Beyond the Court: How Title IX Changed My Life

Three!!! Swoooosh!” The crowd roared. The game was on the line, and all those hours practicing three-pointers finally paid off. That moment wasn’t just about scoring points. It was about the confidence, discipline, and determination that basketball gave me.

Basketball has always been more than a game for me. It was a pathway to education, leadership, and opportunity. As a basketball player, I worked hard on and off the court, and that dedication paid off. With the guidance of incredible coaches, a former El Paso Parks and Recreation Director,  and a dad who pushed me to be my best, I helped my high school team win a state basketball championship and earned a spot on the Texas All-State team. Those moments weren’t just victories on the court, they led to doors I never imagined would open.

One of the biggest doors opened by basketball was the chance to go to college. My talent and hard work earned me a scholarship, and that scholarship changed the trajectory of my life. It allowed me to be the first in my family to pursue higher education, receive a college degree, and step into leadership roles that shaped who I am today. Basketball gave me confidence.  It was the kind of confidence that carried into the classroom and eventually onto national committees where I now advocate for students.

But none of this would have been possible without Title IX. Before its passage in 1972, opportunities for women athletes were limited, and the idea of receiving a scholarship to play basketball would have been out of reach for so many. Title IX changed that by ensuring that women had equal access to athletic programs and resources. For me, it meant that my time in the gym, my passion for the game, and my leadership on the court were valued and not dismissed because of my gender.

We see the ripple effects of Title IX today. Women’s basketball is drawing record-breaking crowds and television audiences, with players like Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Lonescu, and A’ja Wilson inspiring a new generation. The WNBA’s growth and the visibility of women athletes remind us that progress in women’s sports didn’t happen by accident. It happened because protections like Title IX leveled the playing field.

Today, we cannot take those protections for granted. Title IX isn’t just about athletics. It’s about fairness, access, and the belief that each and every student, regardless of gender, deserves the same chance to succeed. My story is just one example of the doors that open when those protections are enforced.

Action Steps You Can Take:

1. Show Up & Support

• Attend women’s sports games:  whether it’s local high school teams, college matchups, or professional games, NCAA/NAIA games, filling the stands sends a powerful message.
  
• Watch women’s sports broadcasts/streams: higher viewership drives more media coverage and sponsorships.
  

2. Advocate for Equity

• Support Title IX enforcement: stay informed on proposed changes to Title IX, and advocate against rollbacks that could reduce opportunities for women.
  
• Contact legislators to protect and expand funding for girls’ and women’s athletics.
  

3. Invest in Women Athletes

• Buy merchandise & tickets for women’s teams.
  
• Follow women athletes on social media: boosting their visibility.
  

4. Inspire the Next Generation

• Share articles, highlights, and stories that showcase women’s athletic excellence.

• Highlight women athletes as role models in classrooms and community spaces.
  

5. Use Your Voice

• Challenge stereotypes when you hear people downplay women’s sports.
  
• Celebrate achievements of women athletes with the same enthusiasm given to men’s sports.
  

As debates about education and equity continue, we must remember that policies like Title IX don’t just live in history books. They live in the lives of students who, like me, found their way to college and beyond because someone believed women’s opportunities mattered. Protecting Title IX means protecting the next generation of leaders, scholars, and athletes who are ready to step up and say: Together, we can ensure each and every student hears the message I once needed to hear: “¡Sí Se Puede.” Yes we can!

Priscilla Grijalva is a seasoned high school counselor in California. She has 21 years of experience at the middle, high school, and university levels. With a passion for equity, she has served on a national school counseling board, her district equity team, and various national committees to have a voice to support each and every student.  Priscilla has presented at various state and national conferences and has been a main stage speaker at the National Association for College Admissions Counseling Conference, as well as a keynote speaker at the University of Redlands School Counselors of Color Commencement Ceremony. She was honored as a Distinguished Educator by the U.S. Air Force, was named the 2022 National Life Changer of the Year, the 2023 California Woman of the Year, and a 2025 Bezos Educator Scholar.