Women's History Month: Brittney Griner, NFL coaches and more ways women have made history in sports
The landmark legislation of Title IX paved the way for the last 50 years of women’s participation and growth in college and professional sports. And as the calendar year flips to March, National Women's Month, we celebrate trailblazers that continue to forge a new path for the next generation of girls.
In the past year, Lori Locust became the Tennessee Titan's first full-time female coach. An all-women crew called a men's World Cup match for the first time in FIFA history. Sandra Douglass Morgan became the president of the Las Vegas Raiders, the first Black woman to run an NFL team. An 11-year-old snowboarder became the youngest to not only compete in a Winter Dew Tour, but the youngest to ever place.
The list goes on.
"Some people say you have to have an example to do it, I didn't think that way," Connie Carberg, the first official woman scout in the NFL, told USA TODAY Sports.
Title IX aimed to get women into grad schools. Over 50 years, it shaped role in sports.
QUEENS OF COURT: Black women tennis pioneers paved way for modern superstars
1971 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP: Venus and Serena Williams to produce documentary
EQUAL PAY: $24 million settlement in USWNT's lawsuit gets preliminary approval by federal judge
In honor of National Women's Month observed in March, we've complied a list of women making a splash in the sports world, from athletes, to executives and staff.
Brittney Griner returns to the WNBA after detainment
The seven-time All-Star re-signed with the Phoenix Mercury last month. She will return for her 10th season in the WNBA, all of which have been in Phoenix, after she missed last year because of a 10-month detainment in Russia.
Griner will make her return to the court May 19 when the Mercury kick off their season against the Sparks in Los Angeles.
BRITTNEY GRINER re-signs with the Phoenix Suns, securing 2023 WNBA return
Patti Zhou, youngest ever to compete at Winter Dew Tour, earns silver
The 11-year-old snowboarder finished second in the Dew Tour women’s snowboard superpipe event Sunday in Copper Mountain, Colorado, becoming the youngest athlete to ever land on a winter Dew Tour podium and the second-youngest ever at any Dew Tour event.
MORE: 11-year-old Patti Zhou makes history on Dew Tour. What to know about the snowboard sensation
Carolyn Kindle leads historic MLS ownership group
St. Louis CITY SC made its professional debut in MLS earlier this month, led by Carolyn Kindle and her cohort, which make up the the league’s first women-led ownership group.
"Making money is great, but think of the influence you have on young girls who see you can work for a team even if you’re not an athlete," Kindle said.
MORE: How Carolyn Kindle went from soccer novice to the face of historic MLS ownership group
All-female crew conducts military flyover over Super Bowl 57
Four female pilots orchestrated the diamond formation — a tribute to 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy — prior to Super Bowl 57's traditional pregame military flyover in Glendale, Arizona last month.
"Thinking of all the little kids looking up to this team of all-women aviators who conducted the flyover at the Super Bowl tonight," first lady Jill Biden wrote on Instagram.
SUPER BOWL 57 features first all-female military flyover
Lori Locust named Tennessee Titans' first full-time female coach
Locust joined Mike Vrabel's staff last month as an assistant defensive coach, the first full-time woman coach in franchise history. She was previously a defensive line assistant on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff. In 2020, Locust and director of rehabilitation and performance coach Maral Javadifar became the first women coaches in the NFL to win a championship when the Buccaneers captured Super Bowl 55.
TENNESSEE TITANS hire Lori Locust as defensive assistant, franchise's first full-time female coach
All-women crew officiated men's World Cup match for first time in FIFA history
The trio of Stephanie Frappart (France), Neuza Back (Brazil) and Karen Diaz (Mexico) officiated a Germany-Costa Rica match during the 2022 World Cup in December, becoming the first all-woman crew to a men's match in the tournament.
Six women referees took part in the tournament in Qatar.
2022 WORLD CUP: Frappart becomes the first woman to officiate a men's World Cup
MORE: FIFA names first all-women officiating crew for a men's World Cup match
High school girl scores two TDs in one game: 'No idea that was such a big deal'
Bella Rasmussen, a teen running back on the Laguna Beach (California) High School varsity football team, became the first girl to score two touchdowns in a game. She completed the feat in the Breaker's 48-0 win over Santa Ana Godinez on Oct. 14.
Rasmussen went on to become the first female high school player to sign an NIL deal.
MORE: High school senior Bella Rasmussen becomes first girl to score two touchdowns in one game
Sandra Douglass Morgan: 'This appointment is historic'
Douglass Morgan was named the Raiders' team president in July, becoming the first black female to run an NFL team. She's only the third woman and third Black person to hold the position.
“Understanding that my position here with the Raiders might hopefully inspire others, it’s very humbling," she said. "It’s also one of the proudest moments of my life.”
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: President Sandra Douglass Morgan is the first Black woman to run an NFL team
Connie Carberg was the first woman NFL scout
Carberg made history in 1976 when she became the first official woman scout in the NFL, working for the New York Jets. She made an impact for the Jets by scouting a lesser-known defensive lineman from East Central University named Mark Gastineau. The Jets selected Gastineau in the second round of the 1979 draft and he went on to become the franchise's sack leader as a member of the "New York Sack Exchange."
Q&A: First woman NFL scout saw industry, women’s rights evolve after joining Jets in 1970s
Contributing: USA TODAY Staff
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Women's History Month: Brittney Griner highlights trailblazers
