On June 23, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon signed Title IX into law. It states:

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

Several key moments have influenced women’s sports at Colorado College starting with a “Shower in Protest” by female students in 1973 demanding locker room space for women in El Pomar Sports Center. Other historical moments include:

• Laura Golden served as women’s basketball coach (1975-81) and co-director of athletics.
• Susan Ashley was the first female faculty athletic representative (1989).
• Julie Soriero served as the first female director of athletics (2000-01 interim; full time 2003-07).
• Women’s soccer became a varsity sport in 1978.
• Vice President/Director of Athletics Lesley Irvine (since 2019) has brought a championship culture to Colorado College.