Leveling the playing field

2022 marked the 50th anniversary of Title IX – a legislative landmark that prevented sex-based discrimination across all federally funded education programs.

Best known for transforming women’s sports across the nation, the legislation opened new doors for female athletes, sports programs and athletics administrators.

Kenna Allen Gauche (Class of 2008, 2009) also marked her own anniversary last year - her first full year as Senior Associate Director of Athletics for External Affairs and Senior Woman Administrator.

The latter half of her role – Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) - serves to promote meaningful representation of women in athletics leadership and likely would have never come about were it not for the changes spurred by Title IX. The SWA position is not unique to MSU. The NCAA created the designation in 1981 – the same year it added women’s championships – to ensure women were fairly involved in the administration of college athletics across the country.

While women working in sports is more common than it was even 25 years ago, let alone 50, it’s still a widely maledominated field. But Gauche wasn’t afraid of the move. She thrives on a busy schedule. Many activities happening at once – juggling various tasks that would overwhelm any normal person – are where she shines. It’s what made this transition from her previous role as an event coordinator in alumni relations to her new position in athletics so seamless.

When first presented with the opportunity for career advancement and a move to athletics, she knew it was the right choice to accept. As close as MSU was to her heart, Morehead State Athletics was even closer.

You could say MSU is a family affair. Multiple generations of her family attended MSU, but an indelible mark was left in athletics by her grandfather, John “Sonny” Allen (Class of 1950). Countless former athletes counted him as a teammate –others, a coach. He was a four-year starter on the men’s basketball team and later returned to MSU to coach the baseball team for 14 years. The baseball field on campus now bears his name.

“Our family legacy with MSU athletics is special. Taking this role felt a little bit like I was following in Papaw’s footsteps.”

Whatever athletics event she’s working at, you can spot her by looking for the most spirited and best-dressed person on the court or field. You rarely catch her in anything that’s not MSU blue and gold – she will say she physically cannot bear to wear any other colors (unless it’s Rowan County green while cheering on her son, Jace, as he competes in his athletic events).

While she understands the significance of representing women in a male-dominated field, Gauche doesn’t prefer to be highlighted because she’s a woman – but rather because she’s committed to her job. She’s not intimidated by the overlapping schedules and non-stop action. She keeps up at an abnormally quick pace (often in heels), looking for every opportunity to support her coworkers. You could say the athletics staff are a team of their own, each one managing their own position, but never hesitating to come in with the assist.

“A lot of people paved the way for me to get here. I wouldn’t be at MSU were it not for my family coming before me. And I know I wouldn’t be in my position were it not for the groundbreaking changes set forth by Title IX in 1972, and later expanded upon by the NCAA in 1981,” says Gauche. “Every day that I get to drive by John ‘Sonny’ Allen field and settle into my office in Johnson Arena, I’m reminded of the significance of my position – and that’s special.”