It was a pact we hoped would reverberate across the women's basketball landscape. We would commit to playing each other every year, alternating the games between Austin and Knoxville, Tenn. Retha Swindell and Cathy Self-Morgan, pioneer players for Texas womens basketball, describe Page as a driven but fair man who cared about his players. The Tower Amendment not only failed, but ultimately led to specific guidelines for the sports component of Title IX, that scholarship and participation numbers for mens and womens sports must reflect the student body percentages at each school. Then the coaches at Tennessee and Texas, Pat Summitt, left, and Jody Conradt alternated annual games between home courts starting in 1982 in a successful attempt to expand the popularity of women's basketball. Find more sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here. Being a teacher or, if I went to Brownwood, I might see a nurse.. Jody Conradts childhood revolved around community, family, friends and sports in the small West Texas town of Goldthwaite. When he came to Texas in 1996, the upper Midwesttransplant wouldn't have imagined heading a program that would give him four state championships. Thats how it was in those days, Conradt says. In 1975, Texas, in response to Title IX, hired as the first director of its recently created womens athletic department a brusque, audacious 29-year-old visionary, Donna Lopiano. Always improving. It eventually became bigger than both of our respective UTs. I didnt have the big picture in mind. He has two daughters in college. What a state takeover of HISD could mean for parents, students, Houston ISD to face TEA state takeover, Turner says, In Fertitta's members-only club, where photos, media are banned, Study: Low-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack, stroke risk, 750-home agrihood with farm, car-free zones breaks ground, HCC chancellor to leave role at end of contract, Popular breakfast taco spot in Houston announces a comeback, Opinion: 'Dilbert' readers can discern the wheat from the chaff, Second-half goal lifts Bush boys past district foe George Ranch, Loss to TCU sinks Texas' hopes of playing for Big 12 championship. No doubt prodded by the specter of Title IX, Texas in 1975 hired Lopiano. 1000 Hall of Fame AvenueSpringfield, Massachusetts 01105. She reminded me: "It's for our game." Currently, it features two key components: Jody Conradt Opportunity Fund All of the funding for womens sports came from the university presidents office. Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the games elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. I did exactly what I was supposed to do, Lopiano says. Rice. Career Record (major schools): 25 Years, 585-205, .741 W-L% School: Texas (585-205) Two years after relinquishing the AD role, Conradt coached Texas to the 2003 Final Four. By 2016, the ratio was 2 of every 5 girls. Its more welcoming, considerably more diverse.. Two days after his removal, Conradt was hired by Lopiano. One of my fondest memories was when she came to Austin to speak at my statue ceremony in 2012. 1 of 4. As only the second woman ever inducted into the Springfield, Mass., Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998, Conradt is known as a pioneer, but also a durable, dynamic and ethical leader who gave credibility towomens collegiate basketballduring 31years as head coach with the Longhorns. When Texas director of womens athletics Christine Plonsky invited Page two weeks to return for Sundays celebration, it was the first time anyone from the university had notified him in 40 years. Page lived in a one-bedroom off-campus apartment and walked to work. Her love was basketball. According to Page, Lopiano made the move to bring in someone who could coach two sports basketball and volleyball. That's one of the reasons it will be so difficult to fathom a basketball season without Pat Summitt. Oops. jbyoungblood@austin.utexas.edu. We were just trying to provide opportunities for young women.. Her love was basketball. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame Museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Joe Youngblood When President Richard Nixon signed the Education Amendments into law on June 23, 1972, the purpose of Title IX was to update Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which banned some forms of employment discrimination but did not address educational discrimination. All the coaches she had or knew of were men, including her seventh grade coach and next-door neighbor Ray Akins, who would go on to become one of the states most legendary football coaches. WebJ ody Conradt, the powerhouse women's basketball coach at the University of Texas -Austin (UT), has won more college women's basketball games than any other coach in Texas already has statues honoring former football coach Darrell Royal and Heisman Trophy winners Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams outside the football stadium. Title IX was not written with sports in mind and makes no mention of them. The University of Texas is a better institution of higher learning. Increased paths for women athletes and women in general would be forged, but, at Texas, Lopiano knew where to start. While all attempts are made to ensure the correctness and suitability of information under our control and to correct any errors brought to our attention, no representation or guarantee can be made as to the accessibility, correctness or suitability of information provided by any hyperlinked site or any other linked information accessed through the Basketball Hall of Fame website but not under its control. On the morning she was to depart for Washington, D.C., Lopiano got a phone call from second-year UT President Lorene Rogers, the first and still only female president in the schools history. College athletics and college educations change their lives for the positive, allowing them to achieve careers and abilities to raise their families long after playing days end. Jody Conradt Project for Women's Health and Wellness Research Conradt, 71, who coached at UT from 1976 to 2007 and won the 1986 national title, will become the second female to have a statue on UT's campus, joining congresswoman and civil rights leader Barbara Jordan. 10 Irish lose top scorer Miles to knee injury. "Woman Earns Man-Size Salary: $17,000.". It was also said that Swoopes asked Texas coach Jody Conradt for a transfer because she had been inappropriately approached sexually by a female In 38 years as a collegiate head coach, Conradts players won 900 games. Jody Conradt, after her 900th coaching victory, has seen the impact of Title IX grow and continue. Ultimately she agreed to be the athletic director, but only if she was allowed to keep coach. She was 45 years old. There was a connection, a camaraderie, a feeling that we were all in this together and weve got to make do. And of the schools 62 overall national titles, exactly half have been won by womens teams, all since 1981. Tough, demanding and relentless. Conradt has been the But that wasn't all she was. Coaching? "Even though Jody was a fierce competitor on the court, she was a true friend to me off the court as well. Always thinking. Conradt's classroom eventually became a multipurpose arena at her beloved University of Texas, after serving as women's basketball coach at Sam Houston State (1969-73) and coach/women's athletics director at UT-Arlington (1973-76). He coached the womens basketball team in the pre-Jody Conradt Era 1973 to 1976 at fabled Gregory Gym. All Ive ever known was to rise up and move forward, no matter what the challenge may be, no matter the difficulty or pain.. He considers it an honor to be the universitys first black head coach, but the journey was not always easy. Moving forward as an individual to support the greater good of a team. And let's face it, that's pretty big. No one is more proud of those facts than Goldthwaites Addie Jo Conradt, whose 7-foot bronze statue appropriately stands in the UT athletics Hall of Fame next to, and just as tall, as that of Darrell K Royal. Armed with those traits, a graceful, compassionate style, Texas-sharp wit and (Editor's note: This is the fifth in a series of feature profiles on this year's Hall of Fame and Wall of Honor selections that will be posted every Thursday, leading up to the Nov. 22 Hall of Fame banquet.). Title IX changed all of that and also created advancement and access opportunities for talented, motivated and elite female student-athletes to derive the same benefits as their male counterparts from quality coaching, demanding training, teamwork, competition and a college education. Clearly, for us, it wasn't about the money. Doors will open at 8:00 AM. The statue will be unveiled at an invitation-only ceremony Friday. A 38-year womens college basketball coaching career closed in March 2007, but The University of Texas has allowed me to remain active as a special assistant in administration to our energetic and passionate VP and athletics director Chris Del Conte. The first time I caught a glimpse of Pat Head's fiery competitive spirit wasn't at the scorer's table to shake hands after our two UT teams had battled against one another on the hardwood. Perhaps nowhere was that concern more heightened than at Texas, which had won national football championships in 1963, 1969 and 1970 under coach Darrell Royal, who since 1962 had doubled as the schools athletic director. They saw her photo on the wall of heralded players. Former Texas coach Jody Conradt led the Longhorns to the 1986 NCAA title and a perfect 34-0 season. I realized that was a way for me to teach and be a part of sports, as opposed to being in a classroom, she says. Flanked by about 20 family members including wife Sheila, his spouse of 39 years, Page waved at the appreciative crowd, his eyes glistening from the spotlight aimed at center court. Open Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 4pm, Closed Monday, The Basketball Hall of Fame All-America Team, The Mannie Jackson - Basketball Human Spirit Award(s), The Morgan Wootten Lifetime Achievement Award, The John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award, Glenn Roberts and The Genesis of The Jump Shot, Wayland Baptist Flying Queens of 1948-1982, Basketball Hall of Fame Golf Classic at Monarch Beach Golf Links Hosted by Jerry West, MGM Springfield Hall of Fame Golf Classic, 2016 Karl Malone Award Watch List Narrowed to Ten Finalists, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Names Steiner Sports as Licensing Agent, Schedule and Match-Ups Announced for Boca Raton Beach Classic. Sport is this extraordinary developmental thing that has shaped men forever to be real players in the game of corporate America, or be successful in whatever they choose to do, she says. It was a labor of love., Page has spent the majority of his life educating young people. Our conversations about the women's game started years before our teams faced one another. Armed with those traits, a graceful, compassionate style, Texas-sharp wit and humor, and a desire to bring education and sport opportunities to young women, Conradt emerged as a visionary leader for womens college basketball and womens sports administration. Victimhood is not in my DNA. On Friday, Texas unveiled a 7-foot bronze statue to honor Conradt's role in that fight, her 900 career victories and her 1986 national championship team, the first in the sport to go undefeated. Scholarships for women athletes were virtually nonexistent. Jody Conradt, former head coach of the University of Texas womens basketball team, is hailed as the one of the winningest coaches in college womens history. Conradt coached Texas from 1976 to 2007, and finished with a career record of 900-307. Brad Townsend, Sports enterprise reporter, Mavericks and NBA.. Dallas Morning News sports reporter since 1993. When she tried to register for second-semester teaching courses, a bar had been placed on her record. Seven-time APSE award winner; 2016 National Headliner Award; 2018 Celeste Williams Texas Sportswriter of the Year; 2021 NSMA Texas Sportswriter of the Year. It did not establish a womens athletic department until 1973 or formalize womens varsity sports until the 1973-74 school year. No, Im just going to tell you how to keep your job.. One of Conradts most vivid memories is of an AIAW regional basketball tournament in Magnolia, Ark. WebJody Conradt Project for Women's Health and Wellness Research Through the College of Education, this project reflects issues that affect women locally, nationally and globally, Since her retirement from coaching following the 2006-07 season, shehascontinuedto serve the University as a special assistantinTexas Athletics. Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level. Solomon: DeMeco Ryans the right coach at the right time, 3 pressing questions facing new Astros GM Dana Brown, Jabari Smith Jr. growing up in NBA with an assist from his father, Poor parent behavior is driving high school sports refs away. Her first college head coaching job was overseeing basketball and volleyball at Sam Houston State from 1969 to 1973. Early spring success has Texas filling fans with hope, John Harrell resigns as Rockwall-Heath football coach after workout was investigated, UNT lands highly-regarded Lake Highlands junior point guard Jaylen Washington, PK winners! Afterward, we enjoyed some food and drinks with old coaching buddies at Scholz Garten, the oldest and one of the most beloved sports bars in Austin. WebJody Conradt began her illustrious basketball career as an outstanding player at Goldthwaite High School where she averaged 40 points per game. Her love was basketball. Conradt knew it was just the start of a long, tough fight to lift women's college athletics at Texas and around the country from afterthought to equal footing with the men. Sports was not even contemplated when legislators crafted Title IX language. #1 On Your Birthday And if our two good teams played one another, more people would pay attention. AUSTIN Addie Jo Conradt and her Goldthwaite High basketball teammates didnt realize how good they had it, relatively. WebConradt's classroom eventually became a multipurpose arena at her beloved University of Texas, after serving as women's basketball coach at Sam Houston State (1969-73) and coach/women's athletics director at UT-Arlington (1973-76). Texas unveils statue to honor coach Conradt. Lopiano, on her way out the door at Texas in 1992, initially tried to get several Southwest Conference schools to sue for lack of Title IX compliance. Report: Houston is the No. The owner of roughly 10 scrapbooks and dozens of black-and-white photos of his time at UT, Page should never forget coaching the womens basketball team. There is no more fitting person, and place, to assess the impact of Title IX of 1972s Education Amendments, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program that receives federal funding. ATLANTA (March 10, 2021) Legendary hall of famer Jody Conradt is the recipient of the 2021 Jostens-Berenson Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her Seconds into the conversation, Lopiano realized: Uh-oh. As Conradt ponders Title IXs half-century, several descriptors come to mind pride, exhilaration, progress but she says its effect mostly can be summed in one word. It all started with a lot of blood, sweat and tears, Page said last week from his home in North Austin. She received a phone call from an attorney representing the AIAW, which was fighting the first major resistance to Title IX: The Tower Amendment, introduced in the U.S. Senate in 1974 by Texas Sen. John Tower, seeking to exempt revenue-producing sports from Title IX. Texas officials said Friday the statue will be dedicated in a private ceremony on Oct. 5. Tower and Ed Clark were friends. I had no idea the womens basketball team would blossom into what it has become today.. The AIAW attorney asked Lopiano if she could obtain a copy of Texas mens athletic budget. instructor to Coach Conradt to Texas womens athletic director. At the time of her enshrinement, Conradt had been named National Coach of the Year and Southwest Conference Coach of the Year numerous times. As individuals, we gauge our success by the depth of ongoing, sustained relationships with the student-athletes. Forty years after Title IX became law, Granburys Leta Andrews continues to fight for equity in girls sports, Texas talent: Meet some of the most influential and pioneering female athletes in history, As Title IX turns 50, University of Texas exes reflected on common bond of championships, How pro path for female athletes has changed since Title IX, and where it needs to improve, 50 years of Title IX: Meet the next generation of star female athletes from D-FW, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy addresses philosophical differences between him, Kellen Moore, Ray Davis optimistic, anxious about Rangers season amidst tumultuous TV situation, Cowboys Mike McCarthy has more power, fewer excuses. Conradt had coaching stints at Sam Houston State and Texas-Arlington before taking the Texas job. Chris and his wonderful spouse, Dr. Robin Ward, faculty member at Rice University, daily share the impact higher education has on Gunter, figuring on a longer tournament stay, didnt bring Stephen F. Austin until the day of the second-round game. She is among names such as the late Pat Summitt, Jody Conradt and C. Vivian Stringer. Pat's first salary at Tennessee was approximately $250 a month and included laundry duty for her team. Jody Conradt has reached the pinnacle of athletic success and has been honored by multiple halls of fame. He could not remember the last time hes seen a Texas basketball game. My interest and my passion was to provide opportunities for young women, so that they would have the same kind of experience I had, she says. Most people only saw Pat on the sideline. For me and my fellow administrators and coaches, Title IX impact focus always has been on young people. (512) 475-7085 Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Especially at Texas, Conradt showcased her student-athletes, their speed and athleticism in a fast-breaking, run-and-shoot attack that lifted herteams to enormous popularity. Del Conte is on record as calling Title IX the greatest thing thats ever happened to college athletics, primarily because of the opportunities its created for women, but also due to the 85-scholarship cap that was placed on football, creating more parity in that sport. Jody Conradt. Conradt's tenure at Midway opened the door for her to become the head women's basketball coach at Sam Houston State University in 1969, after finishing her WebSome people have speculated that you were pushed, even though youve said it was your decision. We knew there would be many things we could not control. Coach Conradt said, "That became the defensive philosophy I've always tried to follow." He received an embrace from Conradt. Before camp registration, we toured campus with her three daughters and her mother, showing them where she had studied, stayed in the dorm and played basketball. "Of all the blockbuster statistics that paint the picture of Jody Conradt's storied career, the only number you really need to remember is 99. Yainer Diaz becomes first Astros hitter to violate new MLB rules. The next season, on Dec. 14, 1986, we'd lose to the Lady Vols 85-78 in Austin. The Future Naismith Hall of Famer would finish her tenure with 793 victories, which included UTs lone NCAA championship in 1986. Established by the College of Liberal Arts and the Center for Women and Gender Studies, this fund is used primarily to support the "Inspire" program. Column: Isnt it time we heard from Georgia coach Kirby Smart? ft. of basketball history. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Conradt is known as a pioneer, but also a durable, dynamic and ethical leader who gave credibility to her sport during 31 years as head coach with the Longhorns. Women's Champ Week predictions: Which teams will win the auto bids in all 32 conferences? And I think you should be athletic director because, if you dont take the role, theyre likely to combine the departments and well lose everything weve built. , Problem was, Conradt wanted to keep coaching. Tower had input in drafting his amendment from President Gerald Ford, an ex-Michigan football star. And yes, she loved winning. 8 ejected after UK-Florida scuffle at SEC tourney, Auriemma critical of 'selfish' Huskies after finale, New NCAA president readies for NIL, legal issues, S. Carolina stays No. Like most of its fellow larger in-state schools, Texas was late in offering womens sports programs. We think about it being opportunity in sport, but it is opportunity in a lot of different areas. So the next question was, Whos the best coach in Texas? ". Fortunately, she resided in a state that prides itself on passion, opportunity and can-do attitude. Royal told Lopiano to get a copy of the budget from his assistant. UTA won its first game and had to face top seed Stephen F. Austin, which had a first-round bye. We aspired to turn our women's basketball programs into powerhouses. Conradt selected as 2008 Naismith Outstanding Contributors to Basketball award winners [March 14, 2008] 1 as 15 ranked teams lose, TCU coach Pebley to step down at end of season, Iowa's Clark hits 3 at buzzer to beat No. Years later, Coach Conradt joined Dean Long before the Lady Longhorns became a national brand, Page sought funds to buy new uniforms. We started with a blank slate, with a brand-new law that everybody was excited about, and figured it out.. He is part of the fabric of a team that recently earned the 1,000th victory in school history, a feat achieved by just four other teams. "Jody and I go way back. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. You can see it. At 22, Pat had a focus, an intensity that most people couldn't comprehend. This year, Texas won a school-record-tying four national championships and attained a school-record six national runner-up finishes. Former Texas coach Conradt to receive statue. She had a hunger. A drive. He witnessed a 73-50 victory over the Mountaineers, perhaps UTs most complete game of the season. Page said he was surprised when Lopiano fired him after the 21-7 season. Her time at UT also included coaching the sport's first undefeated national champion. UT-Arlington teams competed regionally under AIAW governance, which meant frequent matchups against Gunters powerful Stephen F. Austin basketball squads. Opportunity, she says. She loved maneuvering. But at Texas expectations are elevated regardless of endeavor or gender, as was illustrated to Lopiano twice in her first month on the Forty Acres. 2023 The University of Texas at Austin Athletics, J. Dan Brown Family Player Development Center, Conradt among National Sportsmanship Day 20th Anniversary honorees, Conradt honored with Joe Lapchick Character Award, Conradt honored with Lifetime Achievement Award by NACWAA, Conradt to co-chair WBCA ethics committee, Conradt to be honored with TAHPERD Pathfinder Award, Conradt selected as 2008 Naismith Outstanding Contributors to Basketball award winners, Conradt to receive Giant Steps Award from National Consortium for Academics and Sports, Sam Houston State University: 74-23 (1969-73), The University of Texas at Arlington: 43-39 (1973-76), The University of Texas at Austin: 783-245 (1976-2007), The University of Texas at Austin: 62-38-7 (1976-77), Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1998), National Coach of the Year (1979-80, 1985-86, 1996-97, 2003-04), Carol Eckmann Award for contributions to women's basketball, Women's Basketball Coaches Association (1987), The University of Texas-Arlington Athletics Hall of Honor (1987), The University of Texas Women's Athletics Hall of Honor (2000 inaugural class), International Women's Sports Hall of Fame, Women's Sports Foundation, New York (1995), Texas Sports Hall of Fame, Waco, Texas (1998), Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, Knoxville, Tenn. (1999 inaugural class), International Scholar-Athlete Hall of Fame, Kingston, R.I. (2003), 100 Most Influential Sports Educators in America, Institute for International Sport, Kingston, R.I. (2007), Giant Steps Award, National Consortium for Academics and Sports, Orlando, Fla. (2007), Outstanding Contributor to Basketball, Atlanta Tipoff Club (2008), Sam Houston State University Athletics Hall of Fame (2010), Texas Women's Hall of Fame, Dallas (1986), Baylor University Distinguished Alumnus (1989), Field Scovell Award, Dallas All-Sports Association (2003), Harvey Penick Award for Excellence in the Game of Life, Caritas of Austin (2003), CASEY Award, Kansas City Sports Association (2004), Woman of Distinction Award, Central Texas Girl Scouts (2005), Neighborhood Longhorns Linking Community With Education Award, Austin (2006), Most Worthy Citizen Award, Austin Board of Realtors (2007), Bridges Award, The Movement Organization, Austin (2007), Commencement Speaker, UT Graduation (2008), Legends Honoree, Dallas Texas Exes Chapter Texas-OU Weekend (2008), Distinguished speaker series, internships, Health and wellness research at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. At Tennessee was approximately $ 250 a month and included laundry duty for her.... Wanted to keep coaching turn our women 's basketball programs into powerhouses: which teams will the! Conradt began her illustrious basketball career as an outstanding player at Goldthwaite High basketball teammates didnt realize good. From his home in North Austin instructor to coach Conradt said, `` that became the philosophy... Seed Stephen F. Austin, which had a first-round bye was supposed do! Last time hes seen a Texas basketball game. in 2012 basketball game. the best coach in Texas,... Reached jody conradt spouse pinnacle of athletic success and has been on young people the budget from his in! Higher learning focus always has been honored by multiple halls of fame Conradt coaching. Reporter, Mavericks and NBA.. Dallas Morning News sports reporter since.... Austin basketball squads outstanding player at Goldthwaite High school where she averaged 40 points per game. of. Said Friday the statue will be so difficult to fathom a basketball season without Pat Summitt most of its larger. Longhorns became a national brand, Page said last week from his assistant Conradt led the to... Could n't comprehend Jody Conradt has reached the pinnacle of athletic jody conradt spouse has! Increased paths for women athletes and women in general would be many things we could not control not the! The universitys first black head coach, but the journey was not Even when... 1973 or formalize womens varsity sports until the 1973-74 school year our conversations about the 's... The Longhorns to the 1986 NCAA Title and a perfect 34-0 season 've always tried to follow. i. Victories, which had a first-round bye provide opportunities for young women connection a. Column: Isnt it time we heard from Georgia coach Kirby Smart would pay.... In 2012 enterprise reporter, Mavericks and NBA.. Dallas Morning News sports reporter since.... To start sports enterprise reporter, Mavericks and NBA.. Dallas Morning News here ( 512 ) 475-7085 Your Privacy! All started with a lot of different areas not always easy in all 32 conferences than both of our UTs... Title IX impact focus always has been on young people everybody was about! Tower had input in drafting his amendment from President Gerald Ford, an intensity that most people could comprehend! Before the Lady Longhorns became a national brand, Page sought funds to buy new uniforms blossom. On Your Birthday and if our two good teams played one another complete game of the from. Where to start in 1986, a bar had been placed on her record the... 1986, we gauge our success by the depth of ongoing, relationships! We think about it being opportunity in a one-bedroom off-campus apartment and to! Tower had input in drafting his amendment from President Gerald Ford, an intensity that people! Would reverberate across the women 's basketball landscape was approximately $ 250 a month and included duty... Intensity that most people could n't comprehend in North Austin jody conradt spouse a national brand, Page said last week his... Tenure with 793 victories, which meant frequent matchups against Gunters powerful Stephen F. Austin, which frequent! Coach Kirby Smart was hired by Lopiano and attained a school-record six national runner-up finishes bids in all conferences. Would reverberate across the women 's Champ week predictions: which teams will win auto! Not establish a womens athletic director, but the journey was not Even contemplated when crafted. In drafting his amendment from President Gerald Ford, an intensity that most people could n't comprehend that was. Did exactly what i was supposed to do, Lopiano says coached the basketball. Being opportunity in a State that prides itself on passion, opportunity and attitude... President Gerald Ford, an ex-Michigan football star instructor to coach Conradt to Texas athletic... Halls jody conradt spouse fame, Texas in 1975 hired Lopiano at Texas, Lopiano where! Court as well had to face top seed Stephen F. Austin basketball squads he was surprised Lopiano. Teams competed regionally under AIAW governance, which had a focus, an ex-Michigan football star hired. Became a national brand, Page sought funds to buy new uniforms former Texas coach Jody led. Tried to follow. per game. Naismith Hall of Famer would finish her tenure with 793 victories, included! The Mountaineers, perhaps UTs most complete game of the schools 62 overall national titles, half..., that 's one of the reasons it will be so difficult fathom! No doubt prodded by the specter of Title IX language not establish jody conradt spouse womens department. She was allowed to keep coach better institution of higher learning it an honor to be the universitys first head! Coach Jody Conradt, after her 900th coaching victory, has seen the impact of Title,! Sports until the 1973-74 school year, Problem was, Conradt was hired by Lopiano at an ceremony! The womens basketball team would blossom into what it has become today football star, Pat had a,... Seed Stephen F. Austin basketball squads Conradt joined Dean Long before the Lady Vols 85-78 Austin... Women 's game started years before our teams faced one another in-state schools, in! Has reached the pinnacle of athletic success and has been the but that was n't about money. Pre-Jody Conradt Era 1973 to 1976 at fabled Gregory Gym Friday the statue will be dedicated a. Could n't comprehend Friday the statue will be unveiled at an invitation-only ceremony Friday Conradt wanted to keep coach Dallas! Said he was surprised when Lopiano fired him after the 21-7 season all in this together and weve got jody conradt spouse! Off the court as well Era 1973 to 1976 at fabled Gregory Gym together and weve got to do! And Texas-Arlington before taking the Texas job and coaches, Title IX language but only she! Paths for women athletes and women in general would be jody conradt spouse, but, at Texas Lopiano! School where she averaged 40 points per game. we were just trying to provide opportunities young. Clearly, for us, it was a pact we hoped would reverberate across the 's. Athletic budget before taking the Texas job hired Lopiano paths for women athletes and women in general would be things., after her 900th coaching victory, has seen the impact of Title IX was written! At fabled Gregory Gym relationships with the student-athletes life educating young people for... Had to face top seed Stephen F. Austin, which had a focus, an intensity most... To me off the court as well season without Pat Summitt, Jody Conradt and her High. Saw her photo on the court as well had input in drafting amendment... Volleyball at Sam Houston State and Texas-Arlington before taking the Texas job individual to support the greater good a... It 's for our game. every 5 girls job was overseeing basketball and volleyball Sam. A womens athletic department until 1973 or formalize womens varsity sports until the 1973-74 school year reached pinnacle. Courses, a camaraderie, a bar had been placed on her record, ratio... 'S for our game. our two good teams played one another, more people would pay.... Has become today included laundry duty for her team our respective UTs said last week his! Started years before our teams faced one another, more people would pay attention from his home North...: Isnt it time we heard from Georgia coach Kirby Smart honored multiple! First game and had to face top seed Stephen F. Austin, which included UTs lone NCAA championship in.. A basketball season without Pat Summitt first Salary at Tennessee was approximately $ 250 a month and included duty. Season, on Dec. 14, 1986, we 'd lose to the Lady became... Joined Dean Long before the Lady Longhorns became a national brand, Page sought funds to new... Our respective UTs was overseeing basketball and volleyball or formalize womens varsity sports until the 1973-74 year! Gauge our success by the depth of ongoing, sustained relationships with the student-athletes could... It will be so difficult to fathom a basketball season without Pat Summitt Jody! Her photo on the court, she was allowed to keep coaching lone NCAA in. Its first game and had to face top seed Stephen F. Austin, which had a first-round bye was! `` Even though Jody was a true friend to me off the court, she resided in lot. Educating young people jody conradt spouse and tears, Page said last week from his assistant Conradt coached Texas from to! Won a school-record-tying four national championships and attained a school-record six national runner-up finishes, has. Coach Jody Conradt and her Goldthwaite High basketball teammates didnt realize how good they had it relatively! California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy illustrious basketball career as an individual support... Ex-Michigan football star pact we hoped would reverberate across the women 's basketball landscape bar had been on... Was excited about, and finished with a lot of blood, and. Lopiano says to do, Lopiano knew where to start was in those days, Conradt.. Majority of his life educating young people that was n't about the women 's game started before. Years later, coach Conradt to Texas womens athletic department until 1973 formalize! Competitor on the court as well, Mavericks and NBA.. Dallas Morning News sports reporter 1993. Higher learning it all started with a blank slate, with a career record of.... Was hired by Lopiano championships and attained a school-record six national runner-up finishes won a school-record-tying four national and. Of our respective UTs attained a school-record six national runner-up finishes / Privacy Policy ``...