FOREST, Va. --- The ODAC is proud to announce and release its first edition of a new feature series entitled "Talking Title IX" in commemoration of the 50 year anniversary of the passage by Congress of Title IX in 1972.

The ODAC will publish at least one feature each month during the 2022-23 academic year with scheduling at or around the 22nd of each month. Features may be conveyed in several forms including written articles and testimonials, photo series, and video conversations, much like the content in this first release. Future editions will include the perspectives from former and current coaches and adminstrators, recent graduates and current student-athletes at member institutions, and other individual associated with the conference. Each member school will be represented during the campaign.

"As the country celebrates 50 years of Title IX, the ODAC is taking the opportunity to highlight stories of the law's impact," explained ODAC Commissioner Brad Bankston. "I want to thank all the participants in advance for sharing their time and experiences. We will discover that Title IX has been transformational for many. Change takes time, but the considerable amount of work that has already been done and continues today ensures that we will continue to see success stories as further obstacles towards equality are overcome. Join me on this year-long journey as we recognize the amazing impact Title IX had on so many aspects of society - specifically women's athletics."

In this first edition, former Hollins University and Emory & Henry College Director of Athletics, Myra Sims, leads our series-opening conversation with former women's basketball coaches Carroll LaHaye from Randolph-Macon, Jean Willi from Bridgewater, and Susan Dunagan from Roanoke. They discuss their experiences in the early days of Title IX, some of the obstacles they overcame, and offer some words of advice for up-and-coming professionals in collegiate athletics.

Stay tuned to the ODAC website and its feeds on social media platforms for future editions of Talking Title IX. Be sure to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.

IMPORTANT NOTES AND IMPACTS OF TITLE IX

• Title IX was passed by Congress and written into law by President Richard M. Nixon in 1972.
• Title IX states that "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 has had many impacts, but five of the major benefits include:
  • equality in enrollment for educational courses
  • women pursue and earn more degrees
  • women become collegiate professors
  • more girls and women not only play more sports, but more coach and become athletic administrators
  • protection for pregnant women from blatant discrimination (removed from school, offered lesser courses)
  • women increased participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)