A U.S. District Court judge ruled that Michigan State's decision to discontinue its men's and women's swimming and diving teams in October 2020 violates Title IX, the federal law banning sexual discrimination in education.
Eleven Spartan swimmers and divers filed a lawsuit against the university in January 2021 claiming MSU's decision provides poor athletic participation opportunities for women athletes.
The plaintiff's request was originally denied, but after an appeal and remand for consideration, U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou has granted their motion in part.
The court's decision does not suggest MSU, which said it ended the swimming and diving programs due to budget reasons, needs to bring back its swimming and diving teams.