FEW October MTG: Title IX at 49: Looking Back and Moving Forward

Title IX at 49: Looking Back and Moving Forward
Carol Howe-Veenstra and Lori Ulferts

Carol Howe-Veenstra, former Director of Athletics at the College of St. Benedict and Dr. Lori Ulferts, Professor at St. Cloud State University, will present “Title IX at 49: Looking Back and Moving Forward!” on Wednesday October 13th. They will share stories about girls’ sport history, explore Title IX myths and discuss the value of sport for women.

Title IX states “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.” Although the law encompasses all aspects of the educational system, it is most known for its impact in the sports arena. Before Title IX, one in 27 girls played sports. Today that number is two in five.

Howe-Veenstra, a graduate of MN State University Moorhead (MSUM), taught physical education at St. Cloud Tech High School and coached volleyball and track and field. She received her master’s degree in physical education from St. Cloud State. In 1985, Howe-Veenstra began a 30-year career at the College of St. Benedict which included 15 seasons as the volleyball coach and 28 years as the director of athletics. Howe-Veenstra is a member of several Halls of Fame including the MN Volleyball Coaches Association, Tech High School, MSUM, and CSB. She is currently retired.

Ulferts, originally of Minnesota, received her bachelor and doctorate degrees from the University of North Dakota (UND), where she also lettered in four collegiate sports. She has a master’s degree from Frostburg State University in Maryland, and she coached basketball and volleyball at the University of Minnesota-Crookston (UMC). Ulferts also coached basketball at Minnesota State University-Moorhead (MSUM) for five years and St. Cloud State for 14 years. She is a Hall of Fame member of UMC, Frostburg, MSUM, and UND. Ulferts is currently a Professor in the Kinesiology Department at St. Cloud State University.