West Virginia Universitys Center for Womens Studies is paying tribute to the WVU coaches who were in the trenches when Title IX became the law of the land in 1972.

Title IX: Pioneer Women Coaches at WVU is the name of the panel discussion that will be presented from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Erickson Alumni Center.

Title IX was the first federal law to prohibit gender discrimination against students and employees at colleges and universities. It took in everything from health and insurance benefits to housing, admissions and financial aidand it made its name in on the playing field, opening avenues of opportunity for women athletes.

The moderator will be Terri Howes, associate athletic director for sports development and senior womens administrator. Speakers are Martha Thorn, former womens tennis coach; Kittie Blakemore, former faculty member and womens basketball coach; Linda Burdette, womens gymnastics coach and assistant professor of physical education; and Donna Henderson, first womens swimming coach. Barbara Howe, director of Womens Studies at WVU , will provide summary comments for the Title IX presentation.

WVU s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences is sponsoring the panel with the center as part of this years 75 anniversary of the School of Physical Education.

The panel is part of a series of events for the fall semester offered by the Center for Womens Studies. All activities are free and made possible by contributions to the WUV Womens Studies Development Fund.

Visitwww.wvu.edu/~wmst/calendar.htmfor a schedule. For reminders and updates, send your e-mail address to wmst@mail.as.wvu.edu .

For more information on the Title IX talk, contact Howe at barbara.howe@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-2339 ext. 1155.