Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Athletics Celebrates 50 Years of Title IX
6/23/2022 1:53:00 PM | General
The impact of Title IX on women's sports has been significant
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the historic federal legislation that created a legal expectation for women and girls to enjoy equal opportunities in sports. Title IX prompted rapid expansion in women's sports, and paved the way for the millions of girls and women who compete in sports today.
The impact of Title IX on women's sports has been significant. The law opened doors and removed barriers for girls and women to participate in sports programs at all levels. For many decades at schools and universities across the nation, girls and women were limited to intramural, sports clubs and park districts when participating in sports. In 1971, before Title IX passed, only one percent of collegiate athletic budgets went to women's sports programs. At the high school level, male athletes outnumbered female athletes 12.5 to 1.
That began to change on June 23, 1972, when Title IX was signed into law, establishing equal access for everyone, men and women included, to any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance, including sports. In the five decades since Title IX's passage, female participation at the high school level has grown by 1,057 percent and by 614 percent at the college level.
EMU sponsors 12 women's varsity sports teams with the addition of lacrosse for the 2022-23 school year. The first year of competition for women's varsity sports on the EMU campus came during the 1976-77 season with cross country, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, swimming & diving, outdoor track & field, and tennis. Soccer started in the fall of 1995, golf began in 1996-97 and indoor track & field started in 1997. Rowing was incorporated into the athletic department in 2001.
Overall, 60 women have been inducted into the E-Club Athletics Hall of Fame since 1981 when Shirley Spork earned the honor.
Lucy Parker was a pioneer and visionary figure in the world of women's athletics at Eastern Michigan University. Parker was responsible for increasing scholarships for women, moving women's coaching positions from part-time to full-time, and helping add intercollegiate sports offerings. Through hard work and the passage of Title IX, the Association of lntercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) became a reality. The AIAW functioned in the equivalent role for college women's programs before eventually merging with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
EMU Women's Sports Moments and People of Influence
Recognition of some of the most influential moments and people for Eastern women's athletics will be rolled out over the coming months through social media outlets and at EMUEagles.com.com.
Eastern Insider Podcasts Celebrating Women's Athletics
Podcasts featuring the stories and figures and success of EMU women's athletics from over the past 50 years.
Third Annual All-Sports Reunion at Homecoming
Join our field-level hospitality tent, available exclusively to former Eastern student-athletes and their families, during the Homecoming football game against the University of Massachusetts, Saturday, Oct. 1. Registration to attend the All-Sports Reunion is just $30 and includes entrance to the game, field-level access, drink tickets and snacks. Day of registration price will increase, so don't wait to secure your spot!
The impact of Title IX on women's sports has been significant. The law opened doors and removed barriers for girls and women to participate in sports programs at all levels. For many decades at schools and universities across the nation, girls and women were limited to intramural, sports clubs and park districts when participating in sports. In 1971, before Title IX passed, only one percent of collegiate athletic budgets went to women's sports programs. At the high school level, male athletes outnumbered female athletes 12.5 to 1.
That began to change on June 23, 1972, when Title IX was signed into law, establishing equal access for everyone, men and women included, to any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance, including sports. In the five decades since Title IX's passage, female participation at the high school level has grown by 1,057 percent and by 614 percent at the college level.
EMU sponsors 12 women's varsity sports teams with the addition of lacrosse for the 2022-23 school year. The first year of competition for women's varsity sports on the EMU campus came during the 1976-77 season with cross country, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, swimming & diving, outdoor track & field, and tennis. Soccer started in the fall of 1995, golf began in 1996-97 and indoor track & field started in 1997. Rowing was incorporated into the athletic department in 2001.
Overall, 60 women have been inducted into the E-Club Athletics Hall of Fame since 1981 when Shirley Spork earned the honor.
Lucy Parker was a pioneer and visionary figure in the world of women's athletics at Eastern Michigan University. Parker was responsible for increasing scholarships for women, moving women's coaching positions from part-time to full-time, and helping add intercollegiate sports offerings. Through hard work and the passage of Title IX, the Association of lntercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) became a reality. The AIAW functioned in the equivalent role for college women's programs before eventually merging with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
EMU Women's Sports Moments and People of Influence
Recognition of some of the most influential moments and people for Eastern women's athletics will be rolled out over the coming months through social media outlets and at EMUEagles.com.com.
Eastern Insider Podcasts Celebrating Women's Athletics
Podcasts featuring the stories and figures and success of EMU women's athletics from over the past 50 years.
Third Annual All-Sports Reunion at Homecoming
Join our field-level hospitality tent, available exclusively to former Eastern student-athletes and their families, during the Homecoming football game against the University of Massachusetts, Saturday, Oct. 1. Registration to attend the All-Sports Reunion is just $30 and includes entrance to the game, field-level access, drink tickets and snacks. Day of registration price will increase, so don't wait to secure your spot!
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