American Women's Track and Field, 1981–2000 (PDF)

In 1895 the Vassar College Athletic Association ignored the constraints placed on women athletes of that era and held its first-ever women's field day, featuring competition in five track and field events. Soon colleges across the country were offering women the opportunity to compete. Much has changed for collegiate track and field programs over time, particularly in recent years. A full program of distance events was added to the 1984 Olympic's schedule culminating in the marathon; by the year 2000, women were throwing the hammer, running the steeplechase, triple jumping and pole vaulting. Today, many await the replacement of the heptathlon with the decathlon--when this change occurs, the men's and women's programs will finally be equal. This exhaustive history, a continuation of the first volume which covered the years 1895 through 1980, details every United States Olympic team, Olympic trial, national championship, Pan American Games and other significant meets involving American women in track and field events from 1981 through 2000. Almost 50 unique interviews with outstanding athletes and coaches, more than 100 photographs, a listing of enshrinees in the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, listings of major award winners and New York Marathon winners, and an extensive bibliography and index are included.