When the Illinois High School Athletic Association banned girls from participating in interscholastic sports (especially basketball) in 1908, the belief that athletic competition would damage girls’ bodies and minds prevailed for 60 years—until Ola Bundy was named administrator for girls’ sports in Illinois.

Ola Bundy’s story is an important one that I only became aware of this year, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX. According to this tribute:

“… former IHSA executive director Dave Fry told the reporter, ‘There is nobody in the nation who has poured her heart and soul more into the development of interscholastic programs that have the interest of the greatest number of girls than Ola Bundy. There have been a lot of battles fought and Ola had spearheaded that … not just to create opportunities, but to protect those opportunities.’”

Last month, as over 40 women who blazed the trail for girls’ sports at my high school gathered to be recognized, we recalled the benefits we got from playing and how much fun we had. At the time, none of us thought about what had to happen behind the scenes to get us on the court. We heard there was going to be a team, and those who wanted to play signed up and began learning.  

The people who did understand the challenges were the coaches and administrators who had to persuade, insist, or demand that girls’ teams be provided with equipment, uniforms, and gym time.

And while hundreds who supported girls’ sports did what they had to do in school districts across the state, Ola Bundy made sure those girls would get to play in state tournaments, just like the boys. Thanks to her leadership and perseverance, state championships for these girls’ sports became sanctioned in Illinois:

1972 – Tennis

1973 – Bowling

1973 – Track & Field

1975 – Field Hockey

1975 – Golf

1975 – Swimming & Diving

1975 – Volleyball

1976 – Archery

1976 – Softball 

1977 – Badminton

1977 – Basketball

1977 - Gymnastics

1979 – Cross Country

1988 – Soccer

According to the Illinois High School Association mission, the

Opportunity for boys and girls to represent their school and community as they participate in interscholastic activities is a privilege unique to young people in American education. Why? Because educators across the USA believe that participation in interscholastic activities offers students significant lifetime learning experiences that cannot be duplicated in any other instructional setting.

There is indeed something special about playing for one’s school and community. Just ask the women in this photo.

Thank you, Rose!

Read more about Ola Bundy