RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University athletics has announced plans for its celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Title IX legislation passed into law in 1972. 
 
EKU Athletics will honor its past and current women's programs with monthly recognitions that will highlight each team's history, from its inception to its present state. Additionally, EKU will honor notable firsts for each program, including coaches, student-athletes, and administrators, while recognizing each program's growth over the past 50 years.

"As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the passing of Title IX into law, we are excited to shine a light on many outstanding women, as well as teams, whose contributions and success have made EKU Athletics what it is today," Vice President and Director of Athletics Matt Roan said. "Within multiple associations and now conferences, our female student-athletes, coaches, staff, and administrators have fiercely competed, led, advocated, and excelled for fifty years and brought great notoriety to themselves, their teams, and the institution. We are beyond grateful for and proud of their contributions and the pathway they have created for future Colonels."

"Title IX advanced the world of college athletics tremendously by granting access to education for female student-athletes everywhere," said EKU President David McFaddin. "We are honored to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of the incredible women who have made our campus and athletics department better."

President Richard Nixon signed the Title IX of the Equal Opportunity in Education Act into law on June 23, 1972. The law 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."
 
Since its passage, Title IX has dramatically increased athletic opportunities for women and girls. The Title IX regulation contains specific provisions governing athletic programs and educational institutions. The primary benefit of Title IX is that it requires schools to provide equal access to men and women for opportunities that are being offered if they receive federal funding.
 
Eastern Kentucky has sponsored 13 women's varsity sports since the passage of Title IX. EKU's women's programs have captured 92 shared or outright conference championships.