June 23, 1972
Title IX States: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance”.
The world changed for millions of girls nearly 50 years ago when Title IX passed into law on June 23, 1972. Those 37 words in this landmark legislation altered the course of women’s athletics forever. In 1972, fewer than 30,000 women participated in college sports. That number has exceeded 215,000 and continues to grow. Millions of girls and women have been able to showcase their talents and reap the benefits of participation in sports. The law led to more women attending college and earning degrees than ever before and because of that achieving greater professional accomplishment. It also meant greater competition and success in the global arena for women's sports.
Title IX’s 50th anniversary is a milestone that provides us an opportunity to celebrate the positive changes the law has brought about and to recognize that more works still needs to be done.
At George Mason, women’s tennis began in 1972 as the inaugural women’s sport. Ten years later the Patriots had seven women’s teams. By the turn of the century, Mason offered the 22 varsity sports for women available today. Men’s teams benefitted as well. Men’s sports at Mason increased from six in 1972 to 22 sports today.
Timeline of George Mason Women's Sports
1972-73: Women’s tennis became the first women’s sport at George Mason.
1973-74: Women’s basketball and volleyball were added as varsity sports.
1975-76: The men’s and women’s track & field teams were established.
1976-77: Women’s cross country began at Mason
1977-78: Women’s softball was established as a varsity sport.
1982-83: When women’s soccer came on board in 1982-83, George Mason offered 10 men’s and eight women’s sports.
1993-94: Women’s lacrosse is added as a varsity sport
1997-98: Women’s rowing added as a sport at Mason
1999-2000: Mason reached its current level of 22 sports with the addition of women’s rowing and men’s and women’s swimming and diving.
1985: George Mason was an original member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), along with members James Madison, UNCW and William and Mary, when the conference was formed out of the ECAC South in 1985.
1985 ncaa national champions women's soccer
November 24, 1985: Women’s soccer claims Mason’s first National Championship. In front of a record-crowd of 4,500 people and millions on national television of an ESPN broadcast, Mason defeated North Carolina, 2-0.
Hank Leung was Mason’s inaugural women’s soccer coach that guided the program for 10 seasons, compiling a 126-58-19 overall record and leading the Patriots to seven NCAA Tournament appearances.
Track & Field has a Storied Tradition of Excellence
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: The Mason women's volleyball program won eight Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championships, including five straight titles from 1992-1996.
1997: Keri Chaconas, a 1996 graduate of George Mason, leaves as the all-time leading scorer with 1,747 points. Chaconas played for the WNBA Washington Mystics, the inaugural season in the professional basketball league.
2001: Women’s basketball earns their first-ever postseason WNIT bid.
2002: Women's Swimming won its first of four straight CAA Championships (2002-2005).
2002: In the championship final of the 200-meter butterfly, swimmer Lauren Stinnett '02 finished second in 2:14.25, a time good enough for her to make the cut for the NCAA Championship and the 2004 Olympic Trials.
2003: Mary Campioli became the first diver to advance to the NCAA Championship.
2004: Women’s basketball earns a postseason WNIT bid.
2007: Former Mason standout Jen Derevjanik wins a WNBA Championship with the Phoenix Mercury.
2012: Six-time All-American Ashley Danner placed second at NCAA Championships in the 100 breaststroke, the highest finish ever by a Mason athlete at Nationals.
2013: Mason Athletics joins the Atlantic 10 Conference. Women's Track and Field claims five Atlantic 10 Championships, two Indoor (2015, 2016) and three Outdoor (2014, 2015 and 2017).
2018: Mason women’s basketball wins its first-round WNIT game against Stephen F. Austin for their first postseason victory in program history.
2018: Natalie Butler earns Women’s Basketball Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and was named to the Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention Team. She is the first Mason player to earn honorable mention All-America honors from the AP.
April 12, 2018: Women’s basketball player Natalie Butler was drafted 30th overall by the WNBA Dallas Wings becoming the first Mason women’s basketball player to be drafted.