50 Years of Title IX at Florida State University

History

On June 23, 1972, the Education Amendments Act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon. The legislation addresses gender inequality in education and within it is a clause called Title IX that reads: “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.”

With the adoption of Title IX, women’s intercollegiate athletics at Florida State University quickly became one of the nation’s premier programs and has been the stage for an incredible list of iconic athletes, incredible teams, emotional moments and countless great stories over the last 50 years.

We hope you enjoy this brief tribute to the FSU women’s athletic experience and join us in celebrating the opportunities created 50 years ago.

Impact of Title IX at Florida State Iconic Female Athletes By The Numbers Moments in FSU Women's Athletics Title IX Story Series

The Impact of Title IX at Florida State

“She really epitomized what a Lady Seminole should be. She trained like a champion, worked hard and really got herself involved in the community.” – Dr. Cecile Reynaud on Gabrielle Reece

Celebrating Our Seminole Women

Title IX Roundtable

“Honestly breathtaking. I remember as a young girl I couldn’t find many softball games on TV, let alone today we are on primetime on ESPN and to think that this is even imaginable is amazing.” -Michaela Edenfield

Beach Volleyball on Title IX

“Women’s sports were considered an extracurricular, and now I have a career coaching a women’s sport.” – Brooke Niles

“I feel really lucky to have two female coaches who have always been able to understand me and push me to be better and to inspire me to go after careers underrepresented by women.” – Alaina Chacon

Iconic Female Athletes

Sue Galkantas is Florida State Women's Basketball's all-time leader with 2,323 points.

Darby Cottle is one of Florida State Softball's all-time legends.

Spanish guard and Olympian Leticia Romero was part of three consecutive NCAA Sweet 16s at FSU from 2014-17.

WNBA star Natasha Howard embraced Head Coach Sue Semrau through her four years as a Seminole from 2010-14.

Jessie Warren and her engaging personality spear-headed FSU in its 2018 national championship season.

Outside Hitter Nicole Walch was a three-time All-American for Florida State Volleyball from 2012-15, leading the team to a pair of Sweet 16s in her time.

Brianna Barry was a Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame inductee in 2021 who enjoyed a tremendous career.

Gabrielle Reece played at Florida State from 1987-90 and elevated the program as a middle blocker before becoming a professional volleyball player, fashion model, actress and sports personality.

Alaina Chacon and Madison Fitzpatrick left their FSU careers with 58 wins together.

From 2012-16, beach volleyball's Jace Pardon was a three-time All-American.

Jessica van der Linden won the USA Softball Player of the Year and the Honda Award in 2004, capping a record-breaking career at FSU.

Aurora Davis (now Aurora Newgard) became a two-time All-American at FSU.

Hailing from Iceland, Dagny Brynjarsdottir was the 2014 ACC Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 and helped bring soccer its first national title.

Jaelin Howell etched her name among some of collegiate soccer's greats, winning national titles in 2018 and 2021.

Susan Kuijken is a two-time Olympian and a three-time ACC Champion at FSU.

Colleen Quigley prospered at FSU in both cross country and track and field. She finished her career winning the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 2015.

Matilda Castren was a two-time All-American for FSU Women's Golf from 2014-17.

Caroline Westrup, now the head coach at Missouri, earned All-America honors in all four of her years at FSU (2006-09).

Petra Hule just finished an unbelievable career for women's tennis, winning 202 matches.

Andrea Garcia is Florida State Women's Tennis' all-time wins leader with 206 victories.

Lauren McCreless was a three-time All-ACC selection for the Seminoles from 2007-10.

Molly Carlson is a two-time ACC Diver of the Year and three-time ACC Diving Meet MVP. She was named the 2020 ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Tiffany Manning was a two-time All-American and three-time honorable mention. She was a two-time ACC Champion in springboard events in 2004 where she earned ACC Diving Meet MVP honors.

Emma Dutton was a seven-time ACC champion in 2004 before going on the capture All-America accolades in the 100 & 200 breast. She was named the ACC Swimmer of the Year and is the only Seminole in history to accomplish the feat.

An eight-time ACC Champion, Lauren Brick helped the Noles to the ACC title in 2006. She won the 100 breast three times and was also a three-time All-American and five-time honorable mention.

Katrina Young set the ACC meet record in the women's platform at 364.70 in 2014. Young is a three-time ACC Champion and two-time All-American. She later went on to represent the United States at the Olympics in 2016 & 2020.

Tiffany Oliver is a four-time ACC Champion in the sprint free events in 2013 and 2014. She still holds the 50 (22.02) and 100 (48.19) free school records today.

As a 21-time NCAA All-American, Marita Payne was one of Florida State's most prolific runners

Lacy Janson won two national titles in pole vault in 2003 (indoor) and 2006 (outdoor)

Kim Williams was the 2009 USTFCCA Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year and is a three-time Olympian

By The Numbers

Moments in Florida State Women's Athletics

Florida State Softball captured the hearts of the nation for its style of play when it won the 2018 Women’s College World Series

Florida State Women’s Golf reached match play in the 2022 NCAA Championship

The Seminole Swimming and Diving Team captured the 2006 ACC Championship

From 2008-13, the women’s cross country team won six consecutive ACC titles

Women’s Tennis made its second trip to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2021

The Women’s Soccer program won its third NCAA title in 2021

Florida State Beach Volleyball has won six consecutive Coastal Collegiate Sports Association titles, starting in 2016

Florida State Women’s Basketball had an incredible season in 2014-15, going 32-5 and reaching its second of three NCAA Elite Eights

The 2011 Florida State Volleyball Team made a phenomenal run to the NCAA National Semifinals, beating Iowa State in a five-set thriller in Minneapolis

In 1984, the women’s outdoor track and field team delivered the fourth national championship for FSU’s women’s athletics

Beginning on June 23, Florida State Athletics will detail compelling stories about past and present female athletes for the next month. Check back for daily posts from the @Seminoles Instagram account

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