Nov. 6, 2012

UCLA Athletics will honor the University's Top 40 female athletes of the Title IX era, also known as the UCLA Title IX 40, in a campus-wide celebration of the 40th anniversary of Title IX on Saturday, November 10.

The list of athletes, chosen by a panel of experts, is broken down by decade (10 per), ranging from the 1970's to the 2000's. In addition, a female coach and female administrator of the decade were chosen.

The list follows below:

UCLA's TITLE IX 40 AWARD WINNERS (1970's-2000's)

1970's
Evelyn Ashford, Track & Field
Carol Bower, Rowing
Janet Coles, Golf
Terry Condon, Volleyball
Denise Corlett, Basketball-Volleyball-Badminton
Sue Enquist, Softball
Ann Meyers, Basketball
Karen Moe-Thornton, Swimming
Anita Ortega, Basketball
Jan Palchikoff, Rowing
Coach of the Decade: Billie Moore, Baskeball
Administrator of the Decade: Chancellor Charles E. Young

1980's
Kay Cockerill, Golf
Denise Curry, Basketball
Gail Devers, Track & Field
Florence Griffith-Joyner, Track & Field
Kim Hamilton, Gymnastics
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Track & Field -Basketball
Liz Masakayan, Volleyball
Dot Richardson, Softball
Stella Sampras, Tennis
Sharon Shapiro, Gymnastics
Coach of the Decade: Sharron Backus, Softball
Administrator of the Decade: Dr. Judith Holland

1990's
Amy Acuff, Track & Field
Lisa Fernandez, Softball
Leah Homma, Gymnastics
Maylana Martin, Basketball
Nicolle Payne, Water Polo
Keri Phebus, Tennis
Kristee Porter, Volleyball-Basketball-Track & Field
Annette Salmeen, Swimming
Seilala Sua, Track & Field
Natalie Williams, Volleyball-Basketball
Coach of the Decade: Andy Banachowski, Volleyball
Administrator of the Decade: Betsy Stephenson

2000's
Mohini Bhardwaj, Gymnastics
Lauren Cheney, Soccer
Jamie Dantzscher, Gymnastics
Emily Feher, Water Polo
Monique Henderson, Track & Field
Tiffany Joh, Golf
Stacey Nuveman, Softball
Noelle Quinn, Basketball
Kelly Rulon, Water Polo
Natasha Watley, Softball
Coach of the Decade: Valorie Kondos Field, Gymnastics
Administrator of the Decade: Petrina Long

"Each and every member of UCLA's Title IX 40 has played a significant role in the rich history of women's athletics at our university," said UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero. "Whether she was a trailblazer in the early days of her sport, or someone who carried the torch in recent years, we are proud of these great Bruins and are honored to recognize their contributions on this special anniversary."

Many of them will be in attendance for at least part of the day, which gets underway at the 2 pm women's swimming meet against Arizona at Spieker Aquatics Center. The UCLA women's soccer team's first round NCAA Tournament game against Wisconsin follows at Drake Stadium that day at 5:30 pm, in conjunction with the celebration.

The festivities culminate with the women's basketball season opener against San Diego State in New Pauley Pavilion at 7 pm. UCLA's Title IX 40 will be honored at halftime, and Bruin alumnae student-athletes will be recognized throughout the game.

When it became law on June 23, 1972, Title IX changed the landscape of collegiate athletics. Its impact over the last 40 years has been profound from coast-to-coast, but perhaps it has been most noticeable at UCLA.

The university community quickly saw the value in successful women's athletics, began competing in the AIAW during the 1973-74 school year under the direction of Women's Athletic Director Dr. Judith Holland, and quickly established its teams among the nation's elite - first in the AIAW and later the NCAA.

By the time Ann Meyers accepted the first women's athletic scholarship at UCLA in 1974-75, the UCLA women's athletic program was already off and running ... and the machine has yet to stop, capturing more than 40 team national championships (AIAW and NCAA combined) in 40 years, including the most recent, an NCAA Women's Volleyball crown in late 2011.

Some of UCLA's women's teams in sports such as volleyball, softball, track & field, water polo and gymnastics are considered among the best of all time. Many of the individuals who have worn a Bruin jersey are synonymous with excellence in women's athletics.

This day is dedicated to all of them.

Schedule of Events:
Saturday, November 10, 2012
2 pm - UCLA Swimming and Diving vs. Arizona, Spieker Aquatics Center

5:30 pm - UCLA Women's Soccer vs. Wisconsin, NCAA First Round Game, Drake Stadium (Tickets: $10 adults/$8 students and youth)

7 pm - UCLA Women's Basketball vs. San Diego State (2012-13 Season Opener), New Pauley Pavilion