University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Athletics Honors Kinlock Bell
2/3/2023 12:32:00 PM | General, Women's Basketball
The Definition of a Trailblazer, Bell Fought Tirelessly in the Effort of Southern Miss Women's Athletics
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss women's basketball recognizes Kinlock Bell, a trailblazer for Southern Miss women's sports, as its 2023 National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Bell fought legislation and discrimination in her multi-year fight to secure the rights of female athletes at The University of Southern Mississippi.
"Tonight we honored a trailblazer and a living legend," said Sonya Varnell. "The women of Southern Miss Athletics are forever grateful for her determination and commitment to women having the same athletic opportunities as men. Mrs. Bell laid the foundation that all future women's teams would be built upon."
In 1971, Bell, a professor in Southern Miss' College of Health and Human Performance, agreed to serve as the coach for three women's club teams: volleyball, basketball and softball after being approached by a group of interested female students. The teams funded all their expenses out of their own pocket, including uniforms and travel.
On June 23, 1972, President Nixon signed Title IX of the Civil Rights Act into law, prohibiting sex discrimination in any education program or activity receiving financial assistance. Bell discussed the new law with colleagues and decided to push the Athletics Department to add women's varsity sports.
The following fall, Bell met with Athletics Director, Roland Dale, to discuss the opportunity to add new women's sports. Dale declined to add any women's sports, citing lack of interest, participation and money. Bell reported the news to her teams and continued to press on.
Over the next three years, Bell and her athletes continued to use letter-writing campaigns and sit-in protests in order to keep their dream alive. After continued complaints about non-compliance with the Title IX legislation, the United States Department of Justice mandated all universities must comply with the law by 1975.
Dale, in accordance with the law, hired Bob McBee to coach the first varsity women's basketball team. Dale also added women's tennis despite there being no women on campus to play the sport.
Bell, unfortunately, received no consideration for either head coaching position but would later say she had no animosity about the situation and is just happy women now have the same opportunities as the men.
Two years later, Dale signed Kay James' contract to be the Women's Athletics Director and head coach of the Lady Eagles' basketball team. Bell's journey had accomplished its vision and she had finally broken the barrier.
"Tonight we honored a trailblazer and a living legend," said Sonya Varnell. "The women of Southern Miss Athletics are forever grateful for her determination and commitment to women having the same athletic opportunities as men. Mrs. Bell laid the foundation that all future women's teams would be built upon."
In 1971, Bell, a professor in Southern Miss' College of Health and Human Performance, agreed to serve as the coach for three women's club teams: volleyball, basketball and softball after being approached by a group of interested female students. The teams funded all their expenses out of their own pocket, including uniforms and travel.
On June 23, 1972, President Nixon signed Title IX of the Civil Rights Act into law, prohibiting sex discrimination in any education program or activity receiving financial assistance. Bell discussed the new law with colleagues and decided to push the Athletics Department to add women's varsity sports.
The following fall, Bell met with Athletics Director, Roland Dale, to discuss the opportunity to add new women's sports. Dale declined to add any women's sports, citing lack of interest, participation and money. Bell reported the news to her teams and continued to press on.
Over the next three years, Bell and her athletes continued to use letter-writing campaigns and sit-in protests in order to keep their dream alive. After continued complaints about non-compliance with the Title IX legislation, the United States Department of Justice mandated all universities must comply with the law by 1975.
Dale, in accordance with the law, hired Bob McBee to coach the first varsity women's basketball team. Dale also added women's tennis despite there being no women on campus to play the sport.
Bell, unfortunately, received no consideration for either head coaching position but would later say she had no animosity about the situation and is just happy women now have the same opportunities as the men.
Two years later, Dale signed Kay James' contract to be the Women's Athletics Director and head coach of the Lady Eagles' basketball team. Bell's journey had accomplished its vision and she had finally broken the barrier.
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