Equestrian Student Sues Delware State University

By Melanie Huggett

The father of Ontario student Melia Blakely is suing Delaware State University (DSU) over the elimination of its women's equestrian program.

The class action lawsuit claims the university is discriminating against female athletes and committing fraud.

Blakely had been accepted to the university on a full athletic scholarship. She signed a letter of intent with DSU which prohibited her from talking to any other universities and so she lost the opportunity for a full scholarship at another school.

DSU started the women's equestrian program in 2005 to comply with Title IX, which requires universities and colleges provide equal opportunities for women in collegiate sports. The suit alleges that scrapping the women's equestrian team goes against Title IX, as it eliminates opportunities for women athletes, who are already underrepresented at the school.

DSU cancelled the women's equestrian team and men's tennis team to reduce their athletics budget by $700,000. This takes away 25 team spots and 15 recruit spots for women on the equestrian team, and 6 spots for men on the tennis team.

The family is also upset that they received no letter or phone call from DSU saying the team had been discontinued. Blakely found out on Facebook.

Blakely won the 2009 Canadian Appaloosa 18-and-under Reining Championship and was rated fifth  out of 700 riders in the 2008 World Reining Horse Association 14 to 18 competition.

“It is not prudent for us to comment on pending litigation, and for that reason we have no comment on the lawsuit,” said DSU spokesman Carlos Holmes.

With files from The Toronto Star and Sussex Countian.