Nov. 28, 2006

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CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics is realigning its sports offerings to more effectively address the evolving shifts in the popularity of women's sports. 

      With a growth rate at the high school level of 290 percent over the last decade, the number of female athletes participating in girl's lacrosse has skyrocketed to almost 52,000 according to a recent survey conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations.  What this translates to is a much greater need for opportunities at the college level which UC Athletics will address by adding women's lacrosse as a varsity sport.

      Concurrently, the University of Cincinnati has elected to discontinue its women's rowing program at the conclusion of its traditional season in the spring of 2007.

      These moves are part of a long-range planning process initiated to optimize the department's objectives of producing championship caliber programs and ensuring that the department is being managed as efficiently as possible and in accordance with the standards and best practices as set forth by the NCAA. The CATAPULT plan focuses on three main initiatives: winning BIG EAST team championships, high-level academic achievement, and a comprehensive integration with the Greater Cincinnati Community.

      "We are excited to be adding women's lacrosse to our mix of intercollegiate programs" said Director of Athletics Mike Thomas.  "The sport is growing exponentially across the nation and will provide a strong, competitive environment in the BIG EAST Conference.  While I would prefer that the addition of one program didn't have to come at the expense of another, we need to be as strategic as possible when evaluating and adding new programs and feel like these moves are in the best interests of our program."

      University President Dr. Nancy L. Zimpher said that "Mike Thomas and his staff find themselves facing the same challenges as every other unit or department on campus. To find the most appropriate mix of programs that can benefit the largest number of students all while enhancing the quality for which the UC brand has become known." Zimpher added that "while these decisions are never easy, I am satisfied that they are being initiated in a responsible manner and represent sound judgment by our athletics administration."

      UC will be the 8th member institution in the BIG EAST to sponsor women's lacrosse:  Georgetown, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Rutgers, Connecticut, Louisville and affiliate member Loyola-Maryland.

      Women's lacrosse is currently an active club level sport (http://www.uc.edu/sald/clubsports.html) at the University of Cincinnati.  The club team competes in the Women's Collegiate Lacrosse League (WCLL), which includes 39 colleges/universities in the Midwest, which are divided into six divisions.  The WCLL is in its12th year of operation and the largest women's college club league in the country.

      UC is committed to working to minimize the impact on the affected student-athletes in the women's rowing program.  All team members will be granted their immediate release so that they may pursue competitive opportunities with other Division I programs.  For any students wishing to remain at UC, they will continue to have access to the athletics academic advising staff as well as all academic support facilities located in the new Richard E. Lindner Center.  All women's rowing student-athletes who are currently receiving athletically-related financial assistance will continue to do so through their senior year at UC.

      "We will honor our commitment to the student-athletes who are affected by this decision" said Thomas. "It is our intent to do everything we can to assist these student-athletes with their sporting and academic futures."