A Title IX hero and the longest-tenured employee in the history of the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), Patricia Roy was hired in 1972 to oversee Indiana’s implementation of girls sports.
Thanks to Roy’s efforts, the IHSAA hosted its first tournaments in 1972-73 for volleyball and gymnastics. Golf and track and field tournaments followed in 1973-74, swimming and tennis in 1974-75, and the first-ever girls basketball tournament in 1975-76.
"Pat Roy has advanced athletic opportunities for girls from their beginning as IHSAA activities to a place of prominence in the nation today," said Bob Gardner, former IHSAA Commissioner, who was a colleague of Roy at the time of her retirement announcement in 1999.
During the next decade and beyond, athletic opportunities for girls in Indiana high schools increased dramatically under the guidance of Roy, who served as director of girls athletics. #TitleIXat50
