TITLE IX ANNIVERSARY HOMEPAGE

LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell Athletics has unveiled plans to recognize the 50^th anniversary of Title IX throughout 2022. The year-long celebration is set to kick off on Saturday, January 29 when the River Hawk women's basketball team hosts Hartford at 5 p.m. at the Tsongas Center.
 
Since being passed on June 23, 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which aimed to protect people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities, has transformed college athletics. When written into law, many colleges offered few or no women's teams, and women made up just 15% of college athletes across the country. Now, 50 years later, over 200,000 women compete at the college level, making up 44% of all student-athletes.
 
"We are looking forward to celebrating this historic legislation on its milestone anniversary and throughout this entire year," said Director of Athletics Peter Casey. "Title IX paved the way for so many of our River Hawks and their athletic successes over the last 50 years. As educators, it's vitally important for us to teach our current student-athletes about where we came from, so that we can more clearly see where we are going. Continuing the conversation and celebration surrounding Title IX and its legacy is a great example of that."
 
UMass Lowell Athletics has laid out a three-pronged approach to its recognition of Title IX, the impact the law has had on athletics and the legacy that continues to this day because of it. Those pillars will be education, stories from Lowell and a golf tournament.
 
"Thousands of girls and women have benefitted and excelled as student-athletes over the last five decades because Title IX opened the door to participation opportunities, as well as to athletics scholarships," commented UMass Lowell Senior Woman Administrator Sandra Roecker. "Many generations of women have fought for equal opportunities, and while the fight is not over, I am very proud of the strong commitment UMass Lowell has to equity and support for all of our student-athletes. Our women continue to make the most of these opportunities by excelling in the classroom and in athletics at the highest level, and it is a thrill to see how far we have come. It is the history of Title IX that we must continue to share, so its lessons can continue to move us forward."
 
During 2022, the department will educate student-athletes through a series of events, highlighted by special guest speakers, in-game recognition and visits to campus by alumnae. Throughout the year, UMass Lowell will invite former student-athletes and staff to have their stories about the impact of Title IX be featured across several platforms. Additionally, the first ever UMass Lowell Women's River Hawk Golf Open will be held in June.   
 
The celebration will culminate over River Hawk Homecoming weekend, which is set for October.