LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bellarmine Athletics celebrates the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Title IX legislation today.
 
Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 became law 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 participating in sports at schools and universities. Prior to the passage of Title IX, women and girls were limited to intramural, sports clubs and park districts when participating in sports. In 1971, only one percent of collegiate athletic budgets went to women's sports programs. Since Title IX's passage, female participation in sports at the collegiate level has increased by 614 percent.

Bellarmine's first women's athletic program, basketball, was started in the 1971-72 season. Since then, Bellarmine's women's sports have grown to 11 NCAA sports: basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball
 
Bellarmine Athletics will recognize the Title IX anniversary over the next nine days by presenting nine shining examples of excellence in women's athletics on our campus.