With the 50th anniversary of Title IX coming up in June, the Cascade Collegiate Conference takes a look at how it has impacted those in the CCC.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – When it comes to Title IX, Southern Oregon University’s Jessica Pistole has lived through a lot of the different stages. As an undergrad in the 1990s when it was starting to gain more momentum with its 20
th anniversary and now as a coach as it comes up on the 50
th anniversary, but she still believes there is work to be done.
“I for sure saw the impact of Title IX as a student-athlete in the 90s,” said Pistole. “I think everyone was trying to make that transition, it was far under compliant. Now, honestly, it depends on the school. Some take it to heart, others it’s not as high of a priority.”
Pistole was recruited to play volleyball at former NAIA institution Biola University and wound up playing four years of softball. As an undergrad, she felt the inequalities between the male and female sports. After college, Pistole took over the reins with the Eagles and still had to battle through the inequalities.
“You had to pay to coach, but baseball wasn’t that way,” said Pistole. “I don’t think it was manipulative or vicious, the intent just wasn’t behind Title IX.”
Since her first coaching job at Biola, Pistole has been at a variety of levels and even saw a program created from nothing, still navigating through the ebbs and flows of inequality. Pistole proposed and executed the formation of William Jessup's softball program – raising all the funds needed for scholarships and travel. She has also coached at the high school and NCAA Division I levels.
“I’ve been coaching for a long time and been on the forefront of Title IX from inequality as a student-athlete to my experience at SOU,” said Pistole. “SOU does a great job making that effort to create equality. It was the first place I’ve been to with a full-time position and I’ve coached at the college level for 20 years. Before it was highly dependent on what the coach can fundraise, not coming from the university.”
As a coach, Pistole has the opportunity to be an example to her student-athletes and instill in them a sense of empowerment. To fight for what they believe in.
“We need to be a voice for those coming behind us,” said Pistole. “It’s still very hard for me to ask for what I deserve, to speak up for myself. We need to find our voice and use it and empower others. I have three daughters and another on the way. I’m incredibly passionate about it. We need to be looked at as equals.”
Pistole also looks for that tenacity in her players.
“I’m looking for players who take initiative, who want to be here and take pride in what we do,” said Pistole. “This is about us. Nothing is handed to us. I want woman who want to take ownership of their lives, who commit to what it takes, academically and athletically.”
Pistole believes equality in sports is also not just a woman’s fight. She has played for male coaches and some of her coaching influences have been male coaches. As Pistole says, “it’s not just on women.”
“Half the population are girls and we’re not helpless beings,” said Pistole. “We’re valuable human beings. I really believe the balance of the world of men and women is needed. We need both sides. There’s such a strength in women. There’s an incredibly unique, powerful side of our beings. Sports brings that out. My job is to allow women to find that and become all they are capable of.”