Basic Services
Good Sports, Inc., provides technical assistance to colleges and universities, high schools, and middle schools in complying with the athletics provisions of Title IX.
Full Program Review. A full program review is the equivalent of a federal government investigation and involves collecting and analyzing detailed information for every team for all 13 Title IX program areas. Potential major and minor compliance concerns in each area are identified. Alternatives for compliance are explained, first orally, then followed by a thorough written report. Collecting information involves the completion of questionnaires, a three to five day on-site visit, and collection of specific information such as budgets, squad lists, media guides, coaches’ contracts, enrollment information, etc. The on-site visit includes a tour of facilities (including practice and competitive facilities, locker rooms, training rooms, weight rooms, equipment rooms, and office space) and interviews with the head coaches and some athletics staff. The longest questionnaire is that for the head coach, while questionnaires for assistant coaches and most staff require less than an hour to complete. The questionnaires are sent in advance of the scheduled on-site visit to allow staff to complete them at their convenience. The questionnaires include reasonable cross-checks of information to enhance accuracy. The written report outlines the issues reviewed, summarizes the benefits provided to students, identifies any compliance concerns, and explains specific options for remedying compliance problems. Because of the extensive detail collected and analyzed, we recommend that our full program reviews be conducted only every five years unless there have been significant changes in coaching assignments or sports offerings. Since founding Good Sports, Inc., in 1994, we have conducted multiple full program reviews for several of our clients.
Advisory Consultation. Advisory consultations may involve a general review of several Title IX program areas or target specific issues, for example, sports offerings (the accommodation of interests and abilities – three part-test) or scholarships, for thorough analyses. The issues to be reviewed determine whether an on-site visit is necessary and the type of data to be collected. Conclusions and remedies for compliance concerns may be presented with an oral briefing and/or written summary. The second most requested service after our full program reviews is a detailed analysis of the three-part test under the accommodation of interests and abilities. Interests and abilities reviews do not require an on-site visit.
Seminar / Workshop. A seminar of one to two hours (lecture format with questions and answers) or a longer workshop (some practical, hands-on experience for staff in analyzing information concerning their program) covers the basic areas for compliance. The participants for a seminar or workshop may include athletics administrators, coaches, institution counsel, institution administrators, or others as identified by institution officials.
Question and Answer Session. A question and answer session of one or more hours may be arranged as a cost-effective alternative for a seminar. As there is no set format or preparation time involved, the costs for professional time are hourly. A Q & A Session may be arranged by conference call, if desired.
Document Reviews. Reports and draft documents may be reviewed for Title IX considerations. An oral briefing and/or written summary may be provided.
Written Guidance. Written analyses and guidance may be provided for case-specific requests.
Costs – Most assignments are completed with a project cost that includes all expenses. Hourly rates plus expenses incurred may be charged for specific requests.
OUR CLIENTS
Our clients include colleges and universities, high schools, collegiate athletics conferences, national sport organizations, and state high school associations. Approximately 40% of our clients are NCAA Division I member institutions, most of which are Division I-A, while many others are Division I-AA. Nearly 20% of our clients are NCAA Division III institutions, while 11% are NCAA Division II, NAIA, or community college institutions, regional conferences, or associations. Approximately 25% of our clients are individual high schools or state high school associations. Other clients include national and regional athletics conferences, including the NCAA, and state bar associations.