Pac-12 is the first conference to win 200 NCAA women’s championships and marks a historic milestone with the introduction of Title IX to commemorate the 50th anniversary of PowHER of the Pac

SAN FRANCISCO – Wednesday was another historic day for the Conference of Champions as Stanford’s victory at the 2022 NCAA Women’s Golf Championships in Scottsdale, Arizona, marked the 200th all-time NCAA title for women’s Pac-12 programs.

Stanford helped the conference be the first to reach the championship milestone and captured his 131st NCAA title overall and second women’s golf crown by beating Oregon 3-2 in an All-Pac 12 final.

“We are extremely proud of the support that Pac-12 universities offer to their women’s athletics programs and the unparalleled success they have helped to achieve,” said the Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff. “Two hundred NCAA titles is an incredible number and a testament to the collaboration between our member institutions and the conference to promote athletic excellence. Congratulations to the Cardinal on his latest NCAA title and to all of our schools on this milestone, which comes at a very opportune time as we approach the 50th anniversary of Title IX.”

The Pac-12’s success began almost immediately after the NCAA began hosting women’s championships 40 years ago, when USC women’s volleyball won its first of three NCAA titles on December 20, 1981.

For the past four decades, Pac-12 members have dominated the NCAA women’s athletic landscape, winning 24 softball titles, 24 tennis crowns, 21 water polo titles, 20 golf, 17 swimming and diving, 17 volleyball, 16 gymnastics, 13 in cross country, 11 in indoor track and field, 10 in outdoor track and field, 10 in rowing, six in beach volleyball, six in soccer and five in basketball. The national top 200 women’s conference NCAA championships easily surpasses the second-place SEC (111, based on current membership).

The conference leads the nation in NCAA titles in nine distinct women’s sports: beach volleyball, cross-country skiing, golf, rowing, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, volleyball and water polo. The Pac-12 has never lost an NCAA championship in women’s beach volleyball or water polo.

Since 1981-82, women’s programs have accounted for 53 percent of the Pac-12’s 377 total NCAA crowns, which also include 156 men’s titles and 21 ski (coed) championships.

Pac-12 members, spanning a century of athletic excellence, have now collectively won a record 544 NCAA overall championships (women, men, coed), more than 200 ahead of the next next conference (Big Ten – 322, based on current membership).

The academic season isn’t over yet and the Pac-12 women’s teams are still competing for NCAA championships in rowing, softball and outdoor track and field.

To celebrate the rich history and success of the women’s Pac-12 sport and to celebrate the golden anniversary of Title IX, the conference on Wednesday also unveiled plans for its “power of the Pac: Celebrating 50 Years of Title IX” campaign.

Title IX was enacted by Congress and signed into law on June 23, 1972, prohibiting sex discrimination in educational programs or activities that receive any type of federal financial assistance. In the 50 years that have passed, historic legislation has been instrumental in increasing opportunities for women in collegiate athletics and has positively impacted the pursuit of gender equality in sport.

Throughout the 2022-23 academic year, the Pac-12’s multifaceted campaign will focus on highlighting the stories of the student-athletes, coaches and administrators who have left an indelible mark on conference and collegiate athletics over the past half-century.

“This anniversary provides a great opportunity to recognize the incredible impact of Title IX and to highlight the rich stories of Pac-12 pioneers in women’s athletics, including past and present athletes, coaches and staff,” said the Pac-12 Deputy Commissioner Teresa Gould.

“Title IX was a game changer for women in all fields, not just sports or athletics. It has opened access, created opportunity and raised awareness that women deserve the same support and resources as men. But that’s not over yet. There is still work to be done and the next 50 years are just as important as the last 50.”

Activations, which began with recognition of Title IX Trailblazers at Pac-12 championship events this spring, will continue in 2022-23 at conference championships and media days with on-site public announcements, signage, branding and giveaways. The celebration also extends to the Pac-12 social and digital platforms, and the conference will amplify the anniversary initiatives of its 12 member institutions throughout the year.

Video vignettes, written feature stories and additional commemorative content will complement in-person events and program offerings to collectively celebrate the Pac-12’s unprecedented success in women’s sport and the 50th anniversary of Title IX.

A highlight of the year-long celebration will also be the induction of an all-female class into the Pac-12 Hall of Honor at the 2023 Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament in Las Vegas.

The Pac-12 is also supporting a Title IX anniversary campaign with its alliance partners ACC and Big Ten called “Celebrating 50 Years of Title IX TogeTHER,” announced in early February to coincide with National Girls and Women in Sports Day. This effort will also intensified in the 2022-23 academic year as the three conferences combine efforts to recognize and highlight student-athletes, coaches and administrators who have made a significant impact over the past 50 years.