University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
50 Years of Title IX: Melanie Fox - An Asheville Success Story
03.24.2022 | 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 our first two installments on Athletics Director Janet Cone and (Coach) Betsy Blose, this month we feature Melanie Fox.
A native of Canton, North Carolina, Fox is a familiar face around Asheville, competing for the women’s basketball team in the 1980s and is currently the Interim Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at UNC Asheville.
On Her Roots
“I grew up in a small town about 30 minutes west of Asheville, called Canton, North Carolina. I was lucky to live within the context of a close-knit family. My dad was a radio announcer and my mom was the Vice President of a bank. It was great growing up in a small town with all of my relatives within a few miles of each other.”
A sports fan through and through, Fox was particularly drawn to the game of basketball growing up.
On Female Sports when she was Growing Up
“I did play a lot of sports growing up, predominantly volleyball and basketball, but basketball was always my heartbeat. I loved to go outside and shoot hoops - especially during halftimes of college basketball games I was watching. It wasn't like today where there were travel teams to play on, so you were really only playing during the season and whenever you could get involved in a pickup game. But I ate it up, I loved playing basketball more than doing anything. My high school team was competitive, and I loved being able to win most of the times we played.”
I did play a lot of sports growing up, predominantly volleyball and basketball, but basketball was always my heartbeat. I loved to go outside and shoot hoops.
Fox would start her collegiate career at nearby Warren Wilson College, but after two years, the team would disband, leading her to UNC Asheville.
On ending up at Asheville
“UNC Asheville had just turned Division I the year before I came...The coach offered me a scholarship and I was blown away by the opportunity to be playing for a Division I school, especially at my size, (I'm 5'0" tall). The women's team had won the NAIA national championship just a few years earlier and I had followed that team closely, so playing at UNC Asheville was like a dream come true for me!”
While a lot of memories were made as a student-athlete, one game in particular stands out in Fox’s mind.
“One of my favorite memories was a game we played against Radford University in their home gym. Ralph Sampson, (he was a 7'4" center and all American at the University of Virginia in the 80s), had a sister who was well over 6'0" tall who played for Radford, and I took two charges from her during that game. One of the charges left me without one of my front teeth as I caught her elbow right in the mouth!”
To nobody’s surprise, Fox was the true definition of a student-athlete, excelling both on and off the court.
Scholar-Athlete of the Year
I have to say that my proudest moment likely took place off the court, however. Being a student-athlete is a time-consuming challenge that requires a great deal of desire and discipline. I was privileged to win the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award during my senior year, which was the award given to the athlete with the highest GPA. I was very proud of that award.”
The professional world was calling, so Fox pursued a graduate degree in art at Western Carolina while getting her teaching certification from UNC Asheville so she could eventually be an art teacher.
Life After Asheville
“It was hectic being in both schools at the same time, but was worth it to get both degrees. It was difficult to find a teaching job, so I had maintained a friendship at UNC Asheville with my former supervisor. She shared that there was a Resident Director/Outdoor Program Coordinator position open on campus and that I should apply. Needless to say, I got the job and that was my first start at UNC Asheville back in 1992!”
Despite being at her alma mater, Fox still wanted to be a teacher, so when she finally landed a teaching job in town, she was thankful for her time at UNC Asheville but ready to move on – or so she thought.
Bulldog for Life
“The day before starting the (teaching) job, I had this overwhelming feeling that UNC Asheville was where I was supposed to be. So, I went and begged for my position back. Luckily, they said yes, and the rest is history, I've been here ever since.”
In addition to seeing the campus grow – Fox is in her 30th year on Asheville’s campus - Fox has also seen the impact that Title IX has had on college athletics.
On the Growth with regards to Title IX
“I've seen amazing strides with regards to Title IX over the years. Female athletics is much more in the forefront than it was when I was in school. There's equity that exists and that equity causes consistency between men and women's sports that didn't exist years ago. It's great to see the women of today reaping the benefits of the work of so many great women pioneers, especially as it relates to basketball.”
