Women Sports USA Blog Title IX: George's Journey Post-Title IX Era

Like many other women in the mid-1970s, I began my career eager, hopeful, and ready to build a future in sports education at a time when the landscape was only just starting to shift. Title IX had passed, and while the doors were open, the halls were still lined with doubt and resistance.

Two interviews in my hometown of Warwick, one at a junior high school and one at a senior high school, set me on this path. I was hired at the high school, likely for my playing career and coaching aspirations. I began the Tuesday after Labor Day, straight out of URI, with fresh knowledge, unshaken ideals, and the belief that I could make a difference.

I stepped into the building and was immediately met with strength: Patti Down, a trailblazer and veteran woman educator who had led the way in PE and athletics—a true trailblazer. She was from Indiana, the home of Bobby Knight, who wasn’t just a teacher, but also a state championship basketball coach and official. I knew I was in the right place to start something great.

But then came Lesson One: Title IX may have been implemented, but “The Old Boys’ Network” still ran the show.

The first crack in the idealistic armor came quickly. My first student assignment was a homeroom—not in a classroom—but in the cafeteria. Four home rooms, 128 students, and one PA system that couldn’t compete with the noise. That was our welcome. That was our “equal” start.

Then came class. My sixth-period class had 68 students spread across six tennis courts, from end to end. We were treated less like educators and more like babysitters for overflow. Let’s do the math: 9 teachers, over 60 students each, 540 bodies, 53-minute class periods, and a gym built in the 50s. And we wonder why it became a form of recreation instead of physical education.

Oh—and this was the first year of co-ed PE. Sounds like equality, right? Not quite. The boys played, the girls watched—or got run over. It wasn’t learning, it wasn’t safe, and it wasn’t fair. I wanted to teach, not just supervise. But I was told: "You’re just an Indian, not the Chief.” Translation? Stay quiet. Go along to get along.

But I couldn’t always stay quiet. One moment stands out: co-ed field hockey. One space, one teacher, no protective gear, and boys swinging hard wooden sticks. That wasn’t just an educational challenge—it was a liability. I raised my voice. I said no. Title IX promised equality, not being identical. Separate but equal was legal. And safe. And smart.

This was the reality in the mid-70s. The rules had changed, but not everyone was ready. My dreams of balanced class sizes and genuine education felt distant. Still, I didn’t stop believing. I had spent my entire life fighting to play, be seen, and be taken seriously—and I wasn’t about to let go of that now.

This is the fight many women faced after Title IX. The legislation opened doors, but walking through them required grit, resilience, and the belief that sports could be for everyone.

And that? That’s only the beginning. We haven’t even gotten to athletics yet.

Stay tuned.

Join Our Community!