Featuring
Dr. Donna Lopiano,
President of Sports Management Resources and Former CEO of the Women's Sports Foundation

Back in 1972, when the landmark Title IX legislation (renamed in 2002 the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act) that banned sex discrimination in schools was passed, only one in 27 high school girls played varsity sports. Today, that number is one in 2.5. Back in 1972, less than 300,000 girls were playing on high school varsity teams. Today, that number is more than 3 million. Back in 1972, less than $100,000 nationally was being awarded to women at the collegiate level for scholarships. Today, that figure is $421 million.

A debt of gratitude is owed Title IX champion and pioneer Dr. Donna Lopiano, for her tireless efforts to bring about these changes. So passionate about ensuring girls and young women have the opportunity to participate in sports, Dr. Lopiano believes “their lives depend on it.” Come hear Dr. Lopiano’s keynote address at The Women’s Connection’s February 11 event, entitled “Women, Sports, Life, Business: Lessons from the Playing Field,” to be held at the Radisson Quad City Plaza, Davenport, from noon-1:15 p.m. This event is sponsored by Merrill Lynch The Parkhurst Group.

“While we’ve come a long way, there still is much work to be done,” says Dr. Lopiano, who served for 15 years as CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by tennis great Billie Jean King, and today is President of Sports Management Resources in Connecticut.

A first generation Italian American, Dr. Lopiano grew up in a neighborhood with 15 boys and one girl. “The biggest disaster was being told I couldn’t play Little League Baseball, because that meant I couldn’t pursue my dream to be a pitcher for the New York Yankees,” says Dr. Lopiano. “I don’t think there’s anything worse than a child being told they can’t pursue their dream.”

Encouraged by her parents, Dr. Lopiano used this frustration as a motivator, eventually participating in 26 national championships in four sports, and named a nine time All-American in softball. She served for 18 years as the University of Texas at Austin Director of Athletics for Women, and she has been a college coach of men’s and women’s volleyball, women’s basketball and softball. She also coached the Italian national women’s softball team.

Named one of the “Ten Most Powerful Women in Sports” by Fox Sports and among the “100 Most Influential People in Sports” by The Sporting News, Dr. Lopiano has testified about Title IX and gender equality before three Congressional committees and has consulted with the U.S. Office of Civil Rights Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

Bring your friends, co-workers, daughters, granddaughters and others to The Womens’ Connection’s February 11 event, featuring a keynote by Dr. Donna Lopiano.