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The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women through Iowa Eyes
Dec 6, 2024
04:00 PM - 05:30 PM
University of Iowa Main Library, Main Library Gallery
125 West Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52242
The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) organized women’s intercollegiate sports between 1971 and 1982. At its peak, the women-led AIAW facilitated 41 championships in 19 sports for students at its 970 member institutions. The AIAW ended in 1982, when the NCAA financially incentivized participation in its own women’s championships.
Led by physical educators, the AIAW created an “educational model” of intercollegiate athletics that centered the well-being of student-athletes and the leadership of women — a contrast to the male-only, commercial model of the NCAA at the time. In this talk, Diane Williams will trace the history of the AIAW through oral histories and archival materials from University of Iowa/AIAW leaders, including Drs. Christine Grant, Peg Burke, Bonnie Slatton, and more. From student-athlete leadership to AIAW presidencies, people from the University of Iowa impacted the AIAW and were, in turn, influenced by the AIAW during this decade of growth, inspiration, and engagement for women in intercollegiate sports and society.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact in advance at