Celebrating 50 Years of Title IX & the Razorbacks
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – With the sustained success the University of Arkansas enjoys today within its women’s sports programs, it may be difficult for some to imagine that not long ago, female student-athletes didn’t have the opportunity to compete for championships as part of the Razorback program.
“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.” A simple sentence that, when passed as part of Title IX legislation 50 years ago, accelerated the growth of women’s athletics at the University of Arkansas.
And, now as Razorback Athletics celebrates the greatest collective program success in its history, it also pauses to celebrate the courageous women who led the way and the many other advocates for women’s athletics who helped pave the path for those opportunities.
“As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX, we are excited to spotlight many outstanding women who helped weave the fabric of the Razorback Athletics program,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek said. “From the AIAW to the NCAA, female student-athletes at the University of Arkansas have competed on the courts and fields for a half a century. There have been many iconic moments and significant accomplishments, including national and conference championships, athletes of the year and professional draft picks. We are grateful for all those who have contributed to that success while also opening doors for future generations of Razorbacks.”
Razorback Athletics is proud to launch a celebration of women’s athletics as we remember our past and look forward to the future. The celebration will include:
• Official launch including a Title IX microsite
• Video stories from the women and men who help shape the Razorback program
• Sport specific alumni events, welcoming back those who helped lay the foundation for our success
• A celebration of Difference Makers
• Combined recognitions with the Southeastern Conference and NCAA
• Panel discussions in athletics and on campus
• A look ahead to the next 50 years of women’s athletics
As fans walk through the venues and attend events today, it is easy to forget the journey that brought us here. We see our women’s basketball team play in the same arena and enjoy the same practice facility as our men’s team. We attend combined track and field and cross country events and see our nationally-ranked softball and gymnastics teams compete at the highest level in the best environments.
But it wasn’t always this way.
Before the passage of Title IX in 1972, women’s sports at the university were primarily “play days” or extra-murals. It took a handful of pioneers to embrace the challenge of creating a Department of Women’s Athletics from the ground up. Ruth Cohoon, a physical education coach who started with a $5,000 budget, stepped into a leadership role in 1972, laying the foundation for the success we see today.
