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Title IX Timeline | Stories

"Being able to play the game of basketball has taught me much about teamwork, leadership, and hard work. These characteristics have not only developed me as a basketball player but as a woman. Sports provide an exciting backdrop to learn life’s lessons." "Having played sports most of my life and being involved in many recreation leagues, AAU and travel teams, and school teams gave me the opportunity to be where I am right now - to have received a college scholarship and then have gone on to the WNBA playing for the MN Lynx. Yet, this all came at a price. My parents not only put an enormous amount of time into allowing me to play basketball, but much money to pay for the teams, the travel expenses, the food, the shoes, etc. However, not every family may be able to afford these expenses which is why having grants for girls to participate in sports is an amazing gift that could change a girl’s future."

~Amber Jacobs, Minnesota Lynx

I attended a one-room school in Iowa for grades K-8. We played a lot of games that usually included the little kids along with the older kids. In high school, I was the catcher on our summer softball and was the student mgr. of the girl’s basketball team. In retrospect, I guess I didn’t think I had the ability to play basketball, and now, I wish that someone that given me a little encouragement. Who knows what might have happened?! It is a reminder to all of us that young girls do need to be encouraged to stretch their boundaries and supported when they try something new. Our basketball team traveled to the Iowa Girls High School State Basketball tournament in Des Moines where the high school girls were heroes!! My growing up years in Iowa became a catalyst for my thinking when I came to Minnesota and no girl’s sports existed. I came to realize that when girls are not able to participate in sports, society also closes doors to them in many other ways, i.e., career choices, politics, etc. So, equity in sports IS the door that opens the doors to equity throughout society.

~Dorothy McIntyre, Minnesota State High School League, Former Associate Director, co-author “Daughters of the Game”

When I was in high school (1963 - 1966), organized sports for girls was mostly gym and cheerleading. It was a little odd to be too much into sports. And the gym uniforms were UGLY! I played tennis and badminton, walked, biked, swam, water-skied, went to sock hops, etc. Definitely no contact sports. There really wasn’t much financial support for women’s athletics. Unfortunately, this meant I didn’t develop good athletic habits and connections in adult life. I occasionally joined groups to play racquetball or volleyball, but never for very long. I’m sure my current lack of fitness is connected to this lack of opportunity and encouragement when I was younger. I do recall earning the Presidential Fitness Award, but as I recall, it didn’t take much.

~Mary Ellis Peterson, Minneapolis Foundation

I participated in softball, basketball and horseback riding throughout my youth and early adulthood. Sports were a critical part of my upbringing. Being involved in sports allowed me to learn about being part of a team, group participation, as well as dealing with the joys and challenges of winning and losing. I know that as a single mother of a seven-year-old girl who loves ice skating, dancing and gymnastics, it’s expensive and time consuming to support her sports, but I wouldn’t dream of not having her involved.

~J. Marie Fieger, Nemer Fieger Marketing, Foundation IX Board Member

Organized sports for me were just starting for girls in the 10th grade, 1975 in my hometown of Peterson, Minnesota, population 269. So, I was captain of the very first basketball and volleyball team in our small town. The events were paid for and sponsored by the school district and we were very poor, so without it, I would not have been able to participate. There were many life lessons that I learned from some very humiliating experiences with a new team, like a loss of 98-6 to the largest team in our conference. But, it was the beginning and I believe as pioneers of the program we had to go through those difficult times to pave the way. However, unlike our male counterparts, our dads or moms had not shown us how to shoot a basketball since we were 4 or set up a hoop in our driveway. So, in 10th grade we were shooting a basketball for one of the very first timesÑthe process was the beginning of generations of change.

~Sharon Olson, Olson Weiss, LLC

Participating in sports has helped me to find my niche, develop confidence and self-esteem, make friends and have fun. It also gave me a special bond with my father who loved to teach me and watch me play. It has taught to enjoy and appreciate the benefit of staying fit which adds to my overall health and happiness. I was fortunate to have entered school right after Title IX so I had many sports opportunities. However, additional grant opportunities are a great way to ensure opportunity for those who might not be so fortunate.

~Regina Sullivan, Senior Associate Athletic Director, University of Minnesota

“My life has been a journey that has been positively affected and greatly influenced because I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to participate in sports. Sport has taught me lessons that can be applied to real life such as leadership, team work, work ethic, and positive thinking. I will never forget the amazing experiences that I have had and am thankful for the countless individuals who have been a part of the BEST part of my life! Therefore, I am extremely excited about being involved with Foundation IX because it is truly a blessing to be able to help provide the opportunity to participate in sport to as many young girls in Minnesota as possible. They are our future!”

~Angela Taylor, Minnesota Lynx, Foundation IX Founding Board Member

“I grew up in the 1960’s, an era when there were no girls’ competitive sports in high school in Minnesota. I have always felt cheated of this opportunity, and although I later joined competitive teams as an adult; I regret not having had the chance to play during my formative years. Many people believe that now that Title IX is in place, any girl can join any sport she wishes. However, large numbers of girls are prohibited from participating due to the lack of funds to pay registration fees, buy equipment, and enroll in camps or clinics. I am committed to the goals of Foundation IX to insure that ALL girls who wish to play sports have the opportunity to do so. I am determined that the void left by lack of sports in my life during my teen years will not be repeated for other girls today!”

~Nancy Hite, Foundation IX Founding Board Chair, former CEO YWCA of Minneapolis