Title IX

Women’s athletics existed informally throughout the 1960s. Teams were allowed to compete with other colleges within the Texas Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, but the university did not fund these squads. Colleges and universities were required to provide funding for women’s intercollegiate athletics teams following the passage of Title IX legislation of 1972. Margo Harbison was named the first Director of Women’s Athletics at East Texas and was given a budget of $10,300, which did not equal the cost of uniforms. Under Dr. Harbison’s leadership, funding for women’s athletics increased tenfold, with more than 60 percent of the budget earmarked for scholarships by 1980. The university’s investment in women’s athletics proved beneficial, with the volleyball team finishing second in the NAIA national championship that same year.