Athletic Director Ted Leland named co-chair of Commission on Opportunity in Athletics: 6/02

NEWS RELEASE

6/27/02

CONTACT: Scott R. Leykam, Department of Athletics, (650) 723-0996

Athletic Director Ted Leland named co-chair of Commission on Opportunity in Athletics

Stanford University Athletic Director Ted Leland has been named a co-chairman of the United States Secretary of Education's Commission on Opportunity in Athletics. The appointment was announced on Thursday by U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige.

The 15-member panel will examine ways of strengthening enforcement of Title IX (the 30-year-old anti-discrimination law) and expanding opportunities to ensure fairness for all college athletes.

Leland will co-chair the commission with former WNBA standout Cynthia Cooper. The panel also includes Stanford alumna Julie Foudy '94, who is president of the Women's Sports Foundation and one of the top soccer players in the world.

"I am honored to be a part of this prestigious commission," Leland said. "Title IX legislation has had an incredibly positive effect on collegiate athletics, both at Stanford University and throughout the nation."

Leland has served as Stanford's director of athletics since 1991, and the program has flourished under his guidance. Leland, who was named the 2000-01 NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics)/Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal Division I Athletic Director of the Year, directs a department that includes 34 intercollegiate varsity teams 15 men's, 18 women's and one co-ed and has an annual budget of approximately $45 million.

Stanford has won 42 national team championships since Leland's arrival, including 20 women's titles. The Cardinal has won nine women's national championships in the last five years alone, including three in 2001-02 (tennis, volleyball, water polo). Stanford ranks first in the nation with 28 all-time NCAA Women's Team Championships.

Leland has guided Stanford to eight consecutive Sears Directors' Cup Championships, which is emblematic of the top overall athletic program in the nation. Stanford has also twice been named the "top college for women athletes" by Sports Illustrated for Women. The Sports Illustrated for Women study included Sears Cup points; varsity, club and intramural opportunities; graduation rates; financial aid; fan support; sports-related curriculum; traditions and attitude.

"I am pleased that current Stanford President John Hennessy, as well as past presidents, have given such strong support to Title IX," Leland said.

Leland, 53, spent three years as athletic director of the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., prior to his appointment at Stanford. Earlier, Leland served as athletic director of Dartmouth College ('83-89), senior associate director of athletics of Northwestern University ('81-83), assistant athletic director of the University of Houston ('79-81) and assistant football coach and instructor of physical education at Stanford ('78-79).

Leland graduated from the University of the Pacific in 1970 and earned a master's degree from UOP in physical education in 1972. He earned his Ph.D. from Stanford in 1982 in education/sports psychology.

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