Officials: CSUN Complies With Equity Funding Rules

Although the California chapter of the National Organization for Women sued the 19-school California State University system Feb. 3, alleging state gender equity violations in their athletic departments, Cal State Northridge officials say the school is in compliance in terms of funding.

The suit claims that CSU schools are in violation of California Education Codes that require equal opportunities for women in athletics and equitable funding of female and male sports.

Northridge spends an average of $5,426 per year on each female athlete compared to $3,907 on each male athlete. Those figures include coaching salaries, scholarships, uniforms, equipment and travel.

“We’ve been very cognizant of the difference between male and female (athletes) all along . . . the funding bases are equitable,” Athletic Director Bob Hiegert said.

Subtracting football’s 55 athletes because there is no comparable female sport, Northridge has slightly more male athletes (139) than female (113).

In its 18-sport program, Northridge offers eight sports for women (volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis, swimming, indoor/outdoor track and field, cross country) and 10 for men (football, basketball, baseball, golf, swimming, volleyball, soccer, indoor/outdoor track and field, cross-country).

Northridge spends the most money on men’s basketball players ($12,315) and the least on golfers ($1,868), according to the latest budgetary figures. The men’s sport that receives the second-highest amount per player is baseball ($8,021). Spending drops considerably to the next sports, football ($3,820) and swimming ($3,279).

Basketball ($11,297), volleyball ($10,436) and softball ($7,093) receive the most money on the women’s side. Swimmers are at the low end ($1,874).