50 Years of Title IX: A Celebration in Review

All throughout the 2022-23 academic year, the Holy Cross athletic department commemorated the 50th anniversary of the passing of Title IX with a series of virtual and in-person celebrations. Online, Holy Cross celebrated a rich history through a series of podcasts, videos and historical reflections with former and current student-athletes. In person, the Crusaders celebrated anniversary teams and trailblazers, retired women's jerseys for the first time in school history, and won a championship during a historic season. 

Below, you'll see a review of some of our celebrations throughout the year, and a look at what's still to come. 

Your support of the Crusader Athletics Fund can directly help us compete for championships, develop difference-makers, and build an even richer community surrounding women’s athletics. You can support the Crusaders' annual fundraising goals by making your gift prior to June 30 — to support women's athletics directly, select the “Women's Athletics” designation inside the Crusader Athletics designation group on the giving form.

Above, you'll find a series of podcasts, videos and historical reflections with student-athletes across all 14 women's sports at Holy Cross. Mary Fitzgerald Riley ‘83 (field hockey, basketball, softball) helped launch the Title IX 'Sader Stories podcast series, describing her experiences as a three-sport athlete.

This year, the Patriot League, in conjunction with its 10 full-member institutions, announced its Trailblazers of Distinction to recognize the accomplishments of some of their most impactful women leaders during the Title IX era.

The league worked closely with staff from each of its institutions to identify and honor individual women and memorable teams for contributions to their respective athletics departments, campuses and society at large. The Trailblazers of Distinction were selected in concurrence with the Patriot League's yearlong celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX. 

Holy Cross' honorees included Egetta Alfonso '92 (women's track & field, current Director of Cross Country and Track and Field); Sherry Levin '84 (women's basketball); Lauren Manis ‘20 (women’s basketball); Mary Fitzgerald Riley ‘83 (field hockey, basketball, softball); and Patricia Sutton Thompson ’07 (women's lacrosse). That quintet was honored at halftime of a women's basketball contest on Feb. 18, along with numerous other female student-athletes and coaches as part of the department-wide Title IX celebration. 

For the first time since 2007, the Holy Cross women's basketball team captured the Patriot League Championship, defeating top-seeded Boston University, 66-61, on March 12. With the win, the Crusaders won their league record 12th Patriot League title and advanced to the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament.

Holy Cross softball celebrated the 25th anniversary of its 1998 Patriot League Championship. 

WHAT'S NEXT? 

Beginning in September 2022 and continuing through May 2024 (the 50th anniversary of the first women graduates), The College of the Holy Cross is recognizing, reflecting on and celebrating the impact of Holy Cross women. 

A 50th Anniversary of Coeducation Celebration weekend is being planned for April 5-6, 2024.  We look forward to gathering on campus for this special event — stayed tuned for more information. 

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