Portland State Magazine Spring 2012

The birth of Title IX FORTY YEARS AGO, Congress passed into law the landmark Tide IX bill char required any educational program receiving federal funds to provide equal oppor– tunities to both sexes, including in spores. Teri Mariani '76-a former PSU student athlete, longtime coach, and Athletics Department administrator-has seen the before, the after, and the struggles to enforce Title IX. She retired from PSU in 2008, bur continues to support the education and advancement of women in Portland. A longtime softball coach, Teri Mariani won the most games of any PSU coach ever with more than 500 victories. 28 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE SPRING 2012 Q & A WITH TERI MARIANI '76 Q : What were things like for women athletes at PSU before Tide IX? A: We didn't have proper access to the training room. We had to have a trainer meet us in the lobby, put a paper bag over our heads, and lead us through the men's locker room. We used the same uniforms for volleyball, basketball, and softball. We didn't go to vol– leyball nationals my freshman year, because we couldn't raise enough money. Those kinds of things just should never happen. Q: Beyond sports, what changes have you seen as a result ofTide IX? A : Ir has been huge for women in all areas of educa– tion, particularly in terms of women getting into college. Women were sometimes refused by universities and only allowed in after all spots were filled by men. And forger about getting into the medical, law, or science fields. Ir was a huge problem, bur now we rake our rights for granted. Q : Tide IX changed legislation, bur are hearts harder to change? A: When you see a father whose daughter isn't getting the same opportunities his son received or what he got when he was in high school, you'll see him fighting for her. I really love it when char happens. Ir's nice when you hear men say, "Hey, chat's nor right." Q : What hasn't changed for women in spores? A : One of the worse men's clubs is the Internacional Olympic Committee. They have bylaws char say countries can't participate if they don't allow women on their reams . Bur Saudi Arabia doesn't allow women, yet, every year they get to be in the Olympics. They talk a good game, bur they're probably the worst old boys' network around. ■