The Changing Face of Women’s Sports at Duke: From Throwing Like a Girl to Competing with the Men

Abstract

This paper sets out to examine what sports looked like for Duke women at different stages in the University’s history: How have administrative attitudes evolved, and what has been the ensuing effect on student involvement? Since the administration sets out the expectations, it establishes the norm for students. I have chosen to analyze four distinct periods in the history of women’s sports and athletics at Duke: the 1930s, the 1950s, the Title IX transition, and today’s Title IX aftermath.