ADRIAN, Mich. – Women in sports have been making their mark around campus at Siena Heights since the 1920s, but it was just after the passage of Title IX in 1972 that intercollegiate athletics began here.
The law states, "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 educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
Although "sport" is not mentioned in the law – it is hard to see what women's and girls' athletics would look like today if not for the legislation.
While women at Siena Heights originally played basketball in Walsh Hall primarily against each other starting in the 20s, intercollegiate athletics for women started officially on Siena Heights' campus with basketball, tennis, and volleyball in 1974.
Siena Heights added women's bowling by the spring of 1975, and the Saints' female athletes won the all-sports trophy from the Southeastern Women's Athletic Conference in 1974-75, according to the book "Hail, Siena! Siena Heights University: The first 100 years."
Title IX has allowed more opportunities for girls and women in sport. In 1971-72, there were just under 30,000 women participating in collegiate athletics compared to more than 170,000 men. While there is still work to be done, the disparity gap has shrunk in the 50 years since the passage of Title IX. Last year, there were 215,486 women in collegiate sports compared to 275,769 men, according to the Women's Sports Foundation.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Title IX– which helped unlock access to educational and athletic opportunities for girls and women – Siena Heights University will publish 12 feature stories highlighting various female athletes, coaches, and administrators for their dedication and impact on campus.
Our "Honoring Title IX" series will feature different history-makers each Tuesday. We'll also recognize each person during halftime of the women's basketball game on Dec. 3. Tipoff for that game is set for 5 p.m.
Those featured will include:
- SHU President Sister Peg Albert
- The late Sister Ann Joachim, early administrator
- The late Sister Alice Murnen, the first women's basketball coach/administrator
- Kathi Frant, first head women's volleyball coach and tennis coach
- Lisa Binkowski
- Sister Jeanne West, early administrator
- Ruth Gerdeman Seggerson, early administrator
- Sue Syljebeck, the first female athletic director
- Kim Berrington, the first female men's volleyball coach
- Cindy Hill, Angie Heath, Deb Ray – first head coaches/inaugural teams
- Jenny Gomoll, first head softball coach of the inaugural team
- Martha Hans, Theresa Padilla, Julie Tortora – first all-Americans from the Title IX era
To read more about the history of Title IX in the U.S., click here.
