Title IX Legislation Signed on June 23, 1972 by President Nixon

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 & Furman:  50 Years of Challenge, Change, and Progress

On June 23, 1972, the landscape of collegiate athletics in the United States experienced perhaps its most profound change when President Richard M. Nixon signed into law Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.  For Furman University, the sweeping federal legislation reverberated from one end of campus to the other, not in tectonic fashion but incrementally over many years.  It still impacts the country a half century later and is consistently in the news and part of the national dialogue.  Click HERE to continue reading how Title IX changed Furman athletics. 

Letter from Furman Director of Athletics, Jason Donnelly

Dear Furman Family,
On June 23, 1972, the landscape of intercollegiate athletics in the United States changed forever when President Richard M. Nixon signed into law Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which stated:

"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."

Fifty years in, it is clear that Title IX has changed lives by ushering in an era of expanded educational opportunities for women that previously were very limited or didn't exist. Furman University's women's sports programs rise has been similar to that of many other schools.  While women's gymnastics, field hockey, and women's basketball were played at the University by the late 1960s, it wasn't until the early 1970s that the Furman's women's sports landscape expanded with the addition of golf and tennis, and later, swimming.

By most measures, Furman's commitment to Title IX produced its biggest yield over the last 36 years. Since 1986, Paladin women's athletics teams have combined to win 115 SoCon Championships, register 61 of its 69 women's NCAA Tournament appearances, produce 41 of the school's 43 female All-Americans, including 2020 National Player of the Year, golfer Natalie Srinivasan, and claim a league high 17 Germann Cups, including five straight from 2015-19. In addition, over the last six years, Furman, thanks in large part to the success of its women's sports programs, has topped the SoCon and ranked among the nation's elite in Learfield IMG College Sports Directors' Cup competition, which awards points based on each institution's NCAA Tournament competition finish in up to 20 sports in Division I — 10 women's and 10 men's.

As we reflect on our most recent 2021-22 season, our women's teams proved their prowess yet again, finishing second in the Germann Cup following SoCon championships in cross country, tennis (regular season & tournament), and golf, while also notching a second-place regular season finish in soccer.  Additional noteworthy accomplishments for the year include conference tournament championship game appearances by women's basketball and women's soccer, as well as semifinal appearances by women's lacrosse, softball, and volleyball. Our student-athletes enjoyed a great deal of conference notoriety with Nieva Gathier (women's soccer), Tierra Hodges (basketball), Anna Morgan (golf) and Julia Adams (tennis) all receiving SoCon Player of the Year honors, as well as Bethany Graham securing SoCon Runner of the Year accolades for cross country.  We are especially proud of the individuals who achieved All-American honors: Bethany Graham (cross country), Megan Marvin (track & field) and Anna Morgan (golf). 

In addition to their success in competition, we are most proud of the quality and character of our female student-athletes.  The relationships they have built and maintained with Furman University and their teammates, as student-athletes and alumni, underscores the greater impact and opportunities that Title IX has provided for generations of female leaders, innovators, and role models in this world.

In the year ahead, we invite you to join us in our celebration of Title IX as we look forward to sharing special content and hosting events to honor the pioneers and beneficiaries of this life-changing legislation.

Furman remains committed to investing in women's athletics and to the ongoing success of our female student-athletes on and off the field. As part of this ongoing commitment, Furman looks forward to co-hosting the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Regional in downtown Greenville, as well as the SoCon championship for volleyball.  During this time, Furman will continue to support our programs by prioritizing funding for women's athletics at Furman, and focusing on philanthropy for endowment, capital, and operating needs. To discuss making a philanthropic impact on any of our women's teams, please contact Erin Wissing, Sr. Associate Athletics Director/Executive Director of Athletics Development (erin.wissing@furman.edu) or simply make a gift here.

We are grateful for the many ways in which you continue to support Furman Athletics. We are humbled to be stewards of Title IX at Furman, we are indebted to those who paved the way for women in sports over the past 50 years, and we look forward to the many victories that still lie ahead.
Please join me in gratitude as we celebrate.
 
Jason Donnelly
Director of Athletics

 

For more information: 

NCAA – Gender Equity / Title IX Important Facts

NCAA – Title IX Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Civil Rights – Requirements Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Women's Sports Foundation – What is Title IX?