NATCHITOCHES – Over the past few weeks Northwestern State has had different pieces of the puzzle at different times come together on game day. As they approach the final three non-conference games of the season, the Lady Demons are hopeful a day where the bigger picture is on display things will begin to click into place.
 
Title IX was enacted 50 years ago which prohibited sex discrimination in any education program or activity that receives federal financial assistance, including, among many other sports, basketball.
 
As the Lady Demons (3-4) host ULM (3-4) on Saturday in Prather Coliseum, many of the women that helped blaze the trail in collegiate athletics, specifically at NSU, will be honored and recognized. 
 
Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. and the game can be seen on ESPN+. Tickets for the game are available by visiting www.nsutickets.com.
 
"Thirty-seven words really changed my life, my player's lives and any woman's life whether they played sports or not," head coach Anna Nimz said. "Title IX provided the opportunity to participate, to not seem undervalued or not profitable. It's an incredible act and grateful for us to bring recognition to it during this milestone anniversary year." 
 
In 1971, the year prior to the passing of Title IX, just eight percent of high school athletes were female. A year after its passing, the total number of high school female athletes rose by 178 percent to more than 800,000. The gains are equally a notable on the collegiate level going from less than 32,000 female student-athletes to more than 200,000 this currently competing across the country.
 
"I think that is something to recognize and celebrate as we keep pushing forward," Nimz said. "We've made incredible strides, by no means have we hit the end goal. There's still definitely a disparity. There's still that gap. 
 
"But it's never letting those that came before us and their fight go unrecognized and now it's time for my generation and our players to pick up that fight and keep trying to move forward."
 
At half time of the game NSU will honor those women that played for NSU before Title IX, the pioneers of Lady Demon athletics that competed in the late 60s and early 70s. Tribute will also be paid to the "first group," those that were among the first to receive athletic scholarships to play collegiately, not only at NSU but in the country.
 
Among those being honored include 2022 N-Club Hall of Fame inductee Louise "Do" Bonin and nine-year head coach of NSU women's basketball that helped lead the Lady Demons into Division I, Pat Nolen Pierson.
 
"It's really a great chance for myself and the team to kind of take a step back and recognize the women that gave us the opportunity to be standing here today," Nimz said. "You just have to say thank you. Some of the stories that I've heard about these women have been surreal. I'm excited for our girls to be able to hear them. 
 
"Sometimes we think what we're doing and what we're going through is so hard. This is a gift and a blessing, something somebody fought so hard for. It's not a given. It's a great reminder to make sure we readjust our perspective some days."