-term reinstatement of the rowing program.”

Rowing coach Jennifer Sanford said she is excited to work with the school to “restore" the program and expressed pride in the fight put up by her team and its alumni.

“This past year's team in particular showed great strength, courage, determination, and perseverance as they navigated through the pandemic and the team being cut,” she said. “The returning rowers and coaching staff are going to take full advantage of this opportunity to continue to represent UConn as a varsity program.”

UConn announced the decision to eliminate the team in June, 2020, saying it needed to reduce its $42 million...