University of Kentucky unveiling Top 50 female athletes of Title IX era

The University of Kentucky has compiled a list of exceptional female athletes to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX. The team of Wildcats will consist of 50 student-athletes from 1972 through the 2021-22 season.

A panel compiled of former coaches, administrators, and UK Athletics Hall of Fame members selected the prestigious list. Qualifications consisted of not only athletic achievement but also of importance to their team and individual accomplishments during their time at Kentucky.

UK will continue celebrating the Title IX initiative with events alongside the Top 50, including commemorative events and experiences, multimedia coverage, and community activations. Kentucky kicked off its celebration of Title IX’s 50th anniversary by honoring all current female athletes on February 2nd at Rupp Arena for National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

The honorees, who have been named in no particular order, have included female athletes from a variety of UK’s varsity teams.

Some notable names so far include women’s basketball standout A’Dia Mathies, track superstar and Olympian Sydney McLaughlin, and eight-time gymnastics national champion Jenny Hansen.

A'dia Mathies HAS to be in the #UKTop50 for all she did with @KentuckyWBB!

She was a 2-time finalist for the Wooden Award and the Naismith Trophy, and she helped the Cats claim an SEC regular season title for the first time in 30 years 🏀⬇ pic.twitter.com/G8ARUev1Re

— BBN Tonight (@BBNTonight) June 16, 2022

How good is Sydney McLaughlin?! In 2017, she became the youngest American track Olympian since 1976, and she's only gotten better since then!@GoSydGo was a no-brainer for the #UKTop50 – just listen to these accomplishments from her time with @KentuckyTrack 🤯⬇ pic.twitter.com/6tR5d8owcr

— BBN Tonight (@BBNTonight) June 15, 2022

One of the most distinguished gymnasts in NCAA history… OF COURSE Jenny Hansen belongs in the #UKTop50

Hansen won 8️⃣ individual titles at NCAA Championships, 4️⃣ in 1995 alone. In 2006 she was named the NCAA's "Most Outstanding Gymnast in the Past 25 Years"

MORE 🤸‍♀️⬇ pic.twitter.com/LOjZu9MS4W

— BBN Tonight (@BBNTonight) June 10, 2022

Five recipients will be named each night on WLEX’s BBN Tonight until all 50 have been revealed. They will continue to be honored until June 23rd, which marks the signing of Title IX by then US President Richard Nixon.

Throughout the remainder of 2022, UK plans to continue to honor women in sports by promoting access and opportunity to its female athletes.