1989 to 1991 – Council of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators

President Kaye Hart spent her term dedicated to “identifying and mentoring women towards rewarding and successful careers in coaching and athletic administration” (CCWAA Newsletter Vol. 7.3).

In the words of Hart: “I truly believe the negative trends regarding the number of women in athletic careers and the quality of their careers can be reversed for the best. … Complete equity is the goal – one that is right and fair, and one that I hope we will be able to be thankful for in the near future” (Vol. 7.3).

As the CCWAA grew in numbers and stature, the board believed a name change was needed in order to build a larger, more inclusive, national audience.

On July 1, 1991, after much research and discussion, the CCWAA officially changed its name to the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA) (Vol 8.3). The new name was unanimously approved at a special business meeting called at the 1991 NCAA Convention.

“The decision to seek approval for a name change came along in the same breath as our decision to take a long, hard look at the future of this organization and do some long-range planning,” said Hart. “The choice of NACWAA will help promote our refreshed image.”

Other major accomplishments from CCWAA/NACWAA during this time frame (CCWAA Newsletters 7.2 & 7.6, NACWAA Newsletter 9.1):

• The CCWAA and Dial Corporation announced an agreement to co-sponsor the CCWAA Awards Program
• Acosta and Carpenter were honored at the Fall Forum Awards Luncheon for pioneering research on the status of women in sport
• Highlights: record-high membership (325), Fall Forum attendance growth, improved national visibility, stronger legislative impact, expanded awards programs, new name and refreshed image, instigation of long-range goals, and a revised focus on gender equity

In 1991, NACWAA created the Administrator of the Year Award, which recognizes members for their significant contributions made as an administrator of intercollegiate athletics. The first National Administrator of the Year Award district winners were Jeanne Rowlands, Northeastern University; Janice Shelton, Tennessee State University; Judith M. Sweet, University of California at San Diego; Charlotte West, Illinois University at Carbondale; Judith Kruckman, Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference; and Donna A. Lopiano, University of Texas, Austin.

Women Leaders in College Sports is committed to recognizing the achievements and successes of administrators working in athletics. Click here to view all Women Leaders in College Sports award winners.

Dr. Elizabeth Kaye Hart served a total of 33 years in teaching, coaching, and administrating at the collegiate level. She began her career as the athletic director of women’s sports at Southern Utah University before becoming an assistant athletic director and head women’s basketball coach at Midwestern College. While at Midwestern, Hart awarded scholarships to female student-athletes. This groundbreaking endeavor led to the creation of the first AIAW athletic scholarships for women. As an advocate for gender equity, Kaye’s leadership directly contributed to the passage of Title IX in 1972.

Kaye made stops at New Mexico State, Tennessee, Temple, and Utah State before becoming the first female Director of Athletics at Austin Peay State University which was also a first for the Ohio Valley Conference.

The inaugural Women’s World Cup kicked off in 1991, which was 61 years after the first men’s world cup. Due to issues giving up the men’s World Cup brand title, the Women’s World Cup was dubbed the “1st FIFA World Championship for Women’s Football for the M&M’s Cup.” The Championship featured a 65,000 person audience in Guangdong, China.

The game ran for 80 minutes, as opposed to the normal 90 minutes for men.

“They were afraid our ovaries were going to fall out if we played 90 minutes!” 

–  April Heinreichs, Captain of the United States women’s team

Additional news in 1990:

Bernadette Mattox put her name in the record books as the first woman to serve as a Division l men’s basketball coach as she began a four-year stint at the University of Kentucky under head coach Rick Pitino.