by Alan Babbitt

Thursday, June 23, marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX, a federal civil rights law enacted in 1972 that prohibited sex-based discrimination in any educational institution that receives federal funding. Title IX also gave girls and women the equal opportunity to compete in sports across the country.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX's passing, Hope College Athletics has been sharing the memories and perspectives from Hope College student-athletes, coaches, and alumnae:

• Our Title IX Celebration blog series has spotlighted current or former student-athletes who have competed in one of Hope's 11 current varsity sports.
• Hope Athletics has been posting daily updates on our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts highlighting some of many accomplishments of our female student-athletes since Title IX became law.
• On Thursday, June 23, we will hear from 2022 "Hope for Humanity" award recipient and former cross country/track runner Elly Douglass '04 Jordan on the Hope Athletics Orange and Blue Podcast. You can download the podcast through your favorite podcast provider.
• Tom Renner's latest book, "In Pursuit of Excellence: A History of Intercollegiate Athletics at Hope College 1970-2020", features chapters titled "Pioneer Players: A HERStory of Hope Women's Athletes" by Professor Emeriti Donald Luidens" and "The Evolution of Intercollegiate Sport for Women" by Eva Dean Folkert. Order your two-volume set through the Hope College Bookstore online or in person at 141 East 12th Street.

Pictured, from left, Sandy Parker and Sheri McCormack

Since Title IX was enacted in 1972 ...

Hope women's teams have claimed four NCAA Division III national championships: women's basketball in 1990, 2006, and 2022, and volleyball in 2014.

Forty-three different women have led Hope teams as head coaches, including national champions Sue Wise in women's basketball and Becky Schmidt '99 in volleyball.

Hope female student-athletes have earned NCAA Division III national titles in 20 individual and relay events. Swimmer Shelly Russell '89 won six different events at nationals, including a three-peat in the 500-yard freestyle.

Hope female student-athletes have been awarded 19 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships, including a record four this year. The group of honorees includes student-athletes from basketball, cross country, swim/dive, softball, track and field, and volleyball teams.

Hope women's teams have been crowned MIAA champion 123 times, including a program-best seven during the 2021-22 academic year.

On 115 different occasions, Hope female athletes have been voted as the MIAA's Most Valuable in their sport. Seven share the school record by accomplishing the feat three times apiece, including golfers Ellen Colenbrander '99 and Lisa Stover '94.

An elite group of 56 Hope female student-athletes earned All-MIAA First Team honors in four or more consecutive seasons during their careers, including softball's Laurie Byington '96.

An accomplished group of four student-athletes share the Hope women's record with seven All-MIAA recognitions apiece: Holly Vandenberg '90 in three sports, Jilanne Bannink '91 in two sports, national champion Erin Herrmann '17 in three sports, and Chelsea Miskelley '19 in three sports.

Hope women's teams have claimed the MIAA Team GPA Award 192 times since the program started with the 1998-99 academic year.