Was I Born in the Wrong Era?
Every once in a while when I’m reading a historical fiction novel or watching a TV show/movie that romanticizes some historic decade, I find myself wondering if I was born in the wrong era. I’m sure many of you can relate to this thought because even one of my class mates did and touched upon it in one of his blog posts.
I have always thought that I would be a perfect fit for a time when there was no social media and no cell phones; a world in which you didn’t have to be plugged in 24/7. That is why I was so fascinated with the 80s. My mom always shared her college days from “back in the day” (I know, we’ve all heard this phrase) and how things at Santa Clara now are so much different from back then.
Source: Giphy
Although some may argue that things have changed for the worse, I discovered that some things have also changed significantly for the better.
My Journey Into the Past
As I began my research in the archives, I had a framework for what I was interested in (the 80s) but didn’t exactly know what I was looking for. I sat down at a table dedicated to old campus maps and demographics from the 1850s (when the college was founded) up until now.
I opened a folder entitled “University of Santa Clara Visitors Guide” and, among dozens of brochures and pamphlets designed to handout to prospective students and their families, found a cute little book called “University of Santa Clara 1976 Pocket Profile.”
Source: Natalie Kennedy
Although this wasn’t exactly the 80s, it was close enough to be of interest to me.
I started flipping through the minuscule pages of the book, not exactly knowing what I was looking for, and stumbled upon two sections entitled “Men’s Athletics” and “Women’s Recreation and Athletics.” These immediately piqued my interest as a large part of my college experience has been influenced by my participation in collegiate athletics.
To my surprise (I honestly don’t know how I was so naive) I discovered that Santa Clara didn’t offer NCAA Division 1 women’s athletics in 1976. Instead, their sports (soccer was not listed, to my disappointment) competed in the Northern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, or NCIAC.
This made me wonder about when NCAA women’s athletics began at SCU and how women’s sports have evolved over the years (I am currently in the process of researching this).
What is Title IX?
Title IX was revolutionary in the movement for equality among the sexes in all aspects, including sports. I wondered, if Title IX was passed in 1972, then why were women’s sports still not NCAA Division 1-level in 1976?
I found the answer within the files kept my Marygrace Colby, the first Director of Women’s Athletics and Recreation at Santa Clara: “Even though this amendment was written in 1972, they are still not sure how they are going to instrument and regulate this amendment” and frankly, “most schools could not handle separate but equal programs for men’s and women’s [sports] from a financial point of view” (February 1974).
Maybe I’m Fine in My Own Era
Even though the idea of living in the 70s and 80s is enticing, I think I will stick right where I am. Honestly, I don’t know if I can imagine a college experience, or even school experience, without Title IX. For one, I probably wouldn’t even have the opportunity to be at such a great school, and two, I definitely wouldn’t have the opportunity to travel across the country representing my school through athletics.
So, basically, thank you to Richard Nixon and Congress who have made my life, and all other females’ lives, what it is today.
Source: Giphy
Video Citation: “Title IX at 40.” Youtube, uploaded by The Obama White House, 20 June 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jqj40dybSQ.