Columbia-Barnard Announces Title IX 50 in 50 Celebration

NEW YORK – The Columbia-Barnard Athletic Consortium will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the institution of Title IX by honoring 50 of the consortium's most influential women over the past 50 years. The consortium officially announced its plans Tuesday morning, on the first day of Women's History Month.

This unique celebration will honor 50 women who have been influential to the growth and success of women's sports on campus - both pre-dating and through the establishment of the Consortium. These 50 honorees will be announced one-by-one leading up to the 50th anniversary date on June 23. The athletic consortium plans to reveal its first honoree on Thursday, March 3.

"In the 50 years since the passage of Title IX, generations of Barnard College and Columbia University women have played an important role in redefining athletics excellence in Morningside Heights," Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger said. "As the University community celebrates the accomplishments of these women, both in and out of competition, we also recognize the current and future generations of student-athletes who are living up to the high standards they set."

Past and present student-athletes, coaches, staff members and administrators will be included on the 50-member list. Their influence on women's athletics may have come in a variety of forms, including their athletic accomplishments on the competition field, post-graduation, or other contributions to the growth of the consortium. Representatives from all 15 varsity sports will be included on the final list.

"This celebration perfectly encapsulates the lasting impact that these extraordinary women have had within our athletics department," Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Physical Education Peter Pilling said. "The accomplishments of our women's sports programs within the Ivy League and at the national level would not have been possible without the dedication and support of not only the 50 women we will honor, but countless others who have contributed to the ongoing growth of the Columbia-Barnard Athletic Consortium. Congratulations to all of our honorees."

Established in 1983, the Columbia-Barnard Athletic Consortium allows students at neighboring Barnard College to compete together with Columbia undergraduates at the NCAA Division I level as part of the Ivy League. The consortium was designed to coincide with the admission of women to Columbia College and built upon an already established women's athletic program at Barnard College. It is the only consortium of its kind in the country.

"Barnard is honored to share in this one-of-a-kind athletics program with Columbia, which allows our scholar-athletes to experience a small liberal arts school environment while competing at the highest level in their sports," Barnard College President Sian Beilock said. "As we look ahead to 50 years of Title IX, I'm excited to honor some of the amazing individuals that have helped shape and strengthen the athletics program on both sides of Broadway."

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 is a Federal civil right law that prohibits sexual discrimination at educational institutions that receive federal funding.  The Title IX regulation states that "except for provided elsewhere in this part, no person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, or other education program or activity operated by a recipient which receives ... Federal financial assistance."

The 50 honorees of the Columbia-Barnard Title IX Celebration will be posted to the @GoColumbiaLions social media accounts as they are announced.

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