University of Idaho Athletics

On June 23, 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Richard Nixon, prohibiting sex discrimination in educational programs or activities that receive federal funding. 

The law initially focused on academic programming, but women in athletics saw the new law as an opportunity to stand on equal ground with men.  On the 50th anniversary of this landmark legislation, the University of Idaho is excited to celebrate the women who have made an incredible impact on Vandal Athletics and the university as a whole. 

Idaho Athletics and the University of Idaho  are pleased to partner in this year-long celebration. The year will include special events, education, celebration of women’s athletes, administrators and coaches throughout our history and limited-edition apparel from the Vandalstore.

History of Title IX at Idaho

While the law was passed in 1972, Athletic departments around the country were slow to take action, but Idaho moved to make the jump into women's athletics. In 1974 and the university hired Kathy Clark as the Head of the Women's Athletic Program. 

In 1974-75, Idaho offered four partial athletic scholarships to women. In 1975-76, the Vandals began offering scholarships in eight sports: basketball, bowling, field hockey, swimming, gymnastics, tennis, volleyball and track and field/cross country. 

The teams participated in the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Division II and saw early success. The inaugural field hockey team went 16-6-1 on the season and the Vandal bowlers finished eighth in the nation in 1976. The 1979-80 women's basketball team, under Hall of Fame coach Tara Vanderveer, finished 25-6 and advanced to the AIAW national tournament. The 1981 women's cross country team finished fourth at the AIAW DII Championship and Patsy Sharples won the individual national championship. 

Moscow also proved to be a great host city, picking up hosting rights for conference, regional and national championships. 

In 1978, the administration of women's athletics moved from the PE department to the athletic department and Clark was named the Assistant AD for Women's Programs. 

Idaho joined the NCAA and was a founding member of the Mountain West Conference in 1982 before uniting with the Idaho men in the Big Sky Conference in 1988. Idaho eventually competed in the Big West (1996-2005) and the WAC (2005-2014) before returning to the Big Sky ahead of the 2014-15 season. 

The initial eight sports have changed as well. Bowling, field hockey and gymnastics were dropped after the move to NCAA and golf and soccer were added to better fit regional sports. Golf was added in 1992 and soccer was added in 1998. 

Throughout the last 50 years, thousands of female student-athletes have competed for the Vandals. Team and individual championships have been crowned and lives have been changed. 

In 2019, Terry Gawlik was named the Director of Athletics, the first woman in to hold the post in Idaho history. 

Joe & Jane Vandal Logo

In August 1978, the University of Idaho launched a new logo featuring the profile of both a male and female Vandal, affectionally known by many as the Joe & Jane Vandal logo.  The logo, developed to represent inclusivity and equity for all Vandals, was designed by University of Idaho Publications Creative Director Leo Ames.  Ames was quoted as saying “They were not merely, the male warriors, but also the women, who sustained, maintained, and continued.”  He wanted to preserve the Vandal identity already on campus.  “A good symbol should have on dominant, simple message, here a duality of male and female in equal proportions – man/woman athletics.”

The Joe & Jane Vandal logo served as the primary athletics mark at the University through 1998, when the first rendition of the I-Vandal logo was introduced. 

In celebration of 50 years of Title IX, the University of Idaho is thrilled to announce that UI will officially bring back the Joe & Jane Vandal logo for the 2022-23 academic year, utilizing the mark on some team uniforms, merchandise, promotional materials, and other select mediums.  It will not replace any of the current primary marks, but instead serve as a special secondary mark and utilized in special opportunities throughout the year.

University of Idaho Women's Center

In conjunction with Title IX, the University of Idaho’s Women’s Center was launched in 1972, and serves to promote and advocate for gender equity on campus and in the community. The Women’s Center facilitates opportunities for learning and activism to support and empower all individuals in building an inclusive and compassionate society.

Click here for more information on the University of Idaho Women’s Center