Biediger, Lawler, Overdevest, Corinaldes V. Quinnipiac University

Team:
Juan Figueira
Natasha Kardassis


Overview of the case - The Biediger, Lawler, Overdevest, Corinaldes V. Quinnipiac University

case filed was consequence of Quinnipiac University’s decision made in March 2009 to

terminate three athletic programs in order to inaugurate a women’s cheerleading team. The three

affected programs were men’s golf, men’s outdoor track and the women’s volleyball team. Five

frustrated members of the women’s volleyball team decided to pursue the matter through the

legal system. The decision to cut the women’s volleyball team was not only provocative because

of the effect it would take on its athletes, but also because cheerleading, at the time of the

decision, was not an officially recognized varsity intercollegiate sport. Moreover, eliminating

the volleyball team implied that the university stops offering scholarships to those particular

athletes. Five members of the women’s volleyball team along with the coach decided to sue the

university contending that the school’s decision was in violation of Title IX of the Educational

Act of 1972. Title XI states “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be

excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under

any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”1 The violation of Title

IX implied that the women’s volleyball team was discriminated by the school on the basis of se

when it came to various athletic opportunities.

Litigants - The plaintiffs in this case were Quinnipiac Women’s Volleyball team members

1

Title IX Education Amendments of 1972. http://www.dol.gov/oasam/regs/statutes/titleix.htm

Stephanie Biediger, Kayla Lawler, Erin Overdevest, Kristen Corinaldes, Logan Riker, and their

coach Robin Lamott Sparks. The defendant was Quinnipiac University.

Date and Court – The complaint was brought to the United States District court in the district of

Connecticut on April 16th 2009.

Status of the Case – The case was resolved and the court ruled that Quinnipiac University

violated title XI failing to provide equal athletic participation for women athletes. The court also

ruled that competitive cheerleading would not qualify as a varsity support under Title XI.

Plaintiff’s Request – The plaintiff’s request is to reverse Quinnipiac University’s decision to

reinstate the women’s volleyball team because by eliminating the program the university is

violating Title IX.