Northwestern University Athletics
Positively Dr. Gragg - November 2022
11/11/2022 1:15:00 PM | General
Wildcats,
Last month Northwestern hosted "Title IX At 50: Past, Present, Future", including a full day of panels inside Walter Athletics Center and many events I was grateful to be able to attend. The purpose was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX's passage into law, understand its origins and rich history, explore its legacy and future, and bring awareness to the issues still impacting high school and college athletics and education. The experiences shared by panelists all weekend reinforced how far we've come; and how far we still have to go.
Both as someone with Southern roots and a deep appreciation for history, one highlight of the event was the screening of a documentary about "The Queen of Basketball," Lusia Harris. If hers is not a name that you immediately recognize as an important historical figure in sports, you're not alone. Despite scoring the first basket in women's Olympic history, being the only woman ever drafted by the NBA, and being one of the first two women inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, this daughter of Mississippi sharecroppers passed away earlier this year largely unknown by the public. Especially poignant as basketball season tips off here in Evanston, I strongly recommend you take the time to watch.
In total, it would be hard to describe the weekend better than distinguished alumnus and University Trustee Christine Brennan who said, "It's no surprise that the nation's best and most comprehensive Title IX 50th anniversary commemoration happened at Northwestern — a school that has taken women's sports seriously from the beginning, with great results."
A direct line can be drawn from that investment over the last 50 years to the remarkable success of our women's teams today. Whether it be NCAA championships, College World Series appearances, Big Ten titles or national rankings, the success of Wildcats women's programs is a result of methodical, proactive, intentional work by so many of you and so many who came before us here in Evanston.
Thank you for your continued support. Go Cats!
Positively,
Dr. Gragg
Last month Northwestern hosted "Title IX At 50: Past, Present, Future", including a full day of panels inside Walter Athletics Center and many events I was grateful to be able to attend. The purpose was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX's passage into law, understand its origins and rich history, explore its legacy and future, and bring awareness to the issues still impacting high school and college athletics and education. The experiences shared by panelists all weekend reinforced how far we've come; and how far we still have to go.
Both as someone with Southern roots and a deep appreciation for history, one highlight of the event was the screening of a documentary about "The Queen of Basketball," Lusia Harris. If hers is not a name that you immediately recognize as an important historical figure in sports, you're not alone. Despite scoring the first basket in women's Olympic history, being the only woman ever drafted by the NBA, and being one of the first two women inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, this daughter of Mississippi sharecroppers passed away earlier this year largely unknown by the public. Especially poignant as basketball season tips off here in Evanston, I strongly recommend you take the time to watch.
In total, it would be hard to describe the weekend better than distinguished alumnus and University Trustee Christine Brennan who said, "It's no surprise that the nation's best and most comprehensive Title IX 50th anniversary commemoration happened at Northwestern — a school that has taken women's sports seriously from the beginning, with great results."
A direct line can be drawn from that investment over the last 50 years to the remarkable success of our women's teams today. Whether it be NCAA championships, College World Series appearances, Big Ten titles or national rankings, the success of Wildcats women's programs is a result of methodical, proactive, intentional work by so many of you and so many who came before us here in Evanston.
Thank you for your continued support. Go Cats!
Positively,
Dr. Gragg
Lacrosse - NCAA Tournament 2nd Round vs JMU Postgame Press Conference (5/10/26)
Sunday, May 10
Baseball - 'Cats Ground Redbirds in 7-1 Midweek Victory (5/5/26)
Tuesday, May 05
Softball - Marina Mason Tosses One-Hit Shutout, 'Cats Claim Series Win vs. Minnesota (5/3/26)
Monday, May 04
Baseball - 'Cats Take Series with 9-6 Victory over Hoosiers (5/3/26)
Sunday, May 03
