University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
50 Years of Title IX: From Player, to Coach to Administration: Betsy Blose
02.24.2022 | Athletics News
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – On June 13, 1972, Title IX, also referred to as the Equal Opportunity in Education Act was signed into law, stating, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
As we celebrate the 50th year of Title IX, Bulldog Athletics will look to honor and acknowledge the lasting impact it has had on education and athletics. After January’s story on Athletic Director Janet Cone, the second installment of our Title IX series features a familiar face for all Bulldog fans: (Coach) Betsy Blose.
Growing up in Rockingham County Virginia, Blose was raised (by parents Bill and Ellen Blose) on a dairy farm alongside her six sisters. Blose always had a passion for sports, but did not always have the opportunity to play.
On Wanting to Play Sports as a Kid
“There was no organized sports for girls when I was growing up. I would just throw a tennis ball against the side of a house and catch it in a glove that was my Dad’s, pretending I caught the last out to win the game. Or I would put on a football helmet and run around dreaming I couldn’t get caught. In my mind and heart, I would always leave the yard scoring the winning touchdown. In sixth grade, I actually got to play on a real team…a boy’s little league baseball team. Another girl, Sharon Hockman was on that team with me and she was better than all the boys. I will never forget Sharon Hockman.”
As Blose got to middle school, she was finally able to compete in organized sports.
On When She started Playing Organized Sports
“In seventh grade, the middle school created a girls basketball team, we played a total of four games. It was better than no games. In 8th grade, we went 8-0 and I fell in love with the game of basketball! I played JV in my 9th-grade year, and varsity 10th-12th with two of my sisters. Some of the best days of my life.”
Blose would go on to receive a basketball scholarship from nearby James Madison University (1980-84). The University began giving scholarships in the late 1970s for women’s sports. Blose would graduate in 1984 with a degree in Kinesiology, attaining her Master’s in Kinesiology and Adult Fitness in 1991.
In 8th grade, we went 8-0 and I fell in love with the game of basketball! I played JV in my 9th-grade year, and varsity 10th-12th with two of my sisters. Some of the best days of my life.
On Her Plans after Graduation
“I always knew I wanted to be a (basketball) coach. My summer jobs in college were working as a basketball camp counselor. I got paid a little money doing something I love. Right out of college, I got a teaching and coaching job at Altavista High School near Lynchburg, Virginia. I was the head girls’ basketball coach…we went 69-5! I loved teaching and mentoring young people and I loved to win too.”
Blose would return to a familiar place, serving as an assistant coach at James Madison for eight years before being hired as the head coach at Shepherd University (West Virginia) for seven years.
Blose lands in Asheville
“In 2002, I was hired to be the head coach at UNC Asheville. I didn’t know a soul in Asheville. We were in a rebuild with the program and in our 5th year, in 2007, we won the Big South Conference Championship – the first in school history! What a journey this was and to share it with the players, coaches, staff, friends and family on our home court. One of my favorite all-time memories.”
Blose would guide the Bulldogs for 10 years, remaining in Asheville when she shifted into Athletics Administration in 2012. Blose is currently the all-time winningest coach in program history at UNC Asheville.
...in our 5th year, in 2007, we won the Big South Conference Championship – the first in school history! What a journey this was and to share it with the players, coaches, staff, friends and family on our home court. One of my favorite all-time memories.”
In addition to fundraising and a multitude of other responsibilities Blose has undertaken since working the Bulldog Athletics Department, one program in particular is a bit of a passion project for Coach Blose – Our Turn to Play.
The Our Turn to Play Program
“The Our Turn to Play program and event, may be one of my favorites. It always has been. I have been at UNC Asheville for 20 years as a coach and staff member. I attended it as a table host (coach) for 10 years and now as the lead person on putting this event on, it means even more. Its message, its purpose, the name of the event itself…Our Turn to Play has so much meaning behind it! I didn’t get the opportunity “to play” organized sports when I was young. Now little girls are. I am proud to be a part of that. To witness it every day.”
On Seeing Title IX’s impact Grow
“Over my years, I certainly could see the impact that Title IX had. I am blessed to have been growing up/in my prime and active years when the law was passed and there became the same opportunities as the men. We never went without either at JMU or Shepherd University. I always had what I needed. If we traveled in vans, the men did too. If we had one set of sweats, the men only had one set. I never felt cheated or left out. JMU was a special place too because in the beginning it was an all-women’s college…Madison College.”
On the Future for Women’s Athletics
“Now, the women are still fighting for similar TV coverage or salaries in various sports today, but it is getting there. One day at a time. People care now and are paying attention to it. The challenge it to keep paying attention. At UNC Asheville, we care and we definitely pay attention. I love all the many great things we do at UNC Asheville and in Athletics to promote equity, diversity and inclusion. I am proud to be a Bulldog.”
Calling it a Career
Asheville student-athletes, staff, family and friends have been very fortunate to call Blose a Bulldog for all these years, but in May of 2022, Coach Blose plans to “hang up her whistle” and retire. Her infectious energy and passion towards UNC Asheville Athletics and its student-athletes will be missed, but she will most certainly be a Bulldog for life.