IX at 50: The Lady Vols Experience The Center for Sport, Peace & Society

To close out Season One, Dr. Sarah and LaVonna speak with 1996 NCAA champion Michelle Marciniak. Known as “Spinderella,” this former All-American translated a legendary career playing basketball for UT into one on the WNBA hardcourt and coaching sidelines before becoming an entrepreneur as co-CEO of SHEEX. From the boardroom to the basketball courts of Albania, where Marciniak met the female Afghan athletes who are soon-to-be the newest additions to the Lady Vols basketball family, this tour de force emphasizes the impact that visible role models and opportunities have, whether it’s for girls and women in the United States, Afghanistan, or elsewhere. 

In this ground-breaking episode, Dr Sarah and LaVonna welcome longtime UT women’s athletics Sports Information Director (SID) Debby Jennings (UT ‘77), who has been at the forefront pioneering Title IX’s sports provisions alongside the Lady Vols. Jennings has charted an unprecedented career in the field, earning accolades along the way, and was most recently named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association's winner of the 2022 Mary Jo Haverbeck Award. Tune in for this extraordinary look at Title IX’s impact on Lady Vols, and women’s sports more broadly, at home and overseas.

This episode bridges the pre- and post-Title IX era as Dr Sarah and LaVonna welcome UT basketball’s Joy Scruggs, one of the first players to experience the game at UT on both sides of the divide. The 5’3” guard grew up in 1950s Chattanooga, an era in which society at large didn’t approve of girls playing sports with boys after a certain age. But as a Lady Vol from 1971 until 1975, including playing one season for Coach Pat Summitt, and then as a DIII coach, Scruggs’ career puts the seachange of options Title IX provided into perspective. Tune in for more in this foundational episode. 

In this high-octane episode, Dr. Sarah and LaVonna welcome UT legend, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and 1988 Olympic gold medalist Bridgette Gordon. During Gordon’s time in Knoxville, she helped the Lady Vols capture their first two of eight NCAA basketball championship titles; she then translated a sterling student-athlete career into a professional one in Italy and the WNBA before transitioning to work as a coach, scout, and recruiter. Tune in to learn more about Gordon’s Title IX story, the meaning of the Lady Vols brand, reflections on the international game, her hopes for the next 50 years of Title IX and more.

In this exciting chapter, Dr. Sarah and LaVonna welcome UT softball standout and former professional player Madison Shipman. While at UT, Madison scooped up records left and right as part of co-head coach Karen and Ralph Weekly’s teams, including as vice champions of the 2013 Women’s College World Series. Today, she’s still giving back to the game in numerous ways, helping younger players to become comfortable being uncomfortable. 

In this exciting chapter, Dr. Sarah and LaVonna welcome UT softball standout Raven Chavanne. The 2011 SEC Champion helped UT softball to some of its finest seasons under co-head coaches Karen and Ralph Weekly, and also propelled Team USA to the podium at the 2014 World Championship (Silver). Tune in as Number 88 shares on leadership lessons, international experiences, and her wishes for the next 50 years of Title IX beneficiaries.