RICHMOND, Virginia, February 12. MEMBERS of Virginia government are not pleased with the cutting of seven men's athletic teams by James Madison University in order to come into Title IX compliance. Of course, one of the team's on the chopping block is men's swimming. Last week, the Virginia House of Delegates Education Committee threatened to slash funding for JMU
Steven Landes, a republican delegate, said the school "cut the legs out from under 144 athletes." Landes and several other delegates indicated that budget requests by James Madison might be connected to JMU reconsidering its decisions and stance. Of its 28 sports, JMU announced it was cutting 10, seven of which were men's programs.
At last week's meeting, delegates repeatedly ripped into James Madison's decision, particularly for not giving the students the chance to take part in the decision process. JMU officials did not attend the meeting of delegates, who said that the school had other options to save money without cutting sports and taking opportunities away from students.