Play Like a Girl--Title IX 40th Anniversary Celebration at St. Ben's

By Afton Goebel, MIAC

 “You play ball like a girl,” is not only a famous quote from the movie, "The Sandlot," but it is also something I have heard a time or two throughout my childhood. The usual intent of the quote is meant to be an insult, but from where I stand - and on behalf of all women athletes - we will take it as a compliment. Yes, we do play ball like girls – but at least we can play ball, which wasn't always the case.

Monday, the College of Saint Benedict celebrated the 40th anniversary of Title IX with guest speakers and a full room eager to learn the history of how women have gained equality in athletics.  I was in the presence of Title IX pioneers, or as speaker Peg Brenden said, "Title IX Rock Stars." To hear the obstacles both Brenden and fellow pioneer Val Rogosheske overcame to participate in the sports they love made a huge impact on myself and the younger generation in attendance, who have benefitted from these women's efforts.

In high school I played on two of the six different women’s sports teams offered, but Brenden’s high school did not have any women’s sports. While I participated in try-outs to earn my spot on the team, Brenden participated in a lawsuit. In 1971 she was involved in a case that sought permission for her to join her high school’s men’s tennis team. The lawsuit was one of the first Title IX cases in the country and, ultimately, awarded Brenden the right to play. Thanks to the groundbreaking legal action, she was also one of first women to participate in high school sports in the state of Minnesota.

As she looked back on the lawsuit and her resulting tennis matches, Brenden noted that of her best memories was the reaction when she was invited back to speak at her high school many years later. As she stood in front of the student body, an administrator asked all the female student-athletes to stand. Brenden recalled only a handful of girls still seated. As they all sat back down, the administrator said if that same question was asked to Brenden’s class, she would have been the only one standing. The students' reaction was applause, and a standing ovation in appreciation her accomplishment. Not only did her actions of fighting for what she loved to do affect her own participation, but it also had an impact on all the females in that gym, as well as gyms in every other school across the country. 

Up next was Rogosheske, who is a part of the Boston Marathon group known as “The Class of ‘72.” She was one of eight women who ran in the Boston Marathon the first year it was officially allowed. I say, “officially,” because prior to 1972, a handful of women would participate in the marathon by hiding in the bushes at the starting line or - in one particular case - registering for the race using just one's initials so race officials would not know registrant was a woman.

Rogosheske’s interest in running was sparked when someone asked her how fast she could run a mile. Not aware of the answer, she went out to a track and realized she wasn't trained to even finish the mile she had set out to complete. A suggestion from her husband encouraged her to set a goal and choose a race to participate in, so she had something to work towards. At the time, the only race Rogosheske knew of was the Boston Marathon, so she thought that would be a good place to start, and a very ambitious start at that.

She heard of the few strategies women prior to her used to sneak their way into the marathon and went in with the mindset that if she had to hide in a bush, she would. Monday night, she told the crowd she was prepared to be: “hiding in the bushes for the good of all women.” Two weeks prior to the race date, the AAU changed its ruling and opened up registration to women, so there was no need to hide in a bush or disguise her name. The efforts women made to participate in the Boston Marathon prior to 1972 had an obvious effect on the future of the race as well as all sports for women.
 

Title IX was passed almost a year after Brenden’s lawsuit and just a few months after Rogosheske ran the Boston Marathon. The strength and courage those women displayed, as well as the strength and courage of many other women around the world are a big reason why I'm in my current position at the MIAC. Not only did they open more doors for women, but my position is funded by an NCAA Women's and Ethnic Minority grant. For those who may not know, Title IX was not written with the intent to affect change in the athletic world - but clearly, it did.

Monday's final speaker was Team USA's Amanda Smock, who recently represented our country in the triple jump in the 2012 London Olympic games. Smock shared what it took for her to qualify for the Olympic team and compete in London, including the countless hours of training, lessons learned on and off the field and, most importantly, the influence the previous two speakers as well as other "Title IX Rock Stars" had on her ability to even participate in sports. Smock thanked Brenden and Rogosheske for sharing their stories and paving the way for the rest of us women.

Hearing first-hand the stories of how life used to be before Title IX and what life has the potential to be after its passing made me reflect on all the choices and opportunities I had growing up. There has never been a doubt in my mind, or in the mind of people closest to me, that one day I would work in sports. I have received tremendous support from family and friends to chase after all my dreams, no matter how crazy they may be. Just 40 years ago there was a significant lack of support for women of all ages to participate in things that were seen as unconventional at the time, and now athletic opportunities are commonplace, proving the legislation has been a success. 
 

Thanks to the efforts of many strong women, education, athletics, and the working environment have us placed at an even playing field with men. Thanks to Title IX, I am proud to say that I am have a degree in Sports Management and am currently in full pursuit of my dream to work in sports in my position at the MIAC, where I work with two men who were just as amazed as I was to hear the stories we did Monday night.

Monday's celebration at Saint Benedict did a great job honoring the women who paved the way for groundbreaking changes in the women's athletic landscape, while informing a younger generation, like myself, about the important work done to ensure we have equitable opportunities. As the 40th anniversary of Title IX continues throughout the year, I will surely take time to thank those who have made all the things I have dreamed a possibility. I only hope one day I can claim my fame as a rock star for women following in the my footsteps as well. Yes, I do play ball like a girl, and am very proud of it!