CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Mid-American Conference will honor the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX with various programming throughout the 2022 calendar year. The year-long commemoration will highlight the passage of Title IX and what it has meant on a national scale, while celebrating and highlighting the success of women’s athletics within the MAC.
The campaign will kick off on February 2, 2022 with the celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Throughout the year, the Conference will honor the top 50 female student-athletes in MAC history via its social media platforms and website. In addition, the Conference will release a celebration video on June 23, 2022 -- the official anniversary date of when President Richard Nixon signed the Title IX of the Civil Rights Act in 1972.
The Conference has also created a commemorative 50th Anniversary logo that will be featured on championship t-shirts that will be provided to each student-athlete at the conclusion of each of the League’s 24 sponsored championships.
The annual MAC Honors dinner will recognize individuals from all 12 member institutions that were pioneers of Title IX in building female sport program opportunities. Each of those individuals will be named to the 2022 Hall of Fame class, which will be announced during the MAC Basketball Tournament (March 9-12).
The Conference will also introduce the Trailblazer Award, a new award that will be presented annually at the Honors Dinner. The Trailblazer Award will be given to an individual that has encouraged or supported equal opportunities and promoting the student-athlete experience through proven progressive change.
Finally, the Taking MACtion Summit will take place in October in Cleveland with programming focused on the different aspects of Title IX in college athletics and the student experience.
“It is remarkable to contemplate what Title IX has meant to girls and women’s sports,” said MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher. “As the father of a daughter, I saw first-hand the opportunities available to my daughter that my sister or mother never had. Transformative is a word that comes to mind and even that does not capture the impact of this important federal legislation. I look forward to our membership looking back at those who blazed a path in the Mid-American Conference, highlighting the remarkable women who have competed in the League, while also looking forward with anticipation of future opportunities and achievements.”
Updates on Title IX events will be posted throughout the year on the official MAC website (GetSomeMACtion.com), as well as all MAC social media platforms.
MORE ABOUT TITLE IX
Title IX, the landmark gender equity law passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972, banning sex discrimination in federally funded education programs. Its protections would open the doors for girls and women in admission, academic majors, teaching positions, vocational programs and individual classes while helping ensure equal access and treatment once admitted.
