50 Years of Title IX at Creighton University

As the sports world reflects on Title IX, its impact, progress, and continual push forward, celebrating the last 50 years’ worth of work is imperative. It’s also important that the work left to be done is recognized and accomplished.

For Creighton Athletics, this celebration and recognition includes monthly themes that encompass all areas of women’s sports, interactive opportunities for fans and community members, ways to get involved and give back, as well as celebrations and events throughout the year. Stay up to date here with all elements of this celebration.

TITLE IX LEGISLATION

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.

Signed by President Nixon on June 23, 1972.

**Dreams.** That’s what Mary Higgins had in the early 1970s, when she was a student on campus. Higgins, who also broke down barriers as the first woman directly elected to the executive board of Creighton’s student government, yearned for a chance to put on a Creighton uniform and compete in her University’s name. She and others of like mind set out to form a softball team, so they could **“*play like we did at home before college.*”** While women at Creighton had competed in intramural sports, there were no major intercollegiate teams like today. Higgins approached then assistant athletic director Dan Offenburger, BS’58, MSEdu’63, with her case. She knew the arguments against forming women’s teams. ***“They don’t bring in enough money,”*** she said. ***“But, then, I reasoned that there were other men’s teams that weren’t money-makers either. So it was a male-female question.”*** It didn’t hurt that Title IX — the hotly debated federal legislation that made it imperative for schools, colleges and universities to establish women’s sports programs — had become the law of the land in 1972.

Title IX Tidbits

Title IX was championed by Edith Green and Patsy Mink in the House of Representatives and Birch Bayh in the Senate. President Richard Nixon signed Title IX on June 23, 1972. It 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 language of Title IX says nothing specifically about athletics. However, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare determined that because educational institutions receive federal funding, all aspects of the school’s operations are covered by Title IX, including sports.

The NCAA did not hold championships for women’s sports prior to the implementation if Title IX. Women’s athletics were administered by the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) until the NCAA began sponsoring women’s championships in 1982.

According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, there are three parts to Title IX as it applies to athletics programs: (1) effective accommodation of student interests and abilities (participation), (2) athletic financial assistance (scholarships), and (3) other program components such as equipment, supplies, scheduling of games and practice times, travel, access to tutoring, coaching, locker rooms, facilities, medical and athletic training services, publicity, recruitment, and other support services.

Key Moments in Women’s Athletics at Creighton

The first women’s team sponsored by the University was rifle, beginning in 1932. During World War II, female students created a fitness-training club to “get every coed interested in athletics to make herself fit for whatever duties wartime may demand.” In 1950, female students could take two gym classes — either modern dance or swimming.

In the fall of 1959, the
newly formed Women’s Recreation Association organized several intramural
sports activities, including instruction in “water ballet.” In 1962, a Creighton
synchronized swimming team — organized by a young student known as
the — In the fall of 1959, the newly formed Women’s Recreation Association organized several intramural sports activities, including instruction in “water ballet.” In 1962, a Creighton synchronized swimming team — organized by a young student known as the “mermaid of the freshman class” — won two trophies at the Amateur Athletic Union competition in Columbus, Neb. And, in 1964, a female freshman made the tennis team after she proved to her coach that “she could hit the ball over the net as well as most of her male counterparts.

Creighton University got its first taste of women's athletics in 1973 when Mary Higgins, became a "founding mother" of the program. Higgins, then a student, gathered the first women's softball team ever at Creighton. That got the candle burning. The following year, Creighton hired two women's coaches and had volleyball, basketball and softball teams. By fall, 1976, there were three full time women on the staff and by 1977, they began awarding scholarships to female athletes.

For the 1977-78 school year Creighton fielded teams in softball, basketball, volleyball, golf and tennis. But most important to the development of the women's athletic department was the awarding of the first
scholarships for women athletes in the hi — For the 1977-78 school year Creighton fielded teams in softball, basketball, volleyball, golf and tennis. But most important to the development of the women's athletic department was the awarding of the first scholarships for women athletes in the history of the university. Through the summer, scholarships were awarded to six freshmen and one junior college transfer. Freshmen Sheila Miller and Peggy Mahoney were given basketball scholarships. Roslyn Pavageau and Mary Beth Eikmeier earned them in volleyball, and Cheryl Love, Jill Cristy and Deb Sharar picked up scholarships to play both softball and basketball.

In May of 1979 Creighton saw its women's programs join Division I of the AIAW. The AIAW was the governing body for Women's Intercollegiate Athletics. Creighton participated in softball, basketball and volleyball at the highest level of women's athletics.

In 1982 Omaha hosts the inaugural NCAA Women’s College World Series in Omaha. The event remained in Omaha through the end of the 1987 season.

Starting on May 11, 1991, Creighton and Utah played what remains the longest game in NCAA softball history. It spanned 31 innings, lasted almost seven hours and required more than 700 pitches to complete. Not until after midnight did Creighton's 1-0 win stave off season-ending elimination. The game lasted longer than any NCAA softball or baseball game before or since.

In 2002 Jaimie Thompson becomes first goalkeeper in MVC history to be named Player of the Year in women’s soccer after she leads CU to their first MVC regular-season title, first MVC Tournament title and first NCAA Tournament appearance.

Michael G. Morrison, S.J., Stadium is one of the finest on-campus soccer venue in the nation. The Bluejays opened play in the $13 million Morrison Stadium in 2003

The 2004 Bluejays Basketball team captured the first postseason national title by any Creighton athletic program by cruising through the WNIT, capping the championship run with a 73-52 victory over UNLV in the championship game at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. The WNIT championship was also a first for the Missouri Valley Conference.

In 2009 the Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center and D.J. Sokol Arena ushered in a new era of Division I women’s athletics at Creighton University. The 78,000-square-foot facility
serves as the home for women’s basketball and volleyball. It also hou — In 2009 the Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center and D.J. Sokol Arena ushered in a new era of Division I women’s athletics at Creighton University. The 78,000-square-foot facility serves as the home for women’s basketball and volleyball. It also houses locker rooms, coaches’ offices, ticket offices, athletic training, meeting rooms, a media room and more. The facility was made possible through support from Wayne and Eileen Ryan and David and Peggy Sokol and their families, along with gifts from other generous Bluejay supporters.

On August 16, 2010 Creighton Rowing joined the West Coast Conference. Creighton had competed as an independent in women's rowing since the program began competition in the fall of 1994.

In 2010 Creighton Volleyball makes first NCAA Tournament appearance and upsets #16 Iowa State as Kirsten Bernthal Booth is named National Coach of the Year.

2014 marked Creighton’s first trip to the BIG EAST Women’s Tennis Championships. It was a memorable one played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open.

On December 10, 2016 Creighton Volleyball defeated Michigan to advance to the program's first NCAA Elite Eight. The previous season the Jays advanced to their first Sweet 16.

Creighton dedicated the new Ruth Scott Training Center on February 4, 2019. Designed primarily for volleyball and women’s basketball, this facility acknowledges the hardworking, talented coaches and student-athletes Creighton hopes to retain.

The 2021 Creighton Women’s Cross Country earns a 3.83 GPA, the best by any Creighton team in any sport for a semester ever.

For the first time in history Creighton Women's Basketball advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 & Elite Eight defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes on March 20th and the Iowa State Cyclones on March 25th, 2022.

Notable Figures in Creighton Athletics History

Kelly Brookhart

One of the top softball players in CU history, Brookhart graduated in 1991 as Creighton’s all-time leader in hits, doubles, wins, games played and games pitched. She’s best remembered for throwing a 31-inning shutout in a 1991 WAC Tournament win over Utah in the longest game in NCAA history.
Kelli Browning

The first player in Creighton Volleyball history to earn All-American honors in three consecutive seasons, including a spot on the AVCA All-America Third Team in 2014. The Wisconsin native claimed All-Conference First Team honors during her final three seasons and earned Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors following the 2012 campaign.
Becky Flynn-Jensen

Named MVC Freshman of the Year and MVC Newcomer of the Year in 1992-93 after leading CU in scoring, rebounding and steals. She recorded the first triple-double in school history in 1993-94, when she set a school-record with 105 steals, was named MVC Defensive Player of the Year and led the Bluejays to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Her final two seasons were cut short by knee injuries, but she was still named All-MVC as a junior, when she was also named a Second Team CoSIDA Academic All-American.
Pam Gradoville Simon

Played women's basketball at Creighton from 1984-88. She averaged 22.0 points per game on the programs first postseason team in 1986-87 and finished her career with program records of 2,024 points, 924 rebounds, 823 field goals made and 116 blocked shots.
Heidi Geier Woodard

Remains Creighton’s all-time leader in stolen bases and helped lead the resurgence of Bluejay softball under Brent Vigness in the late 1990s. She led CU in hits and steals for Creighton’s 1998 and 1999 MVC champions, which helped earn the 1999 team CU’s first NCAA Tournament bid since 1990.
Mary Higgins

Served as Creighton's softball coach from 1977-93, but her impact goes far beyond that. In 1987 became the first female inducted into the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame. As a coach, she owned a 564-298 record in 17 years, helping Creighton reach the NCAA's Women's College World Series twice and the AIAW World Series twice. After retiring from coaching in 1992, she served as Assistant Athletic Director before transitioning to the academic side of the University in 1997.
Korie Lebeda

Set a Missouri Valley Conference record with 13.34 assists per set in 2005 and was a three-time First Team All-MVC pick (2006, 2007, 2008). She holds the program record with 5,281 career assists and with 1,484 assists in a season (2006). She is currently the head volleyball coach at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Christy Neneman

Named MVC Player of the Year in 2002 and 2003. After helping CU to the 2002 NCAA Tournament, Neneman guided the Bluejays to the Final Four of the 2003 WNIT and then was named MVP of the 2004 WNIT as Creighton claimed its first postseason national title.
Tammy Nielsen Winkler

Was the No. 1 pitcher from 2003-05 for the Creighton Softball team, throwing every inning in 10 straight victories at the MVC Tournament while helping the Jays to three straight league tournament titles. She was the first pitcher in Creighton history to record three 20-win seasons, and was a three-time All-MVC First Team honoree. Nielsen Winkler ranks second at Creighton with 914 career strikeouts, and remains the only pitcher in MVC history with multiple seasons of 300 or more strikeouts. Nielsen Winkler authored five no-hitters in 2004, when she was named MVC Pitcher of the Year and a Second Team Easton All-American.
Tara Oltman Higgins

The first female student-athlete in school history to earn first-team all-conference honors all four years of her career and is the only three-time Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year in league history. Oltman was a three-time CoSIDA Academic All-American for her efforts in the classroom and community, as well as a three-time Easton All-American for her work on the diamond.
Jessica Powers

A 2002 graduate and former All-American women's soccer player. While playing at Creighton she led the team in points and goals in both the 1997 and 1998 seasons, and led the team in assists and shots on goal in 1998. Powers was the first Creighton women's soccer player to be named as an All-American, and in 2006 was named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial Team in women’s soccer.
Jody Schwartz Longballa

Remembered best as a First Team All-American in 1988, the year the senior first baseman led the team with a .340 average, 10 doubles, four home runs and 36 RBI, while also posting a .989 fielding percentage. In the circle, she was 10-5 with a 1.14 ERA in 17 starts which included 12 complete games.
Laura Spanheimer Dechant

The 2005 Carl M. Reinert, S.J., Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Spanheimer was the Missour Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004. She was the only player in conference history to earn all-defensive team honors all four years of her career. More than just a defensive standout, Spanheimer scored 1,588 points and made 250 three-point field goals. A two-time all-MVC first team selection (2004, 2005), Spanheimer also earned Creighton’s John J. “Red” McManus Award in 2005.
Melissa Walsh Albers

A 2002 graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences and is the first volleyball player in school history to join the Creighton Athletic Hall of Fame. She received numerous honors during her playing time, and was a three-time First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference pick, two-time All-MVC Tournament Team and a three-time member of the MVC’s Scholar-Athlete First Team. As a senior, she led the conference with 4.22 kills per set, the first Creighton volleyball player in history to lead the conference in any statistical category. In 2006, she was named to the conference’s All-Centennial Volleyball Team.
Tanya Warren

A standout guard for the Bluejays from 1983-88, Tanya Warren established herself as one of the top players in Creighton women’s basketball history. She ranks 10th in career scoring as well as holding numerous other spots in the University’s record books. Warren’s No. 10 jersey is one of two retired numbers in program history. In 2007 she became the first Black female women’s basketball head coach in MVC history when she was hired by Northern Iowa. She is the school’s winningest women’s basketball coach in history.
Carrie Welle Anderson

A 1998 College of Business graduate, was honored with selection to the MVC All-Centennial Team for basketball. She was a three-time first team all-Valley and MVC Scholar-Athlete honoree, earning MVC Player of the Year honors as a junior in 1997. As a senior, she was named a second-team CoSIDA Academic All-American. She was also named the 1998 NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of Nebraska as well as the 1998 Omaha College Sportswoman of the Year. In the Creighton record books, she still ranks first in free-throws made and attempted, fifth in scoring average, eighth in scoring and 10th in field goal percentage.
Connie Yori

Graduated as the leading scorer in Creighton history with 2,010 career points. She was inducted into the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992 and her No. 25 jersey was retired. Yori coached the Bluejays from 1992-2002, winning 170 games and helping CU to a pair of NCAA Tournaments. She won 280 games as head coach at Nebraska and named National Coach of the Year in 2010. She received Creighton’s Leader for Life Award in 2011, which honors an individual whose actions have made a lasting impact on women’s sports at the University.