Fresh off a successful inaugural season with Athletes Unlimited and a perfect 2-0 sweep with Team USA in the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament, Kelsey Mitchell is feeling good as she prepares for the 2022 WNBA season with the Indiana Fever.

This year is incredibly unique because it’s the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, a landmark legislation for gender equality in education and athletics.

Prior to 1972, gender discrimination was commonplace in education and athletics. Physical activity for girls and women was cast as unfeminine, and while schools poured money and other resources into programs for male students, budding female athletes were left to fend for themselves. That all changed when Congress passed Title IX on June 23 that year.

“I am really grateful for how far we have come, but also aware of how far we have to go,” Mitchell replied. “I understand that these opportunities were paved for me to be here. So, now I must continue to pave more ways for the ones who are coming behind me.”

While Title IX is mostly discussed in terms of athletics, it applies to all aspects of education. It prohibits gender discrimination for boys or girls in educational programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

For Mitchell, the importance of education was instilled in her from a young age not only by her parents, but also by her grandfather, who passed away in 2020.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Ohio State in 2018, she made the decision to continue her education virtually at the University of Cincinnati. In early August of 2020, she once again saw her hard work pay off with a master’s degree in Sports Administration.

Now she has set her sights on a new goal, acquiring her PhD at the University of Miami.

“I applied to the University of Miami,” Mitchell shared with a smile. “Hopefully all goes well, but I did it because the ball will stop bouncing one day. And when it stops, I’ll be prepared not only for myself, but for the next generation.”

“It’s one thing to go to school, but to be able to apply and utilize what you learn personally and with others is important.”