UC Davis experts: Gender Equity and Title IX

The following UC Davis staff and faculty members are available to speak on topics related to gender equity in intercollegiate athletics and compliance with Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sexual discrimination in educational programs, athletics and other activities that receive federal funding.

• Administering a Division I school
• Intercollegiate athletics: The big picture  
• UC Davis and Title IX today
• History of Title IX compliance
• Academics and athletics
• Coaching women athletes

Administering a Division I school

As UC Davis’ chancellor, Larry Vanderhoef is ultimately responsible for the campus’s compliance with all laws and regulations, including NCAA rules and federal Title IX regulations. “UC Davis has a history of commitment to its female athletes and coaches and to expanding opportunities for women in competitive sports," says Vanderhoef. "We are proud of the hard-earned reputation of our student-athletes and teacher-coaches, both in the classroom and on the field.” Vanderhoef has served as chancellor since 1994. He first came to UC Davis in 1984 as executive vice chancellor, after four years as provost at the University of Maryland, College Park. He has a doctorate in plant biochemistry from Purdue University, along with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Contact: Maril Stratton, Offices of the Chancellor and Provost, (530) 752-9566, .

Intercollegiate athletics: The big picture

Under Director of Athletics Greg Warzecka, UC Davis has been a leader in federal Title IX compliance, compiling an enviable record of participation opportunities for women, athletic aid distribution, the number of sports offered and overall equity.  UC Davis won Sports Illustrated for Women’s awardtwo years in a rowfor the best women’s athletic program in Division II, in 1999 and 2000, acknowledging the equity and excellence of the women's program. Before turning to administration, Warzecka had been a successful baseball coach, first as an assistant at his alma mater, UC Berkeley, then as head coach at San Francisco State University, and then at the University of Chicago, where he also served his first post as a director of men's athletics. Contact: Amie Smith, assistant to the athletics director, (530) 752-4557, .

UC Davis and Title IX today

Nona Richardson, the senior associate athletic director/ senior woman administrator, has direct responsibility for overseeing all facets of compliance, student academic support services, sports medicine, strength and conditioning programs and five sports programs. Richardson came to UC Davis earlier this year from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. She has 28 years of intercollegiate athletics experience as a student-athlete, coach and administrator.  “Throughout my entire athletic career,” Richardson says, “I’ve been immersed in all rules and regulations related to athletics.” Contact: Nona Richardson, Intercollegiate Athletics, (530) 752-8669, .

History of Title IX compliance

Pam Gill-Fisher, the former senior associate athletic director at UC Davis, says that achieving gender equity “is not easy but important, and UC Davis has been committed from the beginning.” Before stepping down as an administrator in December 2006 to return to the classroom, Gill-Fisher also served as the athletics program’s NCAA Senior Woman Administrator, a role that benefited from her dedication to the tenets of Title IX. In 2003-04 she served as president of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA).  In 2002, then-Assemblywoman Helen Thomson (D-Davis) named Gill-Fisher as the 8th Assembly District Woman of the Year for her many contributions to women’s sports. Gill-Fisher is enshrined in the school's athletic hall of fame as a five-sport athlete. She excelled in basketball, softball, volleyball, tennis and field hockey from 1967-72. During her time at UC Davis, Gill-Fisher has coached basketball, volleyball and, most recently, tennis. She directed the Aggies to the NCAA Division II National Championship in women's tennis in 1990. Contact: Pam Gill-Fisher, Physical Education, (530) 752-7510, .

Academics and athletics

Professor Kim Elsbach of the Graduate School of Management is the faculty athletics representative at UC Davis. "My primary role is to protect the academic mission of the campus and make sure academic goals and ideals are not forgotten in athletics decision-making," said the professor of organizational behavior. Elsbach is UC Davis' representative to the Big West Conference and its appointed delegate to the conventions and other NCAA activities. Among other responsibilities, she certifies eligibility for all student athletes for conference and NCAA competition, practice and financial aid. A member of the athletics administrative advisory committee since 2003, Elsbach is an active master's swimmer, marathon runner and triathlete. She was a member of the varsity swim team at the University of Iowa. Contact: Kim Elsbach, Graduate School of Management, (530) 752-0910, .

Coaching women athletes

UC Davis women's track-and-field coach Deanne Vochatzer has the distinction of having been named the head coach of the U.S. women's track-and-field team at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She served as director of competition for the 2000 track-and-field Olympic trials in Sacramento and was inducted into the U.S. Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2002. Contact: Deanne Vochatzer, Track, (530) 752-5057, .

Media contacts:

• Mike Robles, Intercollegiate Athletics, (530) 752-3680,
• Mitchel Benson, News Service, (530) 752-9844,

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