As the University of Texas Women's basketball team celebrates its entrance into the Sweet 16, Austin welcomes a new player in town supporting women's sports. The 1972 Women's Sports Pub stands out as a game-changer just steps away from UT, honing in on a mission to amplify women athletes on the big screen. According to CBS Austin, "We are dedicated women’s sport only. So, there will no men’s sports on our televisions," co-owner Debra Hallum proclaimed, committed to growing viewership for women's sports.
The establishment, basking in the historical glow of its name, celebrates the passage of Title IX in 1972—an act to end sex discrimination in any educational program. Even though enthusiasts drove from places like Buda, such as David and Sylvia Gonzalez, cited by CBS Austin, they were eager to find a pub dedicated to ensuring they could soak in the UT women's basketball team's victories with fellow fans. "We have a long way to go before we reach equality but at least we’re taking baby steps," Sylvia Gonzalez remarked, echoing a sentiment that both ownership and patrons share. With the promise of expansion, the number of women’s sports bars is on the rise, with Austin's pub as a trailblazer.
Kicking things off earlier in the week, Hallum and partner Marlene du Plessis cut the ribbon to an establishment that pledges to play only women's sports across its televisions. "We need everyone watching women's sports," Hallum emphasized in an interview with KVUE. The inspiration sparked from an online article about a women's sports bar in Portland, which fueled Hallum and du Plessis’s journey to open Austin's very own. Inclusivity remains a top priority, with Hallum pointing out, "If women watching women's sports could fix the gap and fix everything, it would have been fixed years ago."
The timing for the pub could hardly be more opportune, aligning with the fever pitch of March Madness. In 1972, they were not only serving pints but also partnerships, such as the one with Austin Rise FC, a women-led soccer team, and a connection to the UT women's basketball team. "We wanted to have that significant title that represented a change in girls and women's sports," Hallum said, depicting the drive behind the pub's moniker in the KVUE interview. Additionally, the pub displays its sense of community by donating 10% of its profits to local nonprofit groups supporting athletics for girls and gender-expansive youth.
For those interested in checking out this new local hotspot, 1972 opens its doors Wednesdays through Fridays from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on weekends from a friendly 10:30 a.m. right up until the 11 p.m. closing time. Updates on which games will be broadcast are conveniently available via the pub's social media pages, ensuring fans never miss a chance to cheer on their favorites in women's sports.
