51st anniversary of Title IX is celebrated in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Two-time U.S. Olympian Jane Frederick told the crowd at the Santa Barbara Courthouse that before Title IX, she had to literally jump a fence and sneak onto the track at the University of Colorado to practice her sport.

Now the former track and field star Frederick is in the Colorado Athletics Hall of Fame.

Frederick was one of several speakers on hand to celebrate Title IX: the civil rights legislation signed on June 23, 1972 giving girls and women equal access of opportunity including athletics.

Frederick competed in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics for USA Track and Field.

Other speakers included UCSB women's basketball head coach Bonnie Henrickson, former UCSB track and field standout Hope Bender, Santa Barbara City College pioneer Kathy O'Connor who started the school's athletic program for women and Jaylon Letendre who will be an assistant coach for the first-ever girls flag football team at San Marcos High School.

It was a day to celebrate the success of Title IX and to look forward to more progress.