UConn reaches settlement with rowers in gender equity suit

By PAT EATON-ROBB
AP Sports Writer

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — The University of Connecticut has settled a gender equity lawsuit, ensuring the school keeps its women’s rowing program for at least the next five years. The lawsuit was filed by 12 rowers after the school announced in June 2020 that the sport would be among several eliminated in budget cuts. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order in May, ruling the rowers were likely to prevail in their lawsuit. It alleged that eliminating the team would violate Title IX, the federal law that guarantees equal access to women in education, including athletics. UConn also agreed to increase rowing scholarships from 14 to 20, hire three full-time assistant coaches and hire independent monitors to annually audit the school’s Title IX compliance.