Social roundup: How the sports world celebrated the 45th anniversary of Title IX

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.

It’s been 45 years since Title IX forever changed the collegiate landscape. The 37 words above made it possible for women around the country to realize their dreams, on the playing field and in the classroom.

Big East commissioner Val Ackerman had this to say in a story from USA Today, and it seems to sum up best the impact of Title IX, as it extends beyond athletics.

"“The benefits will be in what happens after the playing days are over, namely more women in leadership positions in our society,” Big East commissioner and former WNBA president Val Ackerman wrote in an email. “Whether doctors, lawyers, engineers, CEOs, senators, university presidents, tech titans — the pathways for women will keep easing because sports can pave the way.”"

Yes, we still have a long way to go to weed out discrimination, quiet the trolls, and give women’s sports the spotlight it deserves. But there’s no denying the progress we’ve made — and in athletics, perhaps nowhere more than in basketball.

On a day to celebrate how far we’ve come, the sports world stopped to pay tribute to the legislation that played such a critical role.

Here are the highlights: