SDSU's proud women's basketball program reflecting on 50 years of Title IX on Saturday

Zech Lambert, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
·3 min read

Jan. 27—BROOKINGS — Fifty years later, it's hard to imagine South Dakota State University athletics without a powerhouse women's basketball program.

But without Title IX and the progress in women's sports, the Jacks' program wouldn't be the same, and the current members of the SDSU squad are grateful for how far the program and women's sports has come.

Just over 50 years ago, the United States Congress passed federal civil rights laws that included Title IX, the provision that "prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs," and during the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the Jacks are having yet another standout season and are fresh off a 99-57 win over St. Thomas on Thursday night in Brookings.

The Jackrabbits sit atop the Summit League with a 10-0 mark in conference play and are winners of 13 of their last 14 games, with the lone loss coming to the top-ranked team in the country, South Carolina. And on Saturday, the Jacks are honoring the 50th anniversary of Title IX, hosting Alumni Day and wearing special uniforms to commemorate the 2003 Division II national championship team and the women who have played throughout the 50 seasons.

"It's fun to look back, especially just the history of this program and all the women who came before us who have built the program to where it is today," Myah Selland said. "To be a small part of it, I think, is really special for us."

Over the 50 years, SDSU has won a Division II national championship, and since making the jump to Division I in the 2004-05 season, the Jackrabbits have made 10 NCAA Division I tournaments, made the NCAA Sweet 16, won the WNIT a season ago and have taken down nine Summit League Tournament crowns and eight regular-season Summit League titles.

The history of SDSU women's basketball is rich, and for coach Aaron Johnston, who's been in Brookings since he took over during the 1999-2000 season, that history is not lost on him.

"I really enjoy hearing players that played before I was around, and hearing their stories of what it was like to be an athlete in the 70s or 80s," he said. "We can look back on it and be disappointed, but when those women talk about riding in station wagons and sharing uniforms with other teams and things they had to do to compete and pursue their passion of college athletics. And to see where we're at today, that's tremendous growth and something to be celebrated."

The progress made over the last 50 years hasn't been lost on the players either, and the support the team receives, from both the school and the fans, is something Kallie Theisen said she "couldn't be more thankful" for.

Johnston referenced the crowd at Frost Arena during the Jacks' WNIT run from a season ago, saying the passion from fans in women's basketball is evident. And while the fans' energy is apparent, Johnston said the support from the school has been just as apparent during his time, too.

"Women's athletics at South Dakota State has always been valued and supported," Johnston said. "We're lucky to have people that invest in women's athletics here."