Sky, WNBA to honor Title IX on uniforms

The Chicago Sky will join the WNBA in helping celebrate Title IX’s 40th anniversary throughout the 2012 season.

The league will commemorate the day by unveiling special uniforms to be worn by four WNBA teams on two nationally televised games on ESPN on Saturday, June 23: the Sky at Minnesota Lynx at 11:30 a.m. and the Los Angeles Sparks at Phoenix Mercury at 8 p.m. CST. The new uniforms will feature “IX” in the front of the jerseys while player names and uniform numbers will remain the same on the back of the jerseys. In addition, commemorative WNBA Title IX shirts will be available for purchase at WNBAStore.com.

“As the most successful women’s sports league in the world, we truly believe the WNBA is a proof point of the impact of Title IX,” said WNBA President Laurel J. Richie. “The women of the WNBA — and all of the men who enjoy the game or have daughters and sisters who dream of becoming professional athletes — are beneficiaries of this legislation. We are proud to recognize this important anniversary.”

WNBA.com will feature a Title IX section that will include daily content and editorial pieces on politicians, executives, coaches, and athletes who have initiated or benefitted from this law.

As part of the season-long festivities, all WNBA teams will host in-arena events featuring programming, discussion panels, and halftime presentations to honor the anniversary. Several teams are also providing special ticket packages to celebrate Title IX turning 40.

Among the Title IX activities being planned:

타 The Atlanta Dream will host a special “Women in Sports Night” at its Aug. 22 game.

타 The Chicago Sky will select nine women who have inspired change across Illinois to be part of a Title IX team. Each member will be honored at Sky home games.

타 The Indiana Fever and the Indiana Humanities will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Title IX with a speakers’ panel throughout the season featuring key women who have helped shape the landscape in a variety of fields. Fever COO and general manager Kelly Krauskopf and head coach Lin Dunn will be featured at the Fever’s Title IX 40th Anniversary Salute event on June 21.

타 The Los Angeles Sparks will host a pregame reception in honor of the Inspiring Women of the Title IX movement on June 24 and will feature an art exhibit featuring pieces by the late Varnette P. Honeywood, a well-known nationally acclaimed and internationally renowned artist and illustrator.

For more details on celebrations throughout the league, visit wnba.com.