DENVER – Title IX, the groundbreaking law prohibiting sex-based discrimination at schools that receive funding from the federal government, went into effect just over 50 years ago – on June 23, 1972.
 
MSU Denver has for decades been a leader in providing equal opportunities for women in intercollegiate athletics. Today is the fifth installment of a 52-part tribute by Roadrunners Athletics to pioneers and leaders in intercollegiate athletics at MSU Denver.
 
Each Thursday, a key female figure in Roadrunners athletics history will be recognized.
 
Today, standout volleyball player Verna Julaton is recognized.
 
Julaton was a two-time All-Continental Divide Conference first team selection and was the CDC Most Valuable Player in 1988 when she also earned AVCA first team all-region. She was also honored for her all-around athletic ability by the Sportswomen of Colorado.
 
Julaton is in her eighth season at Division I Charlotte, where she is currently the associate head coach. She got her start in coaching at MSU Denver as an assistant for five seasons and has also coached at Air Force and Alabama State.

Primarily a setter, she had 2,703 assists and an 8.98 per-set average in two seasons. When not playing volleyball, Julaton was a three-year starter on the Roadrunners' women's basketball team, scoring a total of 453 points.

Julaton was inducted into the MSU Denver Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998.