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I cannot imagine feeling unwelcomed to play sports. Being an athlete has been the largest part of me since I put on my shin guards and hot pink socks before every soccer game as an 8 year old. Playing with the Pink Panther’s soccer team that year and later in high school basketball, track and cross country has truly made me who I am today.

            I don’t know what would have become of me if I wasn’t an athlete. Sports gave me something to be passionate about. It taught me how to work hard and set goals. I learned to take and give direction. I also learned how to deal with great, and sometimes difficult, coaches and teammates. I learned how to control my emotions and my nerves when things weren’t going the way I wanted them to go.

            I am so fortunate that I was given the space to learn these wonderful life lessons. Because of my opportunity to play, thanks to Title IX, I know how to work hard, set goals, give and take direction, work along side wonderful and sometimes difficult people and power through tough times off the field.

            Playing sports was a given. I didn’t have to fight my high school administration for court time. I didn’t have to convince my parents that playing sports would be fun or that it would be a positive experience for me. No, my parents asked me what sport I wanted to play. I think they maybe expected their kid to be an athlete.

            Despite the effortless opportunity, I was grateful. I knew that my experience with sports was different than the women that came before me. I knew this because of my mom. She was a runner in high school, just like me. The only difference was that for her, playing sports was seen as unfeminine and not something girls should be wasting their time with. I was never given that impression. I was supported.

            I am fortunate that my mother gave me background on her athletic experience. Hers was one of the two perspectives about women’s sports that I heard as a young athlete. The other came from the mainstream media. Their perspective was much different than my moms. Their tone was negative about women’s sports and specifically, Title IX. I remember being so confused. Should I like this law or hate it?

            I am so pleased to see so many people and institutions celebrating Title IX’s 40^th year. With the passing of several years, I think the media has grown to understand some of the benefits of this law. Today, there is coverage about it on ESPN, teams are hosting Title IX games and other events and people around the world, like myself, are recollecting and sharing stories on blogs and social media experiences about their athletic experiences thanks to Title IX.

            In just a few decades the pioneers and first generation of Title IX athletes won’t be here to share their stories. I hope that their experiences are passed on from parent to child so young female athletes of the future understand the gift they were given. I hope that they see the many positive portrayals of female athletes and hear good things about Title IX, so they don’t have to wonder, should I like this law or should I hate it? 

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Nike via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Nike.

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