US EditionMarshall drops plans to eliminate women’s swimming and diving a week after student-led lawsuit
- On Mar 18, 2026, Marshall University reversed plans to cut its women's swimming and diving program, citing concerns raised in a swimmers' lawsuit and potential litigation costs.
- Last month, Marshall announced it would drop women's swimming and add stunt, and Gerald Harrison told the Marshall Board of Governors on Feb. 17 the swim team has a $819,000 annual budget and inadequate facilities.
- The swimmers' lawsuit revealed an independent audit conducted last fall showing Marshall has struggled to meet Title IX requirements for women’s athletic participation opportunities, with compliance measured by gender proportion in programs.
- Marshall will continue plans to add stunt as a varsity sport, which could support up to 65 athletes at an estimated $320,000 per year, creating a lower-cost alternative to the Marshall women's swim and dive team.
- Over the past year, many universities have adjusted sports programs amid a $2.8 billion NCAA settlement, and Ian Walsh, Marshall swim coach, said he was 'incredibly proud' of the athletes.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Marshall athletics: Marshall to reinstate swimming and diving program
Marshall announced Wednesday, March 18, 2026, that it will retain its swimming and diving program while continuing plans to add STUNT as a varsity sport. The decision stems from a Board of Governors special meeting on Wednesday morning with an updated strategy for financial sustainability and Title IX participation.
Washington Top News
The RecordMarshall drops plans to eliminate women’s swimming and diving a week after student-led lawsuit
Marshall University dropped plans to eliminate its women’s swimming and diving program on Wednesday, citing concerns raised in a lawsuit over compliance questions involving Title IX. The reversal was announced after a special meeting of the Marshall Board of Governors and came a week after a group of swimmers filed a lawsuit seeking to retain the sport. “Leadership is about making difficult decisions and tradeoffs, and sometimes those decisions …
Associated Press News
Marshall drops plans to eliminate women's swimming and diving a week after student-led lawsuit
Marshall has dropped plans to eliminate its women's swimming and diving program. The move comes after swim team members filed a lawsuit saying an independent audit showed Marshall struggled to meet Title IX requirements for athletic participation opportunities for women.
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