Dr. Ruth Alexander (front row center in blue) is surrounded by coaches and student-athletes at the 25th Anniversary of Florida Women's Athletics banquet held in September of 1996. Alexander, who played a key role in establishing the UF women's athletics program, receives the 2020 Nike Lifetime Achievement Award from Women Leaders in College Sports.
Dr. Ruth Alexander Receives 2020 Nike Lifetime Achievement Award
Tuesday, September 1, 2020 | General
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A key advocate in establishing the University of Florida's women's athletics program, Dr. Ruth Alexander receives the 2020 Nike Lifetime Achievement Award from Women Leaders in College Sports.
The Women Leaders in College Sports convention is virtual this year due to coronavirus. The award winners will be celebrated via social media throughout the month of September with Dr. Alexander's fete scheduled for Sept. 18.
Alexander began her tenure at the University of Florida (UF) in 1969. There, she earned the title of Distinguished Professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences in 1987; an elite ranking that fewer than 10 women have ever received at UF. She was also named Chairman of the Department of Physical Education for Women during her tenure.
Well regarded by her peers, Dr. Alexander was encouraged to pursue funding for a women's sports program at the University of Florida. At that time, female students comprised over 40 percent of the student body. Notably Coach Mimi Ryan (golf) and Dr. Paula Welch urged her to meet with Gator Athletic Director, Ray Graves, to propose their vision and seek his endorsement. Dr. Alexander obtained the needed approval and processes to finish the work she had started. Before this, no opportunities existed for women to participate in intercollegiate athletics. In March 1972 the committee on intercollegiate athletics granted her approval to establish the "Lady Gator Athletics" program for the coming academic year. This marked an important moment in history, as Title IX was not yet implemented, and would not follow until three months later, and no other school in the Southeastern Conference had yet to accomplish funding a women's program.
Dr. Alexander chose to be called program coordinator instead of women's athletic director, despite her leadership of the UF program from its inception for the 1972-73 season until 1981. Starting with five teams (golf, gymnastics, tennis, swimming, track & field), the department was given a total budget of $16,000 to start. By the time of her retirement as coordinator, the program had grown to eight sports, many of which were consistently ranked in the nation's top five. The women's swimming team won the 1979 AIAW national championship.
Alexander's work in academia and higher education spans 40 years. Dr. Alexander testified in front of the United States Congress about the importance of funding for female sports to help push Title IX. She was the first woman appointed to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports by President Nixon, and then reappointed by Presidents Ford, Carter and Reagan.
In 1987, the National Association of Sport and Physical Education inducted her to its Hall of Fame and joined the UF Athletics Hall of Fame as an honorary letterwinner. She is a founding member of the Florida Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and was appointed/reappointed to the Council by four different Governors. She developed an exchange degree program in Sport Management between UF and the University of Loughborough in England.
She retired in June 2004 from UF after 36 years with the rank of Emeritus. She is the author of eight books, including co-authoring "Lady Gators…Simply the Best" with Dr. Welch.
Scott Carter: Alexander's Impact on Women's Athletics Worth Remembering 9-19-20
The Women Leaders in College Sports convention is virtual this year due to coronavirus. The award winners will be celebrated via social media throughout the month of September with Dr. Alexander's fete scheduled for Sept. 18.
Alexander began her tenure at the University of Florida (UF) in 1969. There, she earned the title of Distinguished Professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences in 1987; an elite ranking that fewer than 10 women have ever received at UF. She was also named Chairman of the Department of Physical Education for Women during her tenure.
Well regarded by her peers, Dr. Alexander was encouraged to pursue funding for a women's sports program at the University of Florida. At that time, female students comprised over 40 percent of the student body. Notably Coach Mimi Ryan (golf) and Dr. Paula Welch urged her to meet with Gator Athletic Director, Ray Graves, to propose their vision and seek his endorsement. Dr. Alexander obtained the needed approval and processes to finish the work she had started. Before this, no opportunities existed for women to participate in intercollegiate athletics. In March 1972 the committee on intercollegiate athletics granted her approval to establish the "Lady Gator Athletics" program for the coming academic year. This marked an important moment in history, as Title IX was not yet implemented, and would not follow until three months later, and no other school in the Southeastern Conference had yet to accomplish funding a women's program.
Dr. Alexander chose to be called program coordinator instead of women's athletic director, despite her leadership of the UF program from its inception for the 1972-73 season until 1981. Starting with five teams (golf, gymnastics, tennis, swimming, track & field), the department was given a total budget of $16,000 to start. By the time of her retirement as coordinator, the program had grown to eight sports, many of which were consistently ranked in the nation's top five. The women's swimming team won the 1979 AIAW national championship.
Alexander's work in academia and higher education spans 40 years. Dr. Alexander testified in front of the United States Congress about the importance of funding for female sports to help push Title IX. She was the first woman appointed to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports by President Nixon, and then reappointed by Presidents Ford, Carter and Reagan.
In 1987, the National Association of Sport and Physical Education inducted her to its Hall of Fame and joined the UF Athletics Hall of Fame as an honorary letterwinner. She is a founding member of the Florida Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and was appointed/reappointed to the Council by four different Governors. She developed an exchange degree program in Sport Management between UF and the University of Loughborough in England.
She retired in June 2004 from UF after 36 years with the rank of Emeritus. She is the author of eight books, including co-authoring "Lady Gators…Simply the Best" with Dr. Welch.
Scott Carter: Alexander's Impact on Women's Athletics Worth Remembering 9-19-20
Norm Carlson Looks Back – Dr. Ruth Alexander 6-1-04
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