HIST 3005 Sport: A Global History Volleyball National Championship collection, 1971-2022

In 1978, the women's volleyball team won Utah State University its first national championship. Women's sports have existed at Utah State since nearly the beginning of the university, but for decades play was always local, never venturing outside of Cache Valley. In addition to meager resources and support, the lack of organized leagues hampered opportunities for women's athletics. After Title IX was passed in the 1970's, women's sports emerged throughout the nation. Drawing on university records, newspaper articles, and the oral histories of players themselves (conducted by students from the HIST 3005 class in the spring of 2022), this exhibit focuses on the women's volleyball team 1978 championship and presents the effects Title IX had on the school, including the challenges of securing resources, facilities, and community support.