A group of alumnae athletes, many of whom were students at The College of Wooster when Title IX was signed into law, are hosting a slate of programming to celebrate 50 years of the impact of Title IX during the College's Alumni Weekend, which takes place June 8-11 on campus. All Alumni Weekend attendees are invited to the sessions and registration for Alumni Weekend is required to attend.
The programing starts with W Association Hall of Famer and emerita College of Wooster Associate Professor of Physical Education Brenda Meese's '75 lecture titled "Maria Sexton: A Bridge to Competitive Athletics in Higher Education," which takes place from 1:30-2:45 p.m. on Friday, June 9. Sexton chaired the Department of Women's Physical Education and helped lay the groundwork for varsity women's teams at the College. Under her supervision, Wooster moved from sport days and playdays to club teams supported by the Women's Athletic Association to varsity teams, starting with basketball and field hockey in 1965 and volleyball in 1966.
A panel of Wooster alumnae athletes will speak on "The Impact of Title IX on Women's Athletics through the Decades" from 3-4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 9. A focus of this session will be to honor the women who competed before varsity teams were formed, and the women who played on the first varsity teams for basketball, field hockey, and volleyball.
An informal reception takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 9, where alumnae athletes, family, and friends of the College can gather and share stories, and honor the women who played on the first varsity teams for lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, and tennis.
Alumnae athletes are encouraged to gather together for breakfast in Lowry Center between the hours of 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, and then gather at the amphitheater between Lowry Center and the Scot Center at 2:30 p.m. to remember pioneer coaches, Ginny Hunt, Nan Nichols, and Sexton and honor the women who played on the first varsity teams for golf, softball, cross country, and track and field.
Hunt, who recently passed away, played a major role in the establishment of field hockey, basketball, and volleyball as varsity sports, and her instrumental efforts led to more interest and support for women's athletics at the College. She coached the first varsity field hockey and volleyball teams at the College, served as the first director of athletics for women at Wooster, was the acting chair of the Department of Physical Education from 1973-74, and was believed to be the first women to head both a men's and women's department at that time.
Nichols was the first basketball coach, leading the team to a 186-131 record, two NCAA appearances, and two conference titles in 22 seasons. She became women's athletic director in 1972 and started the women's swimming and diving team, which posted a 70-8 record in her seven seasons at the helm. Nichols helped women's sports move away from Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women to governance by the NCAA, helped form the Centennial Athletic Conference, believed to be the first collegiate athletic conference for women, and was involved in the formation of the North Coast Athletic Conference, the first college conference formed with men and women together.
In addition to achievements listed earlier, Sexton coached the first tennis team at the College, and helped form the AIAW, as well as served on numerous national leadership committees.
The programming concludes with a Coccia House pizza party for alumnae athletes at 6:30 p.m. on June 10 in the tent behind Bornhuetter Hall.
Complete registration details, registration packages, and a full schedule of events for Alumni Weekend can be found on the Alumni Weekend webpage. The deadline to register is May 26.
Locations of programming hosted by the alumnae athletes will be announced closer to Alumni Weekend on the Alumni Weekend webpage.