from staff
On the 35th anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sports Illustrated has named Florida Coastal School of Law Professor Nancy Hogshead-Makar among the most influential people in the history of the landmark law.
Title IX is the first comprehensive federal law to prohibit sex discrimination against students and employees of educational institutions.
According to SI, “The former president of the Women’s Sports Foundation is one of the nation’s foremost proponents of Title IX. The Olympic medalist has testified in Congress numerous times on the topic of gender equity in athletics, served as an expert witness in Title IX cases, written numerous articles and been a frequent guest on national news programs.”
Others recognized by SI are former tennis pro Billie Jean King, National Women’s Law Center co-founder Marcia Greenberger, NCAA President Myles Brand, Donna Lopiano, CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation, and Richard Nixon.
“I’m honored to have played a part in the history of Title IX, the law that made my full swimming scholarship to Duke University and my three Olympic Gold Medals possible,” said Hogshead-Makar, who teaches torts and sports law at FCSL. “As a professor of law teaching a seminar course on Gender Equity in Athletics, my students enjoy dialoguing about legal issues and the parties involved from an in-depth personal perspective.”
Under Title IX, men and women are expected to receive equal treatment in all arenas of public schooling, including recruitment, admissions, educational programs, financial aid, and athletics.
“But the history isn’t finished being written – there is still a lot to do,” Hogshead-Makar said. “Women athletes still lag behind men by every measurable criteria – participation opportunities, scholarship, recruiting, facilities, coaching, and equipment. At the same time, there are constant attacks on the law by those who think that weakening protections against women will help some men’s sports.”