50 Years of Title IX: Cathie Cardoza Conner - Women's Soccer
6/10/2022 11:17:00 AM | Women's Soccer
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of Title IX by the United States Congress. In 1972, Congress passed Title IX as part of that year's education amendments. Written by Representative Patsy Mink, Representative Edith Green and Senator Birch Bayh, the law prohibits sex-based discrimination in all schools receiving federal financial assistance. Although the text of the law makes no reference to athletics, it was later determined to encompass all aspects of a school's operations, including intercollegiate sports programs. One study found that, between the implementation of Title IX and 2006, there had been an almost 500% increase in the number of female collegiate athletes.
Catherine Cardoza Conner was born the same year in which Title IX was passed: 1972. She began playing soccer at age ten with her friend Tisha Venturini, a gold medalist and world champion soccer player.
"I wouldn't have had the opportunities I had if it weren't for female leaders in sports running the show back in the '70s." Catherine talks of how grateful she is for them. "There were a lot of females who did a lot of work so I could be where I was athletically."
Cardoza Conner began her freshman year at Cal Poly in 1990 playing defensive midfield on the soccer team. She also walked onto the tennis team. "It could be a reality, so I went after it." Many of her friends went on to play college soccer as well.
"My generation was just starting to play collegiate sports and it was just becoming popular," says Conner of why she decided ultimately pursue college soccer. Conner was also inspired to pursue a collegiate athletic career by her father who played football at Cal Poly. Her mom and sister also attended Cal Poly. "We eat, breathe, and sleep green and gold."
"A lot of the schools had sports programs for both genders, but Title IX equalized opportunities. For example, with scholarships, facilities and training." Catherine earned a scholarship while playing at Cal Poly.
"My overall experience at Cal Poly was just incredible. So many great memories. Cal Poly really shapes who you become. I became an outdoors person- such as hiking, camping, and trail running."
"The quarter system taught me great time management skills and how to prioritize."
One of Catherine's favorite memories from Cal Poly was making it to the final four in Florida for Division II Soccer. She also recalls being in a hotel room at an away game with her teammates when the referendum to move into Division I sports at Cal Poly was passed in 1994. These teammates she now considers lifelong friends.
Catherine emphasized that Title IX is often only looked at in relation to athletics, but it also touches on all aspects of academics as well. "The passing of Title IX provided women with many opportunities in education. We are students before we are athletes."
As for future student athletes, Conner's advice is to stay involved with their alma matter such as through being a mentor, coming to speak, and going to alumni events. "Stay engaged and connected with the program that gave to you." She now sits on the Cal Poly Athletic Director's Counsel.
Cardoza Conner graduated from Cal Poly in 1994 with a degree in Agricultural Business and minor in Finance. One of her daughters will be transferring to Cal Poly from the University of Minnesota in the fall to play soccer and her other daughter will be playing soccer at Drexel starting in the fall.
Catherine Cardoza Conner was born the same year in which Title IX was passed: 1972. She began playing soccer at age ten with her friend Tisha Venturini, a gold medalist and world champion soccer player.
"I wouldn't have had the opportunities I had if it weren't for female leaders in sports running the show back in the '70s." Catherine talks of how grateful she is for them. "There were a lot of females who did a lot of work so I could be where I was athletically."
Cardoza Conner began her freshman year at Cal Poly in 1990 playing defensive midfield on the soccer team. She also walked onto the tennis team. "It could be a reality, so I went after it." Many of her friends went on to play college soccer as well.
"My generation was just starting to play collegiate sports and it was just becoming popular," says Conner of why she decided ultimately pursue college soccer. Conner was also inspired to pursue a collegiate athletic career by her father who played football at Cal Poly. Her mom and sister also attended Cal Poly. "We eat, breathe, and sleep green and gold."
"A lot of the schools had sports programs for both genders, but Title IX equalized opportunities. For example, with scholarships, facilities and training." Catherine earned a scholarship while playing at Cal Poly.
"My overall experience at Cal Poly was just incredible. So many great memories. Cal Poly really shapes who you become. I became an outdoors person- such as hiking, camping, and trail running."
"The quarter system taught me great time management skills and how to prioritize."
One of Catherine's favorite memories from Cal Poly was making it to the final four in Florida for Division II Soccer. She also recalls being in a hotel room at an away game with her teammates when the referendum to move into Division I sports at Cal Poly was passed in 1994. These teammates she now considers lifelong friends.
Catherine emphasized that Title IX is often only looked at in relation to athletics, but it also touches on all aspects of academics as well. "The passing of Title IX provided women with many opportunities in education. We are students before we are athletes."
As for future student athletes, Conner's advice is to stay involved with their alma matter such as through being a mentor, coming to speak, and going to alumni events. "Stay engaged and connected with the program that gave to you." She now sits on the Cal Poly Athletic Director's Counsel.
Cardoza Conner graduated from Cal Poly in 1994 with a degree in Agricultural Business and minor in Finance. One of her daughters will be transferring to Cal Poly from the University of Minnesota in the fall to play soccer and her other daughter will be playing soccer at Drexel starting in the fall.
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