Nancy Hogshead
North Carolina Beta
Olympic Swimmer and Civil Rights Lawyer
Nancy’s notable swimming career began at age 12 when she qualified for the U.S. Senior Nationals and held the national age-group record in the 200 individual medley. Though undefeated through high school and college dual meets, Nancy eventually took a step back from swimming after being sexually assaulted in 1981. After encouragement from her coach, she returned to the sport and competed for the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where she won three gold medals and one silver medal, becoming the most decorated swimmer at the Games. In honor of her accomplishments, she has earned major awards including the prestigious Kiphuth Award, given to America’s best all-around swimmer nationally. Nancy has also been inducted into 11 sports Halls of Fame.
After competing in the Olympics, she interned at the Women’s Sports Foundation and went on to serve on the organization’s board of trustees from 1987 to 1993 and as its president from 1993 to 1994. She then received her J.D. degree and represented student-athletes and universities in Title IX matters. From 2004-2012 she was the co-chair of the American Bar Association Committee on the Rights of Women and in 2007 she co-edited the book, “Equal Play; Title IX and Social Change” with economist Andrew Zimbalist.
With her background in law and passion for women’s rights, Nancy founded and became CEO of Champion Women in 2014, a nonprofit providing legal advocacy for girls and women in sports. Champion Women’s mission is to protect athletes from sexual abuse while also focusing on equal play, employment, pregnancy, sexual orientation discrimination and more. Nancy is also a frequent keynote speaker, serves in various leadership roles and regularly contributes to national and international sport policy.
Nancy was initiated in 1982.
