“A Sporting Chance”: Commemorating Fifty Years of Title IX

Abstract

In June 2022, the nation celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. This landmark legislation, part of the Education Amendments of 1972, continues to have a huge impact, especially on colleges and universities, across efforts to counter harassment and discrimination based on sex. A persistently controversial aspect of Title IX is its application to intercollegiate athletics. Prior to Title IX, women had participated in athletics, whether through intramural sports or through dancing and cheerleading, which, despite being longstanding opportunities for women to express their athleticism and skill, were not always recognized as sports. Title IX, however, began a new era of equal opportunity for young women across higher education.