By Harry Minium
NORFOLK, Va. — Nancy Lieberman won two national championships and a Wade Trophy National Player of the Year award at Old Dominion University. In 1976, she became the youngest basketball player to win an Olympic medal.
She’s coached and played for men’s and women’s basketball teams, and since retiring from basketball at age 50 (take that Tom Brady) has honed a career as broadcaster, coach and philanthropist.
Nicknamed “Lady Magic” because she was considered the female version of Magic Johnson, she is a household name with millions of women’s basketball players and fans.
And none of it would have happened if not for 37 words inserted into the Education Amendments Act of 1972, which was signed into law 50 years ago by President Richard Nixon.
“I’m a Title IX baby,” Lieberman said. “Without Title IX, I would have had a very different life.”
So would have tens of millions of others. Although Title IX is best known for its impact on athletics, it changed everything for women seeking advanced degrees or admission into elite universities that once discouraged them from applying.
ODU’s athletic department will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX with events this week. On Thursday night, Monique Smith, former commissioner of CIAA and a professor at Hampton University, will hold a mixer with faculty and staff at the…
