2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX. The federal civil rights law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any school that receives federal funding.
As part of that coverage, a new SDPB documentary is examining the ways girls' involvement in sports had changed in South Dakota since Title IX's passage. Here's the story of Pierre's Brianna Kusler, the first woman to head coach a high school boy's AA basketball team in South Dakota.
Girls Got Game Premieres May 12
In June of 1972, Congress enacted the Educational Amendment known as Title IX. This civil rights law “prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or other education program that receives funding from the federal government.” Before Title IX, few opportunities existed for female athletes. Title IX paved the way for high school girls’ and college women’s sports and activities to take off nationally – including right here in South Dakota.
In Girls Got Game, SDPB explores the sports of basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and more, and examines how girls’ athletics have grown and evolved in the Mt. Rushmore state since the passage of Title IX. SDPB speaks with Ruth Rein, Jo Auch, Jill Christensen, Lolly Forseth, and others who were involved in the early history and evolution of women’s athletics in the state. Produced by Nate Wek.
Watch Girls Got Game Thursday, May 12 at 8pm Central, 7 Mountain on SDPB-TV.
