Nancy Hogshead-Makar (born March 26, 1962) is an American former competitive swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, and legal scholar known for her advocacy of gender equity in sports, particularly through Title IX. She won three medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and later pursued a career in law, focusing on civil rights and sports law.
Early Life and Education
- Born in Washington, D.C., United States.
- Began swimming at a young age and trained with the North Baltimore Aquatic Club.
- Attended the University of Florida, where she swam for the Florida Gators swimming and diving team under coach Randy Reese. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983.
Swimming Career
- Specialized in freestyle and individual medley events.
- Qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team in 1984 after the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games prevented her earlier participation.
- At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, she earned:
- Gold medal in the women's 4 × 100 meter freestyle relay (as part of the U.S. team).
- Silver medal in the women's 200 meter freestyle.
- Bronze medal in the women's 200 meter individual medley.
- Set several American and U.S. Open records during her competitive career.
Legal Career and Advocacy
- Earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Columbia Law School in 1995.
- Served as a law professor at the University of North Carolina School of Law, where she taught courses on civil rights, sports law, and Title IX.
- Founded Champion Women, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting gender equity in sports and education.
- Has testified before U.S. Senate and House committees on Title IX enforcement and authored numerous scholarly articles on gender discrimination, equal opportunity, and sports policy.
Awards and Honors
- Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame (2008).
- Recipient of the International Olympic Committee Women and Sport Award for North America (2008).
- Recognized by the National Association of Sports Officials and various civil‑rights organizations for her contributions to gender equity.
Publications and Media
- Co‑author of the book “The Equality Effect: Achieving Gender Equality in Sport” (2021).
- Frequently appears in media outlets such as NPR, The New York Times, and ESPN discussing Title IX and women's sports.
Personal Life
- Married to Tom Makar, a partner at a law firm; together they have two children.
Legacy
Nancy Hogshead-Makar is regarded as a prominent figure in both competitive swimming and the legal fight for gender equality in athletics. Her combined experience as an elite athlete and legal expert positions her as a leading voice in the ongoing interpretation and enforcement of Title IX across educational institutions in the United States.