HAMDEN, Conn. – On June 5, over 20 former, incoming and past Quinnipiac Rugby players filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Connecticut. The lawsuit claims that the university violated Title IX with their decision to eliminate the program on April 14. 

This action comes a little under two months after the program was dropped to the club level in order to add a men’s indoor and outdoor distance within the current track and field program. In the university’s press release announcing this change, current Quinnipiac Director of Athletics Greg Amodio stated:

“These decisions are never easy, but they are essential to ensuring that Quinnipiac Athletics remains equitable, competitive, and sustainable for the long term.” 

Amodio would further emphasize that the decision was not to “diminish the dedication, effort or ability” of current players, coaches or alumni. 

The lawsuit alleges Quinnipiac on three counts of Title IX violations, including allegations of retaliation and unequal distribution of benefits for athletes and discrimination. Along with these allegations, the plaintiffs are also requesting that Quinnipiac doesn’t demote the rugby program to club level until the dispute is settled.

The lawsuit also points to Quinnipiac’s history with Title IX, most recently when the university was found guilty of Title IX violations in 2010. In that ruling, the university was in violation of Title IX’s requirement for equal athletic participation opportunities when they tried to cut the school’s volleyball program.

The process for this case has only just begun and it will be a long time before any decision will be made.