No College Education for Jill Hollembeak Without Title IX
2/11/2022 12:53:00 PM | ATHLETICS, WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
DePaul celebrating 50th anniversary of landmark federal legislation
CHICAGO – The massive outreach of Title IX is so widespread and all-inclusive that there's a good chance you know someone impacted by the groundbreaking federal legislation of 1972 that forever changed the landscape of female participation in sports.
Seriously people, this was a life-changing moment in the history of our nation. No longer could individuals be denied a college scholarship based simply on the totally random act of your gender at birth.
It's almost unimaginable how many young girls were suddenly presented with a golden opportunity for a free college education simply by excelling in a sport you fell in love with and grew up playing all your life.
And beyond the sheer joy of competition---all that "thrill of victory and agony of defeat"---females grabbed that brass ring of education and ran with it.
At the high end, it catapulted them to a lucrative career as they became CEOs and leaders of our economy. Maybe even a United States senator or, dare we say, perhaps one day, President.
At the very least, it enriched their lives and broadened their worldview---becoming more open-minded and tolerant with a greater chance to enhance the lives of others.
DePaul Athletics will join an entire nation in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX. It will combine moments of somber reflection with expressions of joyous exuberance and everything in between.
This will be a memorable montage of social media, videos, blogs, podcasts, feature stories and other creative platforms to help the university community remember its profound impact on so many lives.
"Our theme is Celebrate the Past, Recognize the Present, Empower the Future," said top DePaul Marketing administrator Kassidy Brown. "We are looking to feature people who are not only accomplished in their sport, but also in the community.
"It could be a female DePaul graduate who went on to become the CEO of a highly successful company. It could be someone like Jessica Sarowitz, a DePaul alum currently serving on the university's Board of Trustees who is among the Athletic Department's greatest benefactors.
"We'll celebrate the legacy of women in sports on Title IX Tuesdays and during in-person events like Happy Hour---female difference-makers who are opening up opportunities for women in sports and beyond."
And we begin with a heartwarming tale from Senior Associate Athletics Director Jill Hollembeak who would not have gone to college without Title IX.
Growing up the daughter of an iron worker in Cherry Valley, Ill. near Rockford, Hollembeak was blessed with gymnastics and tumbling skills that eventually took on epic proportions.
Her mom and dad made significant sacrifices to make sure she had the very best training and could travel around the globe to compete against the very best.
They lacked the resources to accompany her. But if doing without meant their daughter could shine on the world stage---done deal.
No questions asked.
Hollembeak made her first impact on the gymnastics world by capturing the 1982 World Tumbling Championship in the Senior Women's Division at the age of 14 in Bozeman, Mont. Hollembeak went on to win subsequent world titles in 1984 in Osaka, Japan and 1986 in Paris, along with 11 national titles in power tumbling and platform tumbling.
You want to talk about the thrill of victory? Ronald "PeeWee" and Sally Hollembeak were awash in pride and joy.
They were absolutely beaming the first time they saw the sign erected by the village council that read: "Cherry Valley Village Limit: Home of Jill Hollembeak, World Champion Power Tumbling."
Their little girl was an athletic prodigy.
In 2011, Hollembeak was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame after winning six world tumbling championships. Her USA Gymnastics induction followed her 2010 induction as a "World Acrobatic Legend" by the World Acrobatic Society.
A two-time Academic All-American and an NCAA qualifier in gymnastics at Illinois State, Hollembeak graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Recreation. She later earned a 4.0 GPA and completed a Masters in Sports Psychology from Illinois State in 2003 and went on to become a Redbirds gymnastics coach.
In 2013, Hollembeak was inducted into the Illinois State Athletics Hall of Fame.
Let's not forget the huge financial drain on the Hollembeak family from her amazing gymnastics career left paying for a college education out of the question.
Thanks goodness for Title IX.
"We're grateful for the impact and scope of Title IX and how it has enriched our world by forever providing equality for females in college athletics," said DePaul Athletics Director DeWayne Peevy.
"In particular, we marvel at the power and influence of Title IX and how it helped bring my invaluable colleague Jill Hollembeak to the DePaul community where she has enriched the lives of so many Blue Demon student-athletes.
"Jill Hollembeak is what Title IX is all about."
Hollembeak took some time to reflect on her unique journey and what it all means today.
"When I think about Title IX as we just celebrated National Girls and Women In Sports Day, I can't imagine a world where we aren't celebrating the accomplishments of women," said Hollembeak who is the women's basketball Sport Administrator.
"Our DePaul Newsline publication just highlighted two prominent women in sports---Sarah Kustok and Jocelyn Carter who is a member of the DePaul Athletic Board.
"I can't imagine a world without Sarah becoming the first TV analyst for an NBA team, the Brooklyn Nets. And Jocelyn is a psychologist whose research and studies in youth sports brings to light the positive impact on mental and physical health when kids play sports.
"It's especially true for children of color and those from underserved communities. It wasn't that long ago that girls were not formally allowed to play sports."
And when they were finally able to play collegiately at state universities, their exploits went largely unrecognized for nearly three decades.
"At Illinois State where I competed on the gymnastics team, I was part of the first class to be awarded a varsity letter in 1990," Hollembeak said. "Up until then, female student-athletes were not deemed worthy of a varsity award.
"ISU administrator Linda Herman led the way in bringing back all the female student-athletes from the 1960s, 70s and 80s to receive the varsity awards they so richly deserved. Some of those women who came back for a special ceremony in 2003 were teammates of mine."
Hollembeak's dad asked his daughter if he could be her date to the special awards banquet. He always felt so strongly that women athletes deserved a place at the table for sports. When he got home, he wrote this poem:
Tribute to the Women of ISU Athletics
By PeeWee Hollembeak
As we honor these women athletes from years gone by,
their accomplishments and triumphs bring a tear to our eyes.
Some are gray haired and have the wisdom of many years,
yet some still have the look of youth as they sit amongst their peers.
Many played in the corner gym or some secluded playing field,
and usually with very small crowd appeal.
As most of you know they only had one sin,
that was to play or compete in the shadows of men.
Yet these women persisted and gave it their all.
And slowly the walls of prejudice began to fall.
I had the pleasure of watching my daughter Jill reap the harvest of these
precious few;
the doors that were opened not many of you knew.
So, all of you young athletes sitting here tonight,
look around at these ladies and know that what you have is because of their fight.
Most athletes know there is no such thing as a free ride;
the aching muscles, sore backs, the mental fatigue; that's hard to hide;
all of these things really push one's pride.
So, ladies our hats are off to each of you.
All of the hard work, dedication and competition that you went through,
the true meaning of ISU Women's Athletics is finally shining through!
"I cannot underscore enough the significance of Title IX as it has paved the way for a dramatic increase in the number of women participating in intercollegiate athletics and drastically enhanced the investment in women's sports programs across the nation," Peevy said.
"At DePaul, we're proud to invest in our women's athletics programs. These programs are fundamental to our purpose—to transform lives and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow—and our future success.
"Blue Demon women's athletics programs reaffirm the role college athletics plays in developing strong female leaders to serve as role models for future generations. DePaul Athletics is a stronger department because of our focus, dedication and success of our women's sports programs."
Hollembeak doubles-down with Peevy in their resolve to continue the fight.
"We've got to continue to educate and push boundaries," she said. "The NCAA women's basketball tournament has expanded to 68 teams to match the men's tournament. The March Madness theme and logo will be used by both genders.
"The whole key is being inclusive for everyone."
Seriously people, this was a life-changing moment in the history of our nation. No longer could individuals be denied a college scholarship based simply on the totally random act of your gender at birth.
It's almost unimaginable how many young girls were suddenly presented with a golden opportunity for a free college education simply by excelling in a sport you fell in love with and grew up playing all your life.
And beyond the sheer joy of competition---all that "thrill of victory and agony of defeat"---females grabbed that brass ring of education and ran with it.
At the high end, it catapulted them to a lucrative career as they became CEOs and leaders of our economy. Maybe even a United States senator or, dare we say, perhaps one day, President.
At the very least, it enriched their lives and broadened their worldview---becoming more open-minded and tolerant with a greater chance to enhance the lives of others.
DePaul Athletics will join an entire nation in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX. It will combine moments of somber reflection with expressions of joyous exuberance and everything in between.
This will be a memorable montage of social media, videos, blogs, podcasts, feature stories and other creative platforms to help the university community remember its profound impact on so many lives.
"Our theme is Celebrate the Past, Recognize the Present, Empower the Future," said top DePaul Marketing administrator Kassidy Brown. "We are looking to feature people who are not only accomplished in their sport, but also in the community.
"It could be a female DePaul graduate who went on to become the CEO of a highly successful company. It could be someone like Jessica Sarowitz, a DePaul alum currently serving on the university's Board of Trustees who is among the Athletic Department's greatest benefactors.
"We'll celebrate the legacy of women in sports on Title IX Tuesdays and during in-person events like Happy Hour---female difference-makers who are opening up opportunities for women in sports and beyond."
And we begin with a heartwarming tale from Senior Associate Athletics Director Jill Hollembeak who would not have gone to college without Title IX.
Growing up the daughter of an iron worker in Cherry Valley, Ill. near Rockford, Hollembeak was blessed with gymnastics and tumbling skills that eventually took on epic proportions.
Her mom and dad made significant sacrifices to make sure she had the very best training and could travel around the globe to compete against the very best.
They lacked the resources to accompany her. But if doing without meant their daughter could shine on the world stage---done deal.
No questions asked.
Hollembeak made her first impact on the gymnastics world by capturing the 1982 World Tumbling Championship in the Senior Women's Division at the age of 14 in Bozeman, Mont. Hollembeak went on to win subsequent world titles in 1984 in Osaka, Japan and 1986 in Paris, along with 11 national titles in power tumbling and platform tumbling.
You want to talk about the thrill of victory? Ronald "PeeWee" and Sally Hollembeak were awash in pride and joy.
They were absolutely beaming the first time they saw the sign erected by the village council that read: "Cherry Valley Village Limit: Home of Jill Hollembeak, World Champion Power Tumbling."
Their little girl was an athletic prodigy.
In 2011, Hollembeak was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame after winning six world tumbling championships. Her USA Gymnastics induction followed her 2010 induction as a "World Acrobatic Legend" by the World Acrobatic Society.
A two-time Academic All-American and an NCAA qualifier in gymnastics at Illinois State, Hollembeak graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Recreation. She later earned a 4.0 GPA and completed a Masters in Sports Psychology from Illinois State in 2003 and went on to become a Redbirds gymnastics coach.
In 2013, Hollembeak was inducted into the Illinois State Athletics Hall of Fame.
Let's not forget the huge financial drain on the Hollembeak family from her amazing gymnastics career left paying for a college education out of the question.
Thanks goodness for Title IX.
"We're grateful for the impact and scope of Title IX and how it has enriched our world by forever providing equality for females in college athletics," said DePaul Athletics Director DeWayne Peevy.
"In particular, we marvel at the power and influence of Title IX and how it helped bring my invaluable colleague Jill Hollembeak to the DePaul community where she has enriched the lives of so many Blue Demon student-athletes.
"Jill Hollembeak is what Title IX is all about."
Hollembeak took some time to reflect on her unique journey and what it all means today.
"When I think about Title IX as we just celebrated National Girls and Women In Sports Day, I can't imagine a world where we aren't celebrating the accomplishments of women," said Hollembeak who is the women's basketball Sport Administrator.
"Our DePaul Newsline publication just highlighted two prominent women in sports---Sarah Kustok and Jocelyn Carter who is a member of the DePaul Athletic Board.
"I can't imagine a world without Sarah becoming the first TV analyst for an NBA team, the Brooklyn Nets. And Jocelyn is a psychologist whose research and studies in youth sports brings to light the positive impact on mental and physical health when kids play sports.
"It's especially true for children of color and those from underserved communities. It wasn't that long ago that girls were not formally allowed to play sports."
And when they were finally able to play collegiately at state universities, their exploits went largely unrecognized for nearly three decades.
"At Illinois State where I competed on the gymnastics team, I was part of the first class to be awarded a varsity letter in 1990," Hollembeak said. "Up until then, female student-athletes were not deemed worthy of a varsity award.
"ISU administrator Linda Herman led the way in bringing back all the female student-athletes from the 1960s, 70s and 80s to receive the varsity awards they so richly deserved. Some of those women who came back for a special ceremony in 2003 were teammates of mine."
Hollembeak's dad asked his daughter if he could be her date to the special awards banquet. He always felt so strongly that women athletes deserved a place at the table for sports. When he got home, he wrote this poem:
Tribute to the Women of ISU Athletics
By PeeWee Hollembeak
As we honor these women athletes from years gone by,
their accomplishments and triumphs bring a tear to our eyes.
Some are gray haired and have the wisdom of many years,
yet some still have the look of youth as they sit amongst their peers.
Many played in the corner gym or some secluded playing field,
and usually with very small crowd appeal.
As most of you know they only had one sin,
that was to play or compete in the shadows of men.
Yet these women persisted and gave it their all.
And slowly the walls of prejudice began to fall.
I had the pleasure of watching my daughter Jill reap the harvest of these
precious few;
the doors that were opened not many of you knew.
So, all of you young athletes sitting here tonight,
look around at these ladies and know that what you have is because of their fight.
Most athletes know there is no such thing as a free ride;
the aching muscles, sore backs, the mental fatigue; that's hard to hide;
all of these things really push one's pride.
So, ladies our hats are off to each of you.
All of the hard work, dedication and competition that you went through,
the true meaning of ISU Women's Athletics is finally shining through!
"I cannot underscore enough the significance of Title IX as it has paved the way for a dramatic increase in the number of women participating in intercollegiate athletics and drastically enhanced the investment in women's sports programs across the nation," Peevy said.
"At DePaul, we're proud to invest in our women's athletics programs. These programs are fundamental to our purpose—to transform lives and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow—and our future success.
"Blue Demon women's athletics programs reaffirm the role college athletics plays in developing strong female leaders to serve as role models for future generations. DePaul Athletics is a stronger department because of our focus, dedication and success of our women's sports programs."
Hollembeak doubles-down with Peevy in their resolve to continue the fight.
"We've got to continue to educate and push boundaries," she said. "The NCAA women's basketball tournament has expanded to 68 teams to match the men's tournament. The March Madness theme and logo will be used by both genders.
"The whole key is being inclusive for everyone."
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Episode 19: Jill M. Pizzotti, Women's Basketball Head Coach
Wednesday, April 16
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Thursday, April 10