Document: 525 U.S. 459119 S.Ct. 924142 L.Ed.2d 929 139 F.3d 180, vacated and remanded. SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES No. 98 84 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, PETITIONER v.R. M. SMITH ON WRIT CERTIORARI TO APPEALS FOR THIRD CIRCUIT [February 23, 1999] Justice Ginsburg delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case concerns amenability National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA or Association) to a private action under Title IX Education Amendments 1972. The NCAA is an unincorporated association approximately 1,200 members, including virtually all public universities 4-year colleges conducting major athletic programs in United States; serves maintain intercollegiate athletics as integral part its members' educational programs. proscribes sex discrimination "any education program activity receiving Federal financial assistance." 20 U.S.C. § 1681(a). 2 complainant this case, Renee Smith, sued alleging that discriminated against her on basis by denying permission play volleyball at federally assisted institutions. Reversing District Court's refusal allow Smith amend pro se complaint, Court Appeals for Third Circuit held NCAA's receipt dues from funded member institutions would suffice bring within scope IX. We reject determination inconsistent with governing statute, regulation, decisions. Dues payments recipients federal funds, we hold, do not render recipient subject address alternative grounds, urged respondent States amicus curiae, support IX's application litigation, leave resolution those grounds courts below remand. 3 * Rules adopted govern universities; "[b]y joining NCAA, each agrees abide enforce [the Association's] rules." Assn. v. Tarkanian, 488 179, 183 (1988); see 1993 94 Manual, Const., Arts. 1.2(h), 1.3.2, p. 1. Among these rules Postbaccalaureate Bylaw, which allows postgraduate student-athlete participate only institution awarded undergraduate degree. See Bylaw 14.1.8.2, 123.1 4 Respondent enrolled St. Bonaventure University, member, 1991. joined team fall 1991 remained throughout 1992 seasons. She elected following year. 5 graduated 1/2 years. During 1994 1995 year, she was Hofstra University; 1996 different University Pittsburgh. sought during years, but denied eligibility postbaccalaureate restrictions. At Smith's request, Pittsburgh petitioned waive Each time, refused grant waiver. 6 In August 1996, filed lawsuit se, alleging, among other things, excluded participating sex, violation 1972, 86 Stat. 373, amended, 1681 et seq.2 complaint did attack face, instead alleged discriminates granting more 7 waivers restrictions male than female student-athletes. Complaint ¶26, Joint App. Nos. 97 3346 3347 (CA3), (hereinafter App.); Amended ¶64, 98. 8 moved dismiss claim ground failed allege assistance. opposition, argued governs are educational, benefited economically funds. 55 56. 9 Concluding connections between assistance were "too far attenuated" sustain claim, dismissed suit. 978 F. Supp. 213, 219, 220 (WD Pa. 1997). then add defendants, ¶63, 97, "receives through another operates receives benefits such assistance," Id., ¶65, motion "as moot, court having granted NCAA's] dismiss." Pet. Cert. 36a. 10 reversed complaint. 190 (1998). agreed original state claim. 189. But proposed amended said, "plainly alleges institutions, receive funds." 190. That allegation, held, "would be sufficient funds survive Ibid. Under Circuit's ruling, need prove remand proceed dues, fact dispute. 11 review, Appeals' decision conflicted Department Transp. Paralyzed Veterans America, 477 597 (1986). 15. certiorari, 524 ___ (1998), decide whether organization does because it entities do. II 12 Section 901(a) 1681(a), provides "[n]o person shall, participation in, of, subjected any assistance."3 Civil Rights Restoration Act 1987 (CRRA), 102 28, 1687 "program activity" includes "all operations college, university, postsecondary institution, system higher extended §1687(2)(A). CRRA also institution-wide coverage "principally engaged business providing education" services, §1687(3)(A)(ii), created two covered entities, §1687(4).4 Thus, if received assistance, 13 have twice before considered when entity qualifies Grove City College Bell, 465 555, 563 570 (1984), college enrolls students who earmarked expenses. Finding "no hint" distinguishes "between direct institutional aid school students," concluded "encompass[es] forms education, indirect." 564 (internal quotation marks omitted). 14 Veterans, U.S., 603 612, §504 Rehabilitation 1973, 29 794 prohibits disability substantially same terms uses prohibit discrimination. group representing disabled veterans contended Transportation had authority commercial air carriers virtue Government's extensive airports. airlines airport operators construction projects, even used projects especially beneficial airlines. Application observed, yield almost "limitless coverage." 608. "[t]he statute covers aid, extend benefit it." 607.5 15 determined "not [to] apply definition 'recipient' IX," F.3d, 189, finding 34 CFR 106.2 (1997), regulation issued Education. interpreted Department's define "recipient" "an 'which benefits' 189 (quoting §106.2(h)). reasoned §106.2(h) extends beneficiaries funding well recipients. Applying limited rule appeals concluded, "render regulatory nullity." 16 reading give effect entirety. 106.2(h) defines include "to whom directly first makes clear triggered merely funding. accords teaching Veterans: Entities intermediary, meaning IX; not. 17 conclusion requirements members precedent. Unlike student City, there no allegation paid their purpose. most, Association's demonstrates indirectly afforded members. showing, without more, insufficient trigger coverage. 18 While dispositively relied noted distinctions case: "created comprised of" schools "with respect 188. respects, relationship "qualitatively operators." Evident may be, they bear narrow question today reason itself. III 19 presses theories bringing prescriptions IX.6 First, asserts Youth Sports Program administers. Brief 35 37, 39 41.7 Second, argues cedes controlling over entity, regardless itself recipient. 41 46; Amicus Curiae 27. As Roberts Galen Va., Inc., ___, (1999) (slip op., 5), Bestfoods, 51, 72-73 instance issues decided below. 21 22 For reasons stated, conclude erroneously suit Accordingly, vacate judgment further proceedings consistent opinion. 23 It so ordered. Notes 24 exception general restricting full-time studies leading baccalaureate 14.1.8.1, 123. full, provides: "A graduate professional he previously attended (regardless individual has degree equivalent), seeking second equivalent student-athelete continuing while taking course work lead defined documented athletics, provided remaining occurs applicable five-year 10-semester period set forth 14.2." 14.1.8.2. 25 2. stated Sherman contract law 218 1997), declined retain supplemental jurisdiction id., 220. affirmed dismissal 187 (CA3 1998), certiorari issue, 26 3. several antidiscrimination measures nearly identical terms. §601 VI 1964, 42 2000d (prohibiting race assistance"); 794(a) §303 Age Discrimination 1975, 6102 age assistance"). 27 4. Congress enacted response Part our 570-574 IX, originally enacted, specific Franklin Gwinnett County Public Schools, 503 60, 73 (1992) (noting endeavored, 1987, correct what unacceptable City"). 28 5. suggests control presented here involved Government enforcement argument hinges position right available 1681(a) potentially broader §1682. position. There express authorization lawsuits Cannon Chicago, 441 677, 717 (1979), intended authorize though expressly. think anomalous assume implied proscribe conduct check. 1682 (authorizing administrative terminating noncomplying recipient, §1682(1), "by means authorized law," §1682(2)). 6. brief alluded theories. Appellant 3347(CA3), pp. 5, (arguing operates); ibid. assumes thereby IX). 30 7. Two Courts found creates issue regarding Bowers Assn., 2d 460, 494 (NJ 1998) (denying summary "there genuine questions material [National Fund]"); Cureton Assn, Civ. A. 131, 1997 WL 634376, *2 (ED Pa., Oct. 9, 1997) (refusing action). Also, Health Human Services letter determinations Fund. 20. We, course, positioned make currently review factfindings theory respondent.

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