The varsity status process was initiated when the women's soccer club team petitioned the college Athletic Council. The club, which has been in existence for nine years, developed a proposal which included a budget plan, interest level, and anticipated numbers of participants as well as a schedule of possible opponents.
The council consists of five student-athletes, one alumnus, two faculty members, one administration member, and two members of the Department of Physical Education and Athletics. Director of Physical Education and Athletics, Raymond Gilbert, recommended unanimous acceptance of the proposal that was approved by President Strauss.
The varsity team will compete in the New England Women's 8 Conference with Babson College, Clark University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Wellesley College and Wheaton College as well as non-conference opponents in the region. With WPI sponsoring varsity soccer, the NEW-8 Conference will have a full complement of institutions competing in in-season play and vying for the season ending championship.
Gilbert had this to say of the move: "By adding women's varsity soccer, WPI believes that there will be an increase in the number of prospective students interested in attending WPI to pursue academic and athletic interests. It will provide an opportunity for our women to participate on the varsity level in soccer against quality opponents. The club team has demonstrated consistent numbers of players with an interest in playing soccer. We have a talented group of student-athletes attending WPI with a high school background in soccer."
With the elevation of women's soccer, WPI now sponsors 19 sports at the varsity level; 10 for men and 9 for women. The men's varsity sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field and wrestling. The women's varsity sports include basketball, cross country, field hockey, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field and volleyball.