Title IX and Athletics

Title IX and Athletics

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal law that states: 

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

Saint Leo University has a strong commitment to principles of equal employment opportunity and equal access to education. Saint Leo University does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnic origin, genetic information, sex, gender, nationality, race, religion, veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law in its educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, employment, or other school administered programs.

The policy is enforced by Saint Leo University and by applicable laws such as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992.

Athletics programs are considered educational programs and activities. There are three basic parts of Title IX as it applies to athletics: 

1. Participation: Title IX requires that women and men be provided equitable opportunities to participate in sports. Title IX does not require institutions to offer identical sports but an equal opportunity to play;                          
2. Scholarships: Title IX requires that female and male student-athletes receive athletics scholarship dollars proportional to their participation; and                          
3. Other benefits: Title IX requires the equal treatment of female and male student-athletes in the provisions of: (a) equipment and supplies; (b) scheduling of games and practice times; (c) travel and daily allowance/per diem; (d) access to tutoring; (e) coaching, (f) locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities; (g) medical and training facilities and services; (h) housing and dining facilities and services; (i) publicity and promotions; (j) support services and (k) recruitment of student-athletes.

In compliance with the NCAA policy, all Athletic Department Employees and student-athletes are trained on Sexual Violence Prevention and University Policy and Procedure Annually.

Who To Contact:

For concerns of gender equity within the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, you may file a complaint with the Title IX Coordinator, Vanessa O'Connell. This complaint may be filed via phone, e-mail, in-person, or via mail. Please see below for the Title IX Coordinator’s Contact Information:

If you have questions about gender equity within the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and their programs, you may contact Barbara Wilson or Marcal Lazenby.

Barbara Wilson
Senior Women Administrator instead of Women’s
Phone: 352-588-8222
E-mail: barbara.wilson@saintleo.edu
Office: Marion Bowman Activities Center Athletics Office Suite

Marcal Lazenby
Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance
Phone: 352-588-7314
E-mail: marcal.lazenby@saintleo.edu
Office: Marion Bowman Activities Center Athletics Office Suite

Fran Reidy
Vice President and Athletic Director
Phone: 352-588-8246
E-mail: fran.reidy@saintleo.edu
Office: Marion Bowman Activities Center Athletics Office Suite