University of Oregon Athletics

The 50th anniversary of Title IX's passage into law is being celebrated by University of Oregon athletics in 2022, including a fundraising effort through the department's Women in Flight program called "Go Do Anything."

Title IX was passed on June 23, 1972, prohibiting discrimination based on sex in educational programs including collegiate athletics. Participation in sports by girls and young women in the United States has increased exponentially since, and University of Oregon athletics has prioritized being a trailblazer in creating opportunities for female student-athletes.

Just prior to the 40th anniversary of Title IX, in 2011, the university retroactively awarded 249 varsity letters to women who competed for the Ducks in the decades prior to Title IX's implementation. The commitment to expanded opportunities for female athletics has included the addition of lacrosse, acrobatics and tumbling and beach volleyball programs in recent years, and the launch of Women in Flight in 2014 has provided a vehicle for supporting Oregon's 11 women's sports programs.

The new "Go Do Anything" campaign already has generated about $4.5 million in support for those programs, toward a goal of $9 million. The yearlong campaign through the end of 2022 will work to complete progress toward that goal.

"When the groundbreaking Women in Flight program was first introduced at Oregon in 2014, our students, alumni and donors rallied around the initiative to further support our proud tradition of women's sports excellence," UO director of athletics Rob Mullens said. "The continued generosity of so many has allowed the Women in Flight program to significantly enhance the world-class experience for our female student-athletes, increasing their likelihood for success in competition and in the classroom.

"Our community has embraced all of our women's sports programs, which have brought pride, energy and championships to our university. The upcoming 50th anniversary of Title IX is a reminder that our work is not yet done, and that the Women in Flight program is essential to maintaining our success and equality for our female student-athletes."

Women in Flight's mission is to "raise awareness and financial support to achieve and maintain excellence across all Oregon women's programs." It provides support not only for athletics scholarships but also team building activities, including foreign tours, and career development opportunities. Women in Flight also supports facility enhancements, such as replacement of the turf on Papé Field for the soccer and lacrosse programs.

"Nationally, Oregon Athletics has set the standard for support of women's athletics with its Women in Flight program," said Alexis Cross, associate director of development for UO athletics. "Since the inception of Women in Flight we have shared resources, hosted webinars and counseled institutions across the country on the implementation of successful women's initiative programs. It's a privilege to be a in a leadership position and to continue to influence this kind of support within collegiate athletic departments."

Support for the "Go Do Anything" campaign has come from "Trail Blazers" such as former UO women's athletics director Becky Sisley, from "Reformers" including legendary women's basketball star Sabrina Ionescu, and from "Believers" like Dave and Nancy Petrone, who made the initial donation that helped launch Women in Flight.

"Competing as a collegiate student-athlete provides opportunities for championship experiences in sport that creates champions in all walks of life, from family to business to community service," said UO deputy athletic director Lisa Peterson, the department's senior women's administrator and Title IX coordinator.

"The enactment of Title IX into law 50 years ago opened the door for young women to reach their full potential, not only as student-athletes but also as future leaders in Fortune 500 boardrooms, halls of government, and many other fields of endeavor as well as in professional competition. With the help of Women in Flight supporters, student-athletes at Oregon can take full advantage of those opportunities, turning hopes for a more equitable future into reality.

"Title IX created a path to a brighter future, and your support will light the way to for even greater success in the future."

For more information and to make a donation to the "Go Do Anything" campaign, follow this link.