Women’s Football Conference 2013
Sports Law Conference 2013:
Starting Women’s Football Plus an Update Regarding Head Injuries and Developments in Sports Law
Hosted by the Center for Sports Law & Policy at Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Friday, September 20, 2013 Room 323, 3rd Floor 11:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
2 Hours of General MCLE Credit Available
Check-in and Lunch Distribution, 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Introduction and Award Presentation, 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lunch and Conferral of the 2nd Annual Rudolph C. Hasl Leader in Sports Award to David Williams, II, Vanderbilt Athletics Director
Address by David Williams, II, followed by audience questions, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
The Center will be honoring David Williams II, the Vice Chancellor for University Affairs & Athletics, Athletics Director and Professor of Law at Vanderbilt, Chair of NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee, Member of NCAA Academic Cabinet and Member of NCAA Enforcement Working Group, as its Rudolph C. Hasl Leader in Sports Award. This award is given to an individual who has exhibited exemplary leadership in sports. David Williams, who has his academic roots in law, is a real leader in intercollegiate athletics. As a leading Athletic Director of color at a BCS school, Willams has gained the respect of other leaders in the industry. He currently serves on the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions and has worked with the SEC in negotiating its latest media agreement with ESPN. He has been a strong advocate for the student-athlete during his years in working in athletics at Ohio State University and Vanderbilt.
Award Presented by: Professor Randy Grossman, Esq.
1:00 – 1:05 p.m. Break
Session 1 – 1:05 – 2:20 p.m.
Center for Sports Law and Policy White Paper:
“Solving the Title IX Conundrum in an Equitable Manner: Starting Intercollegiate Women’s Football”
The Thomas Jefferson School of Law will be issuing its first white paper regarding the issue of starting women’s intercollegiate football. Universities across the country continue to struggle to comply with Title IX and provide women with opportunities to participate in intercollegiate athletics. The NCAA has suggested adding opportunities for women in bowling, equestrian and rowing. States like Florida sponsor strong and growing interscholastic women’s football programs. The white paper examines whether the NCAA, NAIA and other intercollegiate athletic associations should sponsor women’s football and concludes that women’s football will help solve Title IX issues, increasing participation opportunities for women, in a manner that is racially equitable and will address the kind of stereotyping that often occurs in athletic opportunities for women. The white paper looks at the issue from an historical and policymaking perspective and then provides a roadmap for recognition of women’s football as an intercollegiate sport.
Introduction: Professor Rodney Smith, Director of the Center for Sports Law & Policy
Panel:
Lindsay Demery, J.D., Why Women’s Football?
Erika Torrez, Law Student, How it becomes recognized?
Claire M. Zovko, Esq., Response
Audience questions at 2:05 p.m.
Moderator: Brandon Leopoldus, Esq.
2:20 – 2:25 p.m. Break
Session 2 – 2:25 – 3:40 p.m.
Developments in Sports: Head Injuries and Other Issues
This session of the Conference deals with the continuing problem of head and related injuries in sports at all levels: professional, intercollegiate and interscholastic. Last year, the Center for Sports Law & Policy brought leading legal and medical personnel together to look into issues related to head injuries and the well-being of athletes at all levels. This session follows up on the work done in that conference, bringing leaders at the professional, collegiate, interscholastic and youth levels together to address latest developments in the area and to discuss how we can best address these serious issues in the future. One of the participants also will bring an international perspective to our panel. As is the case with the white paper, this session is intended to highlight the Center’s commitment to taking on the most significant issues in sports and looking for solutions to those issues.
Introduction: Professor Joy Delman
Panel:
Ben Coughlan, Esq. and Ron Mix, Esq., Issues in professional sports
Rey Hernandez, Esq. and Professor Rodney Smith, Issues in amateur sports
James Paterson, Esq., Head injuries in international sports
Audience questions at 3:25 p.m.
Moderator: Jeremy M. Evans, Esq.
Rooftop (8th Floor) Reception – 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
Cost
FREE to all Attendees MCLE credit. If you are requesting MCLE credit, the cost is $10.00. The deadline has passed to order box lunches, but you may bring your own lunch.
You may also make a donation or sponsor the Center for Sports Law & Policy. To make a donation or sponsor, send your check (made payable to TJSL) to Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Development & Alumni Relations, 1155 Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101.
2 hours of general MCLE credit available.
*Minimum Continuing Legal Education Credit MCLE credit is available upon request. Thomas Jefferson School of Law is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider. This program qualifies for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California.