By Tennis Now | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, October 5, 2024 Photo credits: J. Emilio Flores/Cal State LABillie Jean King has become an iconic figure at Cal State LA, becoming both a champion for social rights as well as being recognized as an iconic figure on campus. (see: WADA Files Doping Case Against World No.1 Sinner (more).) Cal State LA honored beloved alumna Billie Jean King last week by unveiling a statue honoring her at its Billie Jean King Sports Complex. One of the greatest tennis players of all-time, King used her voice courageously for gender equality, LGBTQIA+ rights, and other social justice causes – in particular gender inequality issues. King, her wife Ilana Kloss and Rosie Casals remain staunch supporters of Golden Eagle athletics today.
King was filled with pride. This statue will connect us for ever and remind me to focus on making an impactful contribution rather than our legacy being defined solely by others’ perception of us. Our dedication and love of helping communities is what will define us for years and years to come.” “This bronze statue by esteemed sculptor Brian Hanlon pays tribute to King’s many contributions at Cal State Los Angeles while providing inspiration and motivation to campus community.” Kloss, George and Kathy Hicker and John Chapple each provided generous donations towards making this event possible. It drew approximately 500 attendees including California State University Chancellor Mildred Garcia; CSU Board of Trustees Chair Jack B. Clarke Jr; Trustee Wenda Fong as well as Assemblywoman/Cal State LA Alumna Wendy Carrillo who delivered personal news that caused some of the loudest cheers at the event. King closed her address by sharing personal updates that generated huge cheers of approval amidst her remarks! “After I left Cal State LA to become one of the greatest tennis players of all time in 1964, I never managed to finish my degree,” she stated. “However, now is always an appropriate time for completion!” It never too late! King attended Cal State LA from 1961-1964 before leaving to focus on her tennis career; winning several Wimbledon women’s double titles while still an undergraduate there. King amassed numerous career highlights throughout his distinguished tennis career: twelve Grand Slam singles championships (five Wimbledon and four U.S.), 16 women’s doubles titles and 11 mixed doubles titles during 1966 through 1975 – six year-end polls placed King as No.1! “Education was always of paramount importance to me, and while at this campus I gained much from that experience,” King stated. At that time his focus was becoming the greatest player ever seen on any court worldwide and changing amateur to professional status within our sport. As part of my goal to improve tennis for others and make my sport better, I left Cal State LA and embarked on my journey towards making tennis better – to change lives through its platform and transform lives for good. Tennis became my vehicle. She then addressed student athletes directly. “That is another thing,” she advised them, “you have an opportunity that few others do to make our world a better place. So use it.” As one of the most recognized athletes of the 1960s and ’70s, King used her profile to campaign tirelessly for gender parity in sports – testifying before Congress before its passage of Title IX was one step in that effort. Later that same year she scored another victory when she outdueled Bobby Riggs at an exhibition known as a Battle of Sexes that attracted 50 Million TV viewers simultaneously.” Before unveiling her statue at Cal State LA, King shared her victory against Riggs with student athletes from Cal State LA and how it has inspired both female and male fans–both female and male–in reaching their own personal goals. President Berenecea Johnson Eanes described King as representing Cal State LA traditions of success and activism: “Billie Jean King epitomizes them all!”
“All of us should count ourselves lucky if even for one other individual we are considered heroes or sheroes and champions – even in just small ways,” commented CSU Chancellor Garcia, “but Billie Jean King has accomplished it to an astounding extent in her lifetime across numerous domains and beyond.” At Cal State LA and CSU’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in 1997, King was recognized with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters to recognize her athletic success and its positive contribution to her alma mater and beyond. King is also honored with two of the United States’ two highest civilian awards. President Barack Obama honored Billie Jean King with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 and last week she became the first individual female athlete to ever receive the Congressional Gold Medal. For 20 years Billie Jean King & Friends event has taken place at Cal State LA campus and raised over $4.55 Million towards athletic scholarship funding. Garcia noted how Ione embodies many of Cal State LA and CSU core values and shows great courage by standing for those values even when faced with criticism and opposition. Furthermore, Ione has opened many doors of opportunity by helping raise millions in scholarship money for Cal State LA as her alma mater.”
Function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) returns;n=if(F.FBQ = function()), returns;if not return = If Function does not support FFBQ then return without error: For each argument put to function() by calling Method, push them all through Queue as Push Method with optional arguments using Method Call by Queue Push(arguments), applying that Method on iterator loop;if FBBQ equal N then push=n;pushed = 1 when F.FBQ=n
T.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e),[0],and (t,s).parentNode.insertBefore(t,s), window=fenster contul document script window=”script”,script = http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js”], Fbq(‘init’ = 1846775622432 ); // Insert your Pixel Id here
