ATHENS, Georgia — The University of Georgia Athletic Association celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX during an event Friday night at the Stegeman Coliseum.
The program included a reflection on the past and a focus on the future of Title IX. Among them were former UGA volleyball star Christine Sperow, Georgia associate athletic director Darrice Griffin, associate athletic director Stephanie Ransom, President Jere W. Morehead, J. Reid Parker athletic director Josh Brooks, and co-eds Caterina Don and Cecily Stoute Guest speaker at Friday night’s celebration.
“We’ve had phenomenal women who have come through UGA Athletics and continue to create the future,” said Ransom, who was a member of Georgia’s premier women’s soccer team. “While there is still much work to be done, I am immensely proud of the sporting environment that we have built for our female students over the past 50 years and all that is to come.”
Ransom, along with Griffin, highlighted Georgia’s history as a standard-bearer when it comes to Title IX, gave special credit to the legendary Liz Murphey, and underscored the Bulldogs’ remarkable success.
A total of 32 of Georgia’s national team championships have been won by women, while 77 percent (168 of 218) of UGA national individual titles have been won by female students. Women have also accounted for 83 percent (58 out of 70) of the Olympic medals won by Bulldogs.
With a focus on the future of Title IX, Stefanie Williams Moreno, Tom Cousins Women’s Swimming and Diving head coach, Keidane McAlpine, women’s soccer head coach, Keturah Orji, former women’s track and field athlete, and Mary Wilson Avant, former softball student, attended Participate in a panel discussion.
There were also video messages from Maria Taylor, as well as Georgia Gymnastics Head Coach Courtney Kupets Carter and closing remarks from Josh Brooks.
This year marked the 50th anniversary of Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational programs and activities. Throughout the year, the University of Georgia Athletic Association has celebrated the anniversary of this groundbreaking achievement by honoring past legends who have served as frontrunners and standard-bearers in women’s excellence.
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