Peoria Standard

In partnership with the Missouri Valley Conference, Bradley University will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking legislation known as Title IX, by spotlighting trailblazing women in Bradley Athletics history throughout the 2022-23 school year.

"It is with great enthusiasm that Bradley Athletics will celebrate and honor the impact of this landmark legislation ," said Dr. Chris Reynolds, Bradley Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics.  "Young women today, including my own daughter, have opportunities because of those who paved the way.

"While there is still more work to be done as it relates to providing equal opportunities, we look forward to recounting the stories and reliving the memories created by women who have trailblazed a path at Bradley for generations to follow."

Signed into law June 23, 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states, "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."

In recognition of the anniversary signing date, women significant to the history of Bradley University Athletics representing each of our women's teams and department support areas will be spotlighted on the 23rd of each month, beginning in July and continuing through May.  Bradley also will share online and social media content produced by the Missouri Valley Conference to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX.

The growth of athletics opportunities for girls and women has been significantly impacted by the legislation, particularly at Bradley University.  At the time of the landmark legislation, athletics participation for women at Bradley was limited to intramural and club sports.  Volleyball became the first sport sponsored by Bradley's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, playing its first match Sept. 21, 1974 against Illinois State.  During the 2021-22 school year, 92 women competed among eight of Bradley's 15 NCAA Division I teams:  basketball, cross country, golf, softball, tennis, indoor track, outdoor track and volleyball.

The 1998 Women's Cross Country Team shared the Missouri Valley Conference title with Drake to earn the first league championship by a women's team in Bradley Athletics history, while the Women's Golf squad's second Valley title in 2002 earned Bradley its first NCAA Tournament bid among its women's sports programs.  To date, 43 women have been inducted into the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame with former Women's Golf student-athlete Bari Erais awaiting her induction as part of the Class of 2022.

_{Source: https://bradleybraves.com/news/2022/6/23/general-celebrating-title-ix-50th-anniversary-throughout-2022-23.aspx}