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 sixth 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, All-American soccer player Courtney Ryan, who later became a member of Team USA in wheelchair basketball, is recognized.
 
Ryan was an All-American for MSU Denver in 2009 who is still among the program's all-time leaders with 22 career assists.
 
But her career was cut short when she was injured during a 2010 game, paralyzing her from the waist down.
 
She moved home to her native California and soon began playing wheelchair basketball, quickly earning a scholarship to the University of Arizona where she played the sport, earned her degree and is now an assistant coach.
 
She has played for the U.S. National Team for several years and helped Team USA to a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games in 2021 in Tokyo.