Give A Girl Some Credit! A salute to the female pioneer athletes of Southridge High School

*Members of the Southridge High School 1974 Class gathered at SHS and, during the tour, presented a check for $500 to the Southridge Choir Director Erich Kendall for the program.*

The Southridge graduating class of 1974, just celebrated our 50th class reunion. As part of that event many of us gathered at SHS to meet Greg Gogel, the current principal, and take a tour of the school. It’s hard to believe it was brand new 50-plus years ago when we became the first junior class to enter the halls in the spring of 1973.

We were blown away by the physical and technological changes that have occurred since our beloved high school days. Back then, we had no cell phones, internet, or computers. We did learn “keyboarding,” but it was on a manual typewriter!

The new environment is inspiring for all elements of education; academics, trade skills, athletics and the arts. Our class, which participated in the very first production performed on the auditorium stage, proudly presented a check for $500 to Erich Kendall, SHS choral director, for the purchase of a new podium.

Another major change worth noting, is that as a girl, other than physical education class, the only school based sports opportunity for me and other girls, was G.A.A. Club. (Girls Athletic Association) Members met after school, several times during the year for organized games of volleyball, softball, kickball or some other activity.

On June 23, 1972, Title IX of the education amendments of 1972 was enacted into law. Title IX prohibits federally funded educational institutions from discriminating against students or employees based on sex.

Two brand new teams were created for girls, volleyball and track, in our junior year. In our senior year, the swim team was added.

Many of us girls hadn’t grown up playing organized sports, HOWEVER, there were some brave souls who stepped up and joined these very first girls teams.

Volleyball

Beth Buening, Marylin Denu, Becky Eckert, Beverly Kahle, Joni Kippenbrock, Becky Link, Norma Niehaus, Ann Tevebaugh, Gwen Underwood, Debbie Weyerbacher

Track

Becky Eckert, Norma Niehaus, Ann Tevebaugh, Gwen Underwood, Janet Underwood, Debbie Weyerbacher

Swimming

Karen Altmeyer, Margaret Amini, Sharon Jones, Becky Link

In 2022 Title IX celebrated it’s 50th anniversary and look how far the enactment of that law has brought sports opportunities for the daughters and grand daughters of our classmates! This year at Southridge High School, in addition to the original three girls sports, there are seven additional ones: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and wrestling.

Barb Bretz,
Fishers