Rutgers Athletics To Celebrate 50th Anniversary Of Title IX
May 25 | General
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers Intercollegiate Athletics will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the landmark federal law known as Title IX that was signed into law on June 23, 1972, in a year-long celebration.
Throughout the 2022-23 academic year, Rutgers will take a look back at the historic rise of women in athletics "On The Banks" recognizing the foundation built by prior student-athletes, coaches and administrators. Rutgers currently sponsors 14 women's varsity athletic programs with 350 female student-athletes.
"Title IX has led to tremendous opportunities for so many young women," said Pat Hobbs, Rutgers athletic director. "This has led to competitive success on the playing fields and in the classroom. These women have gone on to shape society in immeasurable ways and have inspired millions of young women to dream of competing at the collegiate level while pursuing higher education. I'm proud of how our staff has collaborated to celebrate these amazing contributions in a way that meets the moment. We will pay homage to the great work that has been done for the first 50 years of Title IX and remain steadfast to ensuring that the next 50 years are even more impactful."
Rutgers Athletics will host programs and tributes throughout the 2022-23 academic year including a student-athlete panel open to current and former letterwinners featuring Rutgers track & field alumna and NBC Sports Reporter Kathryn Tappen, a screening of the documentary "Forgotten Champions" about the 1982 AIAW Women's Basketball Championship and a halftime celebration of women in athletics at the Rutgers-Nebraska football game.
Women's rowing started off the celebration in May naming two, brand-new shells – the Janet Koontz and Nancy Mitchell – in honor of pioneering women in athletics at the University. Koontz was an assistant professor of health and physical education at Douglass College who oversaw the initiation of intercollegiate athletics for women, served on the University's Committee for Women's Athletics and assisted in the inauguration of the Association of Women's Collegiate Athletics Administrators of New Jersey. Mitchell was an administrator and advisor at Douglass College for 38 years and was instrumental in the establishment of women's athletics. She chaired the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Studies, served as a faculty representative to the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women and was the Chairperson for the President's Athletic Advisory Committee at Rutgers.
Current and former women letterwinners are invited to commemorate Title IX at the October 7th Rutgers football game against Nebraska. All women letterwinners will be welcomed back "On The Banks" for a pregame tailgate and to join current women student-athletes in a halftime march-on to celebrate the past, present and future of women in sport. Letterwinners currently registered with VarsityR will receive an email with additional details and registration in the upcoming weeks. To join or update contact information with VarsityR and receive the most up-to-date information about letterwinner celebrations throughout the year click here.
Rutgers Athletics also invites girls under the age of 12 to join in the celebration by participating in a Title IX writing competition. All entries in the "My Favorite Female Athlete Is …" writing competition will receive a free ticket along with the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to the Rutgers-Nebraska football game on October 7. The top 50 essays in the competition will be invited to participate in the on-field march-on during halftime. Contest rules and entry information coming soon.
Various recognitions will also occur at selected home games as 2022-23 schedules are announced.
ScarletKnights.com will also feature profiles and stories of letterwinners, coaches and administrators who helped build the foundation and continue to carry the torch of success in women's athletics at the University.
You can help Rutgers Athletics celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX support in supporting the Rutgers Women's Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund. The fund will allow for alumni, fans and friends of Rutgers Athletics to share in the commitment to help build a strong and sustainable future for the women's athletics programs at Rutgers. Click here for more information on R Fund and supporting Women's Student-Athlete Scholarships.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates.
"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."
- Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
- Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
Throughout the 2022-23 academic year, Rutgers will take a look back at the historic rise of women in athletics "On The Banks" recognizing the foundation built by prior student-athletes, coaches and administrators. Rutgers currently sponsors 14 women's varsity athletic programs with 350 female student-athletes.
"Title IX has led to tremendous opportunities for so many young women," said Pat Hobbs, Rutgers athletic director. "This has led to competitive success on the playing fields and in the classroom. These women have gone on to shape society in immeasurable ways and have inspired millions of young women to dream of competing at the collegiate level while pursuing higher education. I'm proud of how our staff has collaborated to celebrate these amazing contributions in a way that meets the moment. We will pay homage to the great work that has been done for the first 50 years of Title IX and remain steadfast to ensuring that the next 50 years are even more impactful."
Rutgers Athletics will host programs and tributes throughout the 2022-23 academic year including a student-athlete panel open to current and former letterwinners featuring Rutgers track & field alumna and NBC Sports Reporter Kathryn Tappen, a screening of the documentary "Forgotten Champions" about the 1982 AIAW Women's Basketball Championship and a halftime celebration of women in athletics at the Rutgers-Nebraska football game.
Women's rowing started off the celebration in May naming two, brand-new shells – the Janet Koontz and Nancy Mitchell – in honor of pioneering women in athletics at the University. Koontz was an assistant professor of health and physical education at Douglass College who oversaw the initiation of intercollegiate athletics for women, served on the University's Committee for Women's Athletics and assisted in the inauguration of the Association of Women's Collegiate Athletics Administrators of New Jersey. Mitchell was an administrator and advisor at Douglass College for 38 years and was instrumental in the establishment of women's athletics. She chaired the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Studies, served as a faculty representative to the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women and was the Chairperson for the President's Athletic Advisory Committee at Rutgers.
Current and former women letterwinners are invited to commemorate Title IX at the October 7th Rutgers football game against Nebraska. All women letterwinners will be welcomed back "On The Banks" for a pregame tailgate and to join current women student-athletes in a halftime march-on to celebrate the past, present and future of women in sport. Letterwinners currently registered with VarsityR will receive an email with additional details and registration in the upcoming weeks. To join or update contact information with VarsityR and receive the most up-to-date information about letterwinner celebrations throughout the year click here.
Rutgers Athletics also invites girls under the age of 12 to join in the celebration by participating in a Title IX writing competition. All entries in the "My Favorite Female Athlete Is …" writing competition will receive a free ticket along with the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to the Rutgers-Nebraska football game on October 7. The top 50 essays in the competition will be invited to participate in the on-field march-on during halftime. Contest rules and entry information coming soon.
Various recognitions will also occur at selected home games as 2022-23 schedules are announced.
ScarletKnights.com will also feature profiles and stories of letterwinners, coaches and administrators who helped build the foundation and continue to carry the torch of success in women's athletics at the University.
You can help Rutgers Athletics celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX support in supporting the Rutgers Women's Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund. The fund will allow for alumni, fans and friends of Rutgers Athletics to share in the commitment to help build a strong and sustainable future for the women's athletics programs at Rutgers. Click here for more information on R Fund and supporting Women's Student-Athlete Scholarships.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates.
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