Happy 50 Birthday, th
Celebrating the landmark legislation that opened doors for girls and women in sports By Shawn Ladda
I
t was the spring of 1971, a year prior to the passing of Title IX. I was 11 and standing behind a backstop at my brothers’ Little League team practice in Wellesley, MA. Because girls were not allowed to play in Little League, I shagged balls behind the backstop while watching my brothers practice on the field. The coach saw how skilled I was and asked me to play. I told him I would love to, but I didn’t think girls were allowed. He said not to worry. He would ask the opposing coach, and if he didn’t care then I would be able to play. My debut Little League game was also my last. I struck out too many boys and was banned from the league. After Title IX was passed the following year, Little League allowed girls to play — but I was too old by then. This June 23, Title IX will turn 50. When most people hear “Title IX” they think of athletics, but Title IX’s inspiration came from women
not being admitted into graduate programs in higher education institutions. It was, however, quickly applied to athletics — and the impact of this 37-word law has been incredible. If you look at comparative statistics from 1972 to 2022, you’ll see the dramatic increase in the number of athletic opportunities for girls and women. Interestingly, boys and men have also increased their opportunities. However, one unintended consequence of the passage of Title IX is that leadership positions — including coaches and athletic administrators — have shifted. When Title IX was passed in 1972, 90% of head coaches of women’s collegiate teams were female. Today it is a much different story. According to the NCAA Demographic Database, within all NCAA divisions, only 24% of athletic leadership is female — and of that group, only 7% is females of color.
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
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Spring 2022 • Momentum
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