Karen Isbell

“I was seven years old when Title IX came forth and was busy playing ball with the boys in my neighborhood. I’m not sure of specific things that may have come about from Title IX but I do remember being a cheerleader and watching the boys play flag football and thinking to myself that I was better than a lot of them. At that time, girls could not play flag football. Eventually, they did let us start playing baseball with the boys and God blessed me to be a starting little league pitcher who led my team to the championship series. I pitched the first game and we won and then I had to turn around and pitch the next game and ended up throwing my arm out. We lost that game and were runners-up, but I can still remember how much it hurt because I was already so competitive as a youth.

I was blessed to be able to play various sports all throughout my school years and I’m sure that was a benefit of the Title IX legislature. I was offered basketball scholarships and again I’m sure that was a product of Title IX. I did not end up playing college basketball after accepting an academic scholarship to UNC-Chapel Hill and failing to walk on my freshman year.

I started coaching when my son was five years old so I have coached in some capacity for over 30 years. I have coached co-ed and girls’ recreation teams, middle school girls, high school girls, and currently it is my 15th year coaching my Red Foxes Senior ladies. I just finished my 21st year as a high school teacher at my alma mater. It has been great to give back to the community and school where I grew up.

I could not wait to turn 50 so I could participate in the Senior Games and this is my eighth year. It was great to finally be able to compete in sports again. I am so thankful for those female Pioneers who helped bring about our North Carolina Senior Games. Title IX gave them the opportunities necessary to become the awesome women they are!”

Karen Isbell is an NC Senior Games participant, Red Foxes Basketball team member, and NCSG Board Member.