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Washington State Cougar Athletic Fund

Power of IX Excellence Fund

A Message from Ron Stone Jr. about Title IX

Editor's Note: Ron Stone Jr. is a redshirt junior edge rusher with the Washington State football team and is majoring in communication. 

The 2021 season marked a breakout year for Ron. He amassed 63 tackles, including leading the team in tackles for losses (11.5) and sacks (five). The successes Ron experienced in 2021 are not unique for his family. His two older sisters, Ronika and Ronna, competed at the University of Oregon. Ronika played volleyball and Ronna threw shot and discus for the track & field team.

As he prepares for the 2022 season and builds on his 2021 achievements, the 50th anniversary of Title IX is foremost in Ron’s thoughts. He shares his perspective about the importance of Title IX and how his sisters played a vital role in his athletics pursuits and successes.

Ron Stone family
Ron Stone
As a kid growing up, I knew I loved sports and I knew I had opportunity to play sports, that was not in question. Sports were the heart of my family and that is what we did together. Without Title IX, for my sisters, they may not have had the opportunity to play sports and my childhood might have looked a lot different. I know theirs would have.

My sisters’ success inspired me to improve my athletic ability. If they didn’t have that opportunity to compete, I would not have grown and learned from their hard work.

It is hard to believe that Title IX only happened 50 years ago. I am fortunate I am at Washington State University with such a rich history of Title IX and so many strong pioneers who paved the way. I love attending women’s sporting events and do everything I can to support them. They work just as hard, if not harder, than anyone else and they deserve respect. We have a long way to go there, too.

Through Title IX, women were given an opportunity to prove to the world that women deserve equal opportunity in sport and now there is more power in being a female athlete than ever before. Although we have made strides, progress still needs to forge ahead. I know for a fact that I wouldn’t be the athlete I am today because of how much I was pushed athletically by my sisters and their access to compete in the sports they love.
Ron Stone with sister Ronna2
Ron Stone Jr. and sister Ronna
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