July 27, 2006

SEATTLE - For nearly eight decades, the University of Washington has enjoyed a rich history of participation by women athletes. This spring, the Husky athletic department will honor its proud heritage by providing letter awards to all female athletes who competed at UW prior to the 1975-76 season.

On Saturday, April 7, at the Bank of America Arena on the UW campus, the department will conduct a special reception and dinner to recognize the contributions of countless women who competed as Husky student-athletes. The event will feature UW president Mark Emmert, along with director of athletics Todd Turner, the Husky Band and a number of former Husky coaches, student-athletes and supporters.

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"The University of Washington has a nationally-recognized tradition of excellence in women's athletics," said Turner. "That is a testament to the women who were immeasurably dedicated to this institution, their sport, their teammates and, most importantly, themselves. Whether they knew it or not at the time, they were trailblazers who set the path for the incredible success and opportunities our women enjoy today; and they all should look forward to this well-deserved recognition."

The athletic department and a tremendous committee of pre and post Title IX athletes are currently in the process of gathering information regarding the names and whereabouts of women who competed prior to the 1975-1976 season at Washington in the following sports: archery, basketball, bowling, cross country, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, rowing, skiing, swimming, synchronized swimming, tennis, track and field and volleyball. Former UW female student-athletes prior to the 1975-976 season should contact Ann Higgins at higginsa@u.washington.edu

"We want every student-athlete who participated as a Husky to feel intimately connected with the history of UW athletics," said Marie Tuite, who has served as UW's Senior Associate Athletic Director since 1993 and has been a driving force for excellence in Washington's athletics. "It is important that we recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of every female athlete who paved the way for our successful programs. Finding and contacting everyone is a daunting challenge, but it is an effort that is well worth it.

Over the years, hundreds of women participated as UW student-athletes. Tuite especially noted the accomplishments of 80-year-old Maggie Trimble, who defeated an Olympian in swimming and was an excellent field hockey player for the Huskies during her time as a student at UW.

The University of Washington led the way in the Northwest by providing athletic scholarships to female student-athletes following the 1975-76 competitive season. Just three years earlier, on June 23, 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments was enacted by Congress and signed into law by Richard Nixon. The sponsors of Title IX are Birch Bayh (Senate) and Edith Green (House of Representatives) and the legislation prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving any type of federal financial aid.

Today, the UW awards a total of 130 athletic scholarships to female student-athletes, which is approximately 99% percent of the maximum allowed by the NCAA for the sports in which the institution competes.

Among the numerous accomplishments of female Husky sports are: Three NCAA rowing team championships; the 2005 NCAA title in volleyball; seven softball College World Series appearances; eight NCAA tournament appearances in women's soccer; a total of 11 women's tennis All-Americans in the last six seasons; two NCAA gymnastics titles; nine-straight NCAA Tournament appearances in women's golf; five NCAA women's basketball tournament appearances; NCAA championships appearances in eight of the last nine seasons in cross country; and a NCAA champion in track in field in 2006.