Because of Title IX: Tamica Smith Jones

Director of Athletics, University of California, Riverside

Finish this sentence: “Because of Title IX..."

I was afforded the opportunity to play sports at a young age and oftentimes was the only girl on the basketball court. As a youngster, I didn’t know how many opportunities sports would present, but as a recruited high-school scholar athlete, I quickly realized it would gain me access and affordability to college. Throughout my career in sport, I been fortunate to crack ceilings as a senior woman administrator and now one of few women athletic directors in Division I. It is because of Title IX and those who paved the way before me I take seriously my role and responsibility to champion women aspiring to be leaders in college sports. It takes a lot of courage and confidence as a leading lady in a male-dominated profession, but I am conscious to be a model with charisma and class now that I have a seat at the table. 

How have the athletic and academic opportunities afforded to you because of Title IX impacted your life? Can you imagine your life without them?

I can’t imagine my life without athletics and the academic opportunities it afforded me. As the first in my family to finish college, my journey encouraged my mother to go back to earn her degree at 50 years old. She was the one person that pushed me toward higher education when she and my maternal grandmother only had high-school diplomas. It’s because of sport that many limitations were lifted in my pursuit of higher education. I am always grateful of the fact that I was able to earn my degree without debt as a full scholarship student athlete. In 2006, I self-published my first book “A Ball and a Dream” as an illustration of hope for scholar athletes regarding how sport or any talent can aid you in reaching your aspirations.

Tell us about a woman who championed you in pursuing your goals. How did her influence inspire or affect you and your career?

All of my middle, high school, and AAU years I was coached by men, however, I was highly recruited by Hall of Fame Coach Kathy Russell at Troy University to play for then head coach Joyce Sorrell. Even today Coach K, as she is affectionately known, reaches out to check on me and encourage me in my journey now as an athletic director. The fact that she believed in my skills and smarts when I was not as mature and responsible as I have grown to be today compels me daily to be cognizant in correcting and showing compassion for many student-athletes I encounter on their journey.

Each of my coaches had a major impact and influence on my life in many different ways. When I transferred from Troy University to Alabama A&M University, I remember my coach, the late Press Parham, instilling a confidence in me that I would never deny. He told me in the locker room one day, “you’re our shooter and I need you to shoot. It doesn’t matter how many you miss." Then he looked at the team and said, “get her the ball.” From that day forward I don’t recall how many shots I missed, but I knew one thing: I would never make it in life if I didn’t try. With that, I have raised my hand in my career for opportunities I wasn’t quite prepared for. But my mentors who have guided me and presidents who have trusted me with their athletic programs have seen on-the-job training pay off with champions in the class, on the courts and fields, and in the community. I credit a lot of who I am in this profession to my coaches who pushed me to the max and did not allow me to make excuses.

How are you continuing to champion the next generation of women and girls in sports, and raise awareness on the importance Title IX?

I am continuing to champion the next generation of women by making myself available to share with them insight and experiences that have been instrumental in my advancement. For girls, like my daughter in sport, I try to encourage them to play for fitness and fun. In addition, it has always presented a chance to identify transferable skills and opportunities gained through sport that have benefited me in leadership. It has been so rewarding to have a responsibility in life that is impactful and allows you to enjoy a quality of life with my family and in communities.

One of my proudest moments was this year as a member of the NCAA D1 WBB Committee. I was chatting with one of the Final Four participants and sharing my journey as a scholar athlete, daughter, entrepreneur, coach, athletic administrator, mother, etc. As I do when opportunity permits, I encouraged her to think about attending graduate school after athletic eligibility. She stated she hadn’t thought about it.  But after the championship game, she sent me an email that said: Thank you for an amazing Final Four experience and you just don’t know I wasn’t planning to pursue graduate school, but after our talk you persuaded me. I look to get drafted or go overseas but have every intention to finish my advanced degree. Ultimately, like you, I want to build and own a sports facility.

Another rewarding way I am a part of championing the next generation is at my current institution. We host a 99 for Title IX fundraising event that is centered around supporting scholarships for female sports. It is a time we bring a very diverse group of community leaders and our women’s sports together to promote Title IX and what sport has done for so many of us as leaders. I am very proud to be at a university where we align closely with the spirit of law.

If you could send an empowering tweet to every woman and girl across the country, what would you send?

You have everything you need in you to succeed; now grow as you go and lift as you rise!

See all our #BecauseofTitleIX stories here! »
Because of TitleIX: Kiki Baker Barnes »
Because of Title IX: Chris Plonsky »