Since Title IX was approved in 1972, the number of female collegiate athletes has grown from 33,000 to more than 130,000. The number of young women participating in high school sports has grown from 817,000 to over 2.5 million. But these increases have been accompanied by an alarming rise in serious orthopaedic injuries to women athletes. According to Matsen, female college athletes are four times more likely than men to suffer an injury that will end their sports careers. Debbie Armstrong, Olympic Gold Medal winner in the 1984 giant slalom, spoke at a news conference announcing the endowed chair.
Sports can be such a positive factor in the lives of women.
I am very excited that the University of Washington is launching this effort, which should be a huge help to many women athletes of the future, whether they're into serious competition or simply want to stay in shape throughout their lifetimes. While not an Olympic athlete, Jill Ruckelshaus played serious basketball decades ago - long before it was trendy. Her love for sport led her to spearhead the effort to raise funds for the new chair. Doctors also tell us that women athletes are suffering more acute, painful and debilitating physical injuries due to their participation in sports. Answers need to be found on how these women can better protect themselves and remain athletically active their entire lives.