Supporters of gymnastics have filed a brief urging the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold a South Dakota court order preventing the Sioux Falls School District from eliminating its gymnastics program.
The school district faces a lawsuit and Title IX complaint for cutting the gymnastics program from its budget and sports offerings.
Gymnastics supporters argue that female athletic participation, already not substantially proportionate to overall female enrollment, will worsen if the program is eliminated.
They refute the district’s claim of gymnastics being a “declining” sport, citing strong state-level interest and pointing to obstacles created by the district itself.
The brief highlights issues such as the elimination of middle school gymnastics, lack of summer camps, and consolidation of coaches and practice locations.
Gymnasts also present student interest surveys showing more girls interested in gymnastics than in subsequently added sports.
The district’s proposed solution of sending all high school gymnastics teams to a single location faced opposition.
The gymnasts request oral argument time in the case.