IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — University of Iowa students who want to establish intercollegiate women’s wrestling and rugby programs have been added as plaintiffs to a lawsuit seeking more sports opportunities for female Hawkeyes.
A lawsuit filed this month by members of the women’s swimming and diving team seeks to stop the university from eliminating their program after this season. They argue that Iowa doesn’t comply with a federal law that requires colleges to offer equal athletics opportunities to male and female students, and they seek more roster spots for women. Plaintiff and freshman, Abbie Lyman, participated in wrestling in high school and had hoped to continue the sport in college.
A complaint filed last month in the Federal District Court, Southern District of Iowa, is citing Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972.
The university argues the cuts are not discriminatory, as they will impact 64 male students compared to 38 female athletes.