Title IX hits it’s 50th anniversary this year on June 23, 2022. Starting back in 1972, a Federal civil rights law was passed that prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.
It’s been a long road for Title IX to make its way through athletic departments but a lot of progress has been made in the past 50 years.
Fayetteville Technical Community College joined the NJCAA Division II in 2016 introducing men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s golf at the same time.
In the 2018-19 school year, FTCC added volleyball, softball and baseball giving the school two men’s teams: basketball and baseball and three women’s teams: basketball, volleyball and softball. All athletes at FTCC leave the college with the same college athletic experience.
Thanks to, President, Dr. Larry Keen and Athletic Director, Dr. Shannon Yates, FTCC athletics is continuing to grow in every way possible. They give the opportunity for equality at FTCC by fully supporting student athlete’s academics and athletics experience regardless of gender. Currently, FTCC is building a brand-new softball stadium beside the baseball stadium, increasing female representation and diversity in the athletic staff/coaches, and creating a culture encouraging all athletes to be champions in the classroom, competition, and in the Cumberland County community.
Dr. Yates brings her knowledge of gender equity from NC State where she spent 20 years working in athletics. “Title IX gives the opportunity for growth and equality for all athletes. It does not take away from men’s athletics but gives equitable support to female athletes. Not only for athletes participating in sports, but opportunities for female athletic administrators and support staff. I wrote my thesis and dissertation on Title IX to learn more about the law and to better educate female athletes and athletics staff on how its passage provides them an equitable athletic experience.”
Dr. Yates would like to thank her mentors- Nora Lynn Finch, former ACC Senior Associate Commissioner/Senior Associate AD/SWA, women’s basketball legend Coach Kay Yow, and Dr. Debbie Yow, Athletic Director Emeritus all from NC State. “I was blessed to be able to learn from the pioneers and leaders of collegiate women’s athletics excellence. I would not be where I am now without their guidance and support.”
