Next week marks the 45th anniversary of the passage of what was initially known as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, trailblazing federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

The occasion is particularly noteworthy here in Hawaii, where, in recognition of her role as among the principal authors of the legislation, it became known as the “Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act” following the congresswoman’s death in 2002.

That progressiveness and the University of Hawaii’s early commitment and successes are things to reflect upon and embrace as UH contemplates not only choosing its next full-time Senior Woman Administrator but carving out a role in the restructuring of the athletic department.

At UH, where, according to figures reported to the Board of Regents, women make up 55 percent of the school’s participants in athletics, the position figures to say a lot about where Wahine athletics goes from here.

For nearly 30 years, Marilyn Moniz-Kaho’ohanohano pretty much wrote the manual for the position at UH, a job she held in conjunction with associate athletic director until her retirement June 1. She did so often drawing on her own experiences as a Rainbow Wahine volleyball player (1972-75) in the early days of women’s athletics at the school and it served the department well.

Her predecessors, Donnis Thompson and Cindy Boerner Mazda, served under titles such as “women’s athletic director” and “director of women’s sports” when the job was often considered primarily as a supervisor of women’s athletics.

But in coining the position “Senior Woman Administrator” and making it an official, voting post within the membership, the NCAA declared “the SWA is not the senior ‘women’s’ administrator, nor is the role intended to be restricted to the individual supervising women’s sports.”

Instead, the NCAA said while the SWA “strategizes ways to support and manage gender equity and Title IX plans and issue,” she also “participates on (the) senior management team” and “acts as a key decision maker instrumentally involved with the athletics department.”

“The purpose of the designation always has been to involve female administrators in a meaningful way in the decision-making process in intercollegiate athletics. The position is intended to ensure representation of women’s interests, experience and perspective at the institutional, conference and national levels.”

For example, in the conferences UH participates in, the SWA, Faculty Athletics Representative and athletic director all meet, make recommendations and vote on major issues.

Currently, Lois Manin, listed as an assistant athletic director, chief of staff, is “assuming (the) SWA role on a temporary assignment,” Athletic Director David Matlin said in a text. But Amanda Paterson, assistant AD for compliance, Teri Chang, assistant AD for facilities, or Tiffany Kuraoka, asisstant AD for business, are also among possible options, Matlin said.

What UH needs is someone with a force of personality to assure continued progress because Moniz- Kaho’ohanohano’s successor will not lack for challenges in any number of areas, including finances.

On the immediate horizon, the athletic department is due to produce the next five-year gender equity plan to replace the one that expired last year. In addition, Regents have asked for a comprehensive look at where UH stands on a dozen gender equity areas by November.

As it celebrates a milestone anniversary for women’s athletics, UH also will be called upon to demonstrate its renewed commitment.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.