GRANVILLE, Ohio (July 9, 2022) – This year marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a landmark piece of legislation for gender equity.

In recognition of the 50th year of Title IX, Denison University Athletics asks you to join us in our year-long celebration as we recognize and pay tribute to the impact the women of this university have had on the athletic department.

A commemoration of the rich history of women's sports at Denison University will take place throughout the year with a digital campaign highlighting our female pioneers, former student-athletes, current student-athletes and coaches each month, in addition to other feature events titled "Nine For IX". For Denison Athletics, this recognition includes 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.

This site will be updated throughout the year as we shine the spotlight on the influential women that helped shape this department and why honoring their legacy by continuing to create opportunities for women is so important to Denison.
 
50 Years of Title IX:
Beginning on July 9, 2022, Denison Athletics will host nine events/campaigns to honor our current and former student-athletes and coaches, and to celebrate the impact of Title IX on athletics that continues to this day. On the ninth of each month from July 2022 to May 2023, Denison Athletics will highlight various female pioneers, former student-athletes, current student-athletes and coaches highlighting their impact on Denison Athletics and their thoughts on Title IX's impact on their lives.

First up, we have the pioneers who helped pave the way for women competing in varsity sports at Denison University:

Helen Barr
Helen Barr served as the Director of Denison's Department of Physical Education for Women for 25 years, spanning 1924-49. A trailblazer in the expansion of women's athletics at the college level, Barr not only created the physical education major at Denison, but was instrumental in the construction of facilities for sports such as track & field and field hockey, the Women's Athletic Association (WAA) Cabin, and the Lamson Lodge.

Barr worked tirelessly to advance women's athletics to equality with the men's athletic programs at Denison. As a faculty member, she greatly expanded curriculum offerings to females on campus. Barr was a member of the White House Conference on Physical Fitness. In 1981, Denison honored her as one of the college's Sesquicentennial Greats.

Natalie Shepard
Natalie Shepard succeeded Helen Barr at Denison in 1949 and would remain at the college until 1973. A faculty member in the department of Physical Education, Shepard continued the expansion laid by her predecessor. She would go on to become one of the most respected members of the Denison faculty, and an archetype for all future female athletic administrators functioning within a liberal arts setting.

Shepard served three terms on the President's Advisory Council and became the first female to be elected chair of the faculty.  A forerunner within the realm of physical education, Shepard was among the first to nationally propose realignment of the administration and the teaching of physical education.  Shepard initiated a plan to consolidate men's and women's physical education into a single entity and was the first chair of the joint men's and women's department of P.E. at Denison. In 1960 she authored the book, "Foundations and Principles of Physical Education."

Rich Seils '67 said "I took Natalie Shepard's class 'Foundations of Physical Education', which was a course about the philosophy of athletics focusing on how interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics were an important part of the education process. The central theme of her message was that athletics program should be administered in such a manger that winning is an important goal for the athlete. And of greater significance, through the pursuit of winning, program should be administered so that the athlete learns important life skills. Natalie was very influential as a practitioner in the field of athletics, was very intellectual, and helped to shape me as a professional."

Dr. Terry Parsons '62 stated, "Dr. Natalie Shepard was a true pioneer of emerging Physical Education theory. Dr. Shepard's course 'Foundations of Physical Education' dramatically altered my perspective as she shared her of how life-enhancing physical activity and sport can/should be. Her enthusiasm quickly diverted my career choice, and her professional influence stimulated my philosophy as a professor and coach. Thought my 30-year career of teacher/coach preparation, I proudly relayed her message…. 'We don't merely teach skills, we team people. We teach people values, we teach people ethics, and we teach people behaviors via the magical allure of human movement'."

Dale Googins said, "When I was hired in 1961 as the Head Athletic Trainer at Denison, I worked with Natalie who was so distinguished and was such a great educator. She was influential as a mentor in teaching, was a very stronger leader and a great thinker. He book 'Foundations of Physical Education' was used in undergraduate and graduate school all over. Denison was ahead of Title IX and Natalie's ability as a leader and education in Physical Education had a direct effect on her colleagues and the coaches. She impacted both men and women and was very distinguished… she made you listen and take note. She was such a positive person and dedicated Physical Educator. I worked closely with her, and I was in awe of her as a leader in directing the women's program."

Dr. Mattie Ross
Dr. Mattie Ross was a Denison faculty member from 1952 to 1985. Ross earned her undergraduate degree from Central Missouri State College in 1947 and then received her master's degree from the University of Missouri in 1950. In 1960, Ross completed her doctoral work at The Ohio State University. While a graduate student at Missouri, Ross taught at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. In her first several years at Denison, Ross coached or supervised three women's sports teams or clubs each year. Included were swimming, field hockey and lacrosse, and she often produced state championship teams. She later coached women's bowling and tennis.

During her tenure at DU, Ross coached or supervised every women's sport except fencing. She taught several courses in Denison's physical education curriculum, including Kinesiology, Physiology of Exercise, Organization and Administration of Physical Education and Methods and Techniques of Sports. In 1971, Ross became the chair of Denison's department of physical education, and continued to serve in that capacity until retiring from Denison in 1985.

Joe Knetzer '85 said, "Mattie Ross was an innovator and a trailblazer. A person who stepped forward into the fight for change and inclusion. On a personal level, Mattie caried about me, my family and my story. She was a true servant, leader, and builder of lasting relationships, and I am blessed Mattie and her legacy are part of me forever."

Elizabeth "Penny" Van Horn
Elizabeth "Penny" Van Horn holds a bachelor's degree from Miami University, a Master of Science degree from Wellesley College, and Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Serving as Denison's first women's athletic director from 1972 to 1983, Van Horn started and coached women's intercollegiate basketball, bowling and tennis teams during the 1950's, '60s and '70s. She also coached the DU women's swimming team from 1971 to 1974. During her stint as tennis coach, Van Horn's teams won several state championships and earned national rankings in the top-10. In 1972, she coached Denison Hall of Famer Steffie Wright to the state championship.

Van Horn held the position of professor of physical education during all her years at Denison. She also established Committee W (status of women) of Denison's AAUP. She was a member of the National Honor Society for Women in Education, the Cradle of Coaches at Miami University, the Ohio College Association, the Newark Chapter of Business Professional Women, and the First United Methodist Church of Newark.