As the Hofstra University Department of Athletics celebrates the 50th anniversary of the passing of Title IX, we will honor, acknowledge, and inform our University community about some of the members of the Pride who helped make a difference at Hofstra and paved the way for today's current student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and teams. Leading up to the June 23 anniversary of the passage of Title IX, Hofstra Athletics will feature many individuals who played a role in enacting change or those whose experiences at Hofstra were enhanced by the efforts of those who came before them.

Title IX is a federal civil rights law in the United States of America that was passed as part (Title IX) of the Education Amendments of 1972. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or other education program that receives funding from the federal government.

Please consider a gift to celebrate and support the 50th anniversary of Title IX! All proceeds from this campaign will go directly towards our Hofstra Athletics Pride Club account for women's athletics. 

This week, we feature an interview with former Hofstra women's soccer head coach and 2008 Hofstra Hall of Fame inductee, JoAnne Russell. 

JoAnne Russell was the founding coach of the women's soccer program in 1992 and served as head coach until her retirement at the conclusion of the 2005 season. During her 13 years as varsity coach, JoAnne posted a 138-88-18 record, was a two-time CAA Coach of the Year selection as well as the 1999 America East Coach of the Year and the 1994 Nassau County Sports Commission Coach of the Year. Russell built the Hofstra program from a club team in its first season (1992) to a competitive Division I program that went 16-2-1 and earned an ECAC Tournament berth in the team's second year at the varsity level. She led the team to nine double-digit win seasons from 1994 to 2005 and in her final season, she coached the team to the Colonial Athletic Association championship and an NCAA Tournament bid.