Team Tampa Bay's Take with Joey Johnston: Tampa Bay Celebrates 50 Years of Title IX

By Joey Johnston

Jane Castor wasn’t yet a teenager when Title IX was signed into law. She grew up playing sports and already was discovering how they helped to build confidence and forge relationships.

“I tell everyone that I learned my life skills on the courts and the ballfields,’’ Castor said. “I think sports opened every door for me.’’

She became a notable athlete at Chamberlain High School during the infancy of girls sports in Hillsborough County. She earned a scholarship to the University of Tampa, where her basketball and volleyball skills ultimately put her in the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Sports taught Castor that lofty goals could be accomplished and she could become whatever she dreamed.

Even the mayor of Tampa.

Castor will break from her normal City Hall duties on Thursday night at Amalie Arena to deliver the keynote speech as the Tampa Bay Sports Commission teams with ESPN, Charter Communications and the Tampa Bay Lightning to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the landmark legislation that opened the door for girls and women’s sports.

The public is invited to the free event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6). Following Castor’s remarks, ESPN will introduce its Fifty/50 initiative and show a preview of its four-part documentary series “37 Words,’’ which examines the triumphs and difficulties encountered by girls and women’s sports.

Following the film preview, ESPN analyst Michele Smith, a legendary softball player and U.S. Olympic gold medalist, will lead a panel discussion with three athletic trailblazers — USF sophomore track and field athlete Shaniya Benjamin (a four-time All-American), National Hockey League senior executive vice president Kimberly Davis and four-time Team USA Paralympian Sue Moucha.

They will discuss the impact of Title IX on their athletic lives and careers, along with what the future of women’s sports could hold.

TBSC vice president of events Claire Lessinger, a former college volleyball athlete and coach, said the night will also feature a local flavor. As part of its Beyond Series (this time “Beyond Barriers’’), the TBSC’s has presented 25 Title IX Trailblazers and honored them throughout the month on the organization’s Web site. Many of them are expected to be present and recognized.

Lessinger said Tampa was one of four cities selected — along with New York, Los Angeles and Dallas — to host ESPN’s Title IX celebration events.

“My hope is that we educate the audience by providing the historical background from the civil rights era to the current intersection of sports and culture,’’ Lessinger said. “I hope the shared stories and preview screening of ’37 Words’ is thought-provoking and inspiring and drives the audience to watch the rest of the docu-series.

“I also hope this program is motivational for the next generation … helping young girls to dream big and continue to fight.’’

For Benjamin, the youngest panelist, her dreams have been real. She was a record-setting performer at Alonso High School. When Erik Jenkins was hired as USF’s track and field coach, one of his first stops was to Benjamin’s school, where he quickly offered a full scholarship.

Now Benjamin dreams of gold medals and possibly earning a living at the sport she loves.

Castor, a child of Title IX who witnessed the evolution of athletic opportunities, can relate to that passion.

“Sports gave me the opportunity of a lifetime,’’ Castor said. “I didn’t encounter a great deal of discrimination. Oh, I think we got some pushback from some of the male coaches. But they were forced to let the girls play, so for the most part, they did just that and stayed out of our way.

“I always said the only thing boys wanted from me in high school was my letter sweater. I had more (athletic recognition) on my sweater than anybody else. I was pretty much accepted and I think I got (respect). That’s all we ever asked for. And I think that’s still the case today.’’