Conversations with the President: Coach Patty Gasso and the 50th Anniversary of Title IX

President Joe Harroz is joined by six-time national champion coach Patty Gasso of the OU women’s softball team to discuss the recent run of consecutive national championships and celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Title IX’s impact has been felt throughout the country, but at OU it has had a special legacy that continues to grow.
(0:00) Harroz discusses the history and impact of Title IX for institutions across the country as well as the successful history of OU’s women’s athletic teams over the years.
(5:08) Patty Gasso joins
(6:48) Gasso’s background
(7:50) 50 years of Title IX and Gasso’s thoughts on the impact it’s had
(8:40) Gasso reflects on her history as OU’s head coach
(9:38) Gasso reflects on Pat Summit and dives into her desire to fight for women’s equality in sports
(12:34) On if Gasso feels a burden by being the best at her sport
(17:00) Gasso on how she conducts herself as a teacher with her players
(18:00) Gasso answers a question from former OU football coach Bob Stoops
(20:33) How the modern athletes are different emotionally and physically than from Gasso’s earlier career
(22:45) On how NIL affects the modern athlete in softball and Gasso’s thoughts on the transfer portal
(27:15) Gasso on teaching her players to play for something larger than themselves
(33:18) Harroz’s closing remarks
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