1987 to 1989 – Council of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators

The 80s continued to show a decline of women working in collegiate athletics, but those who were employed showed commitment by gathering together, supporting each other, and advocating for change. As a result, the CCWAA continued to grow and hit record membership numbers while successfully hosting its 10th Annual Fall Forum in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia.

The primary focus for the CCWAA during this time was to create innovative ways to engage members. The CCWAA encouraged members to engage in “more than passive involvement” (CCWAA Newsletter Vol. 5.4). In order to grow, the CCWAA created membership packages that included: five issues of the CCWAA newsletter, invitations to the CCWAA reception at the NCAA National Convention, an invitation to the NCAA Round Table, and the opportunity to be part of the strongest network for women’s administrators in college athletics.

Although the CCWAA did not have any full-time staff during this time, members rallied together and took on the workload to sustain the organization. President Grant acknowledged that during her tenure, the bulk of the CCWAA workload was taken on by her associate athletic director at the University of Iowa, Linda Hackett.

In the words of President Christine Grant:

“Progress in the 1980’s toward equal opportunity was, at best, slow. At institutions not committed to equal opportunity, there was regression. In light of the 1980’s trends it would be understandable if women in intercollegiate athletics were ready to throw in the towel. The reality is that we are not!” (CCWAA Newsletter Vol. 7.1).

The CCWAA saw and believed in its vision and the future of women. “There have been several positive indications that progress will be continued toward equal opportunity for women in sport. In fact, it may well be that the 1987-1988 year will be considered the springboard to a positive and progressive decade for women in sports in the 1990s” (Vol. 7.1).

Major accomplishments during President Christine Grant’s tenure include (CCWAA Newsletters 5.4 and 7.1):

• Held its first annual auction at the 1989 Fall Forum
• CCWAA membership hit a record high 362 in 1989
• Created the following committees: Fall Forum Committee; Sponsorship Committee; Television Committee; Newsletter Committee; Grants Committee; Governance Representation Committee; Enhanced Opportunities Committee; Promotions Committee; Combined Committee of the CCWAA, the WSF, and the NAGWS; and the Coaches’ Liaison Committee
• Began discussing the creation of the Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year Award

The CCWAA continued to recognize Honor Award recipients at the Fall Forum. Click here to view all Honor Award recipients.

Dr. Christine Grant became the first women’s athletic director at the University of Iowa in 1973 and served the Hawkeyes for 27 years. Under her leadership, the program grew to include 12 NCAA Championship sports and won a combined total of 27 Big Ten titles. Grant is widely known for her involvement with gender equity in athletics. She testified before Congress as an expert witness numerous times and served as an advisor for the Civil Rights Title IX Task Force. Grant was a founding member of the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, and she has received many awards and honors such as the Billie Jean King Award presented by the Women’s Sports Foundation, two honorary doctorates, the NCAA President’s Gerald R. Ford Award. In 2006, Grant was inducted into the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame and the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.

Additional news in 1987: The Supreme Court ruled that it is permissible to take sex and race into account in employment decisions even where there is no proven history of discrimination but when evidence of a manifest imbalance exists in the number of women or minorities holding the position in question.

Additional news in 1987: The Census Bureau reported that the average woman earns 68 cents to every dollar earned by a man.