CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the landmark Title IX legislation that provided equal opportunities to women in athletics, the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will host a summit on Friday, Sept. 9 open to women of the Varsity I family and other invited guests. The summit themed, ‘How it started, how it’s going’, will include a luncheon, moderated panel, and a networking happy hour.
The luncheon kicks off the event and will feature a tribute to Dr. Karol Kahrs, Illinois’ longtime senior administrator who transitioned women’s athletics into DIA following the passing of Title IX. Dr. Kahrs championed female student-athletes though creation of the University’s women’s intercollegiate athletics program and became an advocate and leader for women’s sports with the both the Big Ten and the NCAA.
The keynote address will be delivered by Sheila Johnson, Illinois alumna and successful businesswoman, whose accomplishments include co-founding Black Entertainment Television (BET), partner of three professional sport franchises, and business developments in hospitality and real estate.
Following the luncheon, a panel discussion entitled “Motivation to Overcome, Vision to Elevate” will feature experts analyzing, highlighting, and debating the myriad changes in sports – especially women’s and girls’ sports – that have occurred since the inception of Title IX in 1972. Moderated by former Illinois volleyball standout and current Game Plan Director of Curriculum Tayler Onion, panelists will include NCAA Senior Vice President Joni Comstock, 1972 Olympic gymnast Nancy Thies, Illinois head soccer coach Janet Rayfield, and Olympian and U.S. Discus Champion Gia Lewis-Smallwood.
The entire day will be led by emcee and Emmy-Award nominated sports journalist Taylor Rooks.
Those in attendance at the summit will also be honored at the annual Varsity I Orange Affair dinner, and with a special recognition during the Sept. 10 Illinois vs. Virginia football game at Memorial Stadium.
KAROL KAHRS EXCELLENCE FUND: In June 2022, Illinois launched the Karol Kahrs Women’s Excellence Fund to raise money for Fighting Illini women’s sport programs in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX. To date more than $100,000 has been raised in support of Illinois’ 11 women’s teams.
SPECIAL GUESTS BIOS:
Keynote: Sheila Johnson
Sheila Johnson is an Illinois alumna, successful businesswoman, philanthropist, film producer and accomplished musician. A cheerleader during her days in Champaign-Urbana, in 1970 – two years before the passage of Title IX – she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music performance and education. She subsequently, went on to co-found Black Entertainment Television (BET), a cable network targeting African Americans, before selling to Viacom in 2001. Since that time, Johnson has created a rich and diverse professional portfolio that includes hotels and resorts, real estate, and multiple sports franchises. Johnson, the first African American woman to own a stake in three professional sports teams – the Washington Capitals (NHL), the Washington Wizards (NBA), and the Washington Mystics (WNBA) – also serves as Vice Chairman of Monumental Sports and Entertainment and is team president, managing partner and governor of the Mystics. In 2004, Johnson launched Salamander Hotels & Resorts, with the flagship property, the equestrian-themed Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, VA – the heart of Virginia’s horse country. Other properties include: Innisbrook, north of Tampa Bay, home of the PGA Valspar Championship, Hotel Bennett in Charleston, the iconic Aspen Meadows in Aspen, Colorado, Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica and Aurora Anguilla Resort & Club in Anguilla. Most recently Salamander Hotels & Resorts has led a joint venture partnership to acquire the Mandarin Oriental in Washington, DC. The property will be rebranded as Salamander DC
Emcee: Taylor Rooks
Emmy Award-nominated sports journalist Taylor Rooks is the host and executive producer of Take It There with Taylor Rooks, her interview show for Bleacher Report, among other duties for Turner Sports. She recently also joined Amazon’s Thursday Night Football coverage. Previously, she worked as a host, reporter, and correspondent for the Big Ten Network and as a sideline reporter for CBS Sports Network. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois, where she majored in broadcast journalism.
Panel Moderator: Tayler Onion
Tayler Onion is the head of curriculum development for Game Plan, overseeing the all-in-one athlete eLearning development platform. Prior to joining Game Plan, Onion worked in student-athlete development at USF, SIU-Carbondale, Western Illinois, and Memphis. She is a two-time graduate of Illinois, getting her bachelor’s degree in advertising in 2013 and master’s degree in sport management in 2014.
PANELISTS:
Joni Comstock
Joni Comstock has served as the NCAA Senior Vice President of Championships and Senior Woman Administrator since September 2006. She is responsible for oversight of 75 NCAA championships and 69 sports committees. Before coming to the NCAA, Comstock was the Athletics Director for three years at American University, while also serving in administration at the University of North Carolina Asheville, Purdue University, and the University of Illinois. Comstock received her bachelor’s degree at Eastern Illinois University; a master’s degree from Illinois State University; and a doctorate in administration of higher education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Nancy Thies Marshall
Nancy Thies Marshall is the only Illinois women’s gymnast to compete in the Olympics, when she made the 1972 team as a 15-year-old out of Urbana High School. At Illinois, Marshall won the Big Ten All-Around title and earned All-American honors. During her career, she has served as vice-chair for women at USA Olympics. Marshall has co-authored athletic-themed books, volunteered and led nonprofit organizations, worked for NBC as a commentator for television broadcasts of gymnastics, and traveled as a tireless proponent of athlete wellness. Marshall is currently the director of Human Resources at Corban University in Salem, Oregon.
Janet Rayfield
Janet Rayfield is in her 21st season as the head coach of Fighting Illini soccer. As the school’s winningest coach, Rayfield has led Illinois to the NCAA Tournament 10 times, including the Sweet Sixteen in 2013. In her playing days, Rayfield was one of the best. She played collegiately at the University of North Carolina from 1979-82 and helped build the program from the ground up. She led the Tar Heels to the 1981 AIAW National Championship and a 23-0 record in only their third year. That season, Rayfield took home the Nike Player of the Year award, All-America honors and was named one of the top 10 soccer players in America (male or female). In 1982, she led the Tar Heels to the first-ever NCAA women’s soccer championship. That championship would be the first of 18 NCAA national titles in the storied history of the North Carolina program.
Gia Lewis-Smallwood
Gia Lewis-Smallwood is the most accomplished field event athlete in Fighting Illini women’s track and field history. She competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the discus and formerly held the American record in that event with a toss of 226-feet, 11-inches in 2014. Lewis-Smallwood is a four-time U.S. discus champion and has competed in a total of four World Championship meets. She holds Illinois records for the 20-pound weight throw and discus and was the Big Ten discus champion in 2001. Lewis-Smallwood earned All-America honors in the discus at the 2001 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
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