The Springfield Public Forum has partnered with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to assemble an All-Star, Hall of Fame panel to discuss and celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of Federal Title IX legislation that began to level the playing field for women’s sports funding and participation. The event will take place at Symphony Hall on Tuesday June 21^st at 7PM and attendance is free thanks to Presenting Sponsor MassMutual.

Signed into law by then President Richard Nixon in 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments (Title IX) prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX states “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.” 

This legislation is seen as the primary catalyst for equal funding and the creation of opportunities for participation by girls and women in organized athletics in publically funded primary, secondary and collegiate schools and institutions. Title IX is also largely credited with providing the foundation for professional women’s sports entities like the WNBA and high level amateur competition such as NCAA Women’s March Madness and investment in global Olympic level athletics for US women’s participants.

There will be two panels at the Forum. The first will discuss state of the women’s game prior to the passing of Title IX, the advocacy and advent of Title IX legislation at the time, and the process of its implementation, featuring: 

• Jody Conradt. 1998 Hall of Fame Inductee, former Women’s Coach at the University of Texas with over 900 collegiate wins, a 1986 NCAA Championship and 21 NCAA Tournament Appearances
• Donna Lopiano. Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Sports Foundation from 1992-2007 and in that role ensured collegiate compliance with Title IX legislation
• Sylvia Hatchell. 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee Sylvia Hatchell, former Women’s Coach at the University of North Carolina earning a NCAA National Championship in 1994 and an Olympic Gold Medal in 1988
• Nancy Lieberman. 1996 Hall of Fame Inductee Nancy Lieberman, 2X Collegiate National Championship player, 3X College All American, distinguished pro career spanning 28 years, and the first woman to play on a Men’s Professional Basketball Team. One of basketball’s most decorated athletes of all time.

The second panel will discuss the effect of Title IX on women’s athletics today and the work to ensure equity and equality into the future, featuring: 

• Cheryl Miller. 1995 Hall of Fame Inductee, 2X National Collegiate Champion, 4X Collegiate All American, 3X College Player of the Year and1984 Olympic Gold Medal Winner
• Carol Stiff. One of ESPN’s most senior women executives
• Tara VanDerveer. 2011 Hall of Fame Inductee, current Women’s Coach at Stanford University with 3 NCAA National Championships, 5X NCAA Coach of the Year honors, and currently owns the most wins of any coach in Women’s Collegiate Basketball History
• Morgan Tuck. UConn standout player, 4 time NCAA National Champion, USA Basketball Gold Medalist and former WNBA Player for the Connecticut Sun and Seattle Storm

The event is free and open to the public with no tickets required.

Many thanks to our Premier Media Sponsor MassLive and our Media Sponsors The Republican and New England Public Media.

Cost: Free