Austin’s first-ever dedicated women’s sports pub officially opens its doors this spring. Just in time for March Madness, 1972 will open in Downtown Austin at 2530 Guadalupe Street, the former location of Moody’s Kitchen and Bar.

Co-founder Debra Hallum says she and Marlene du Plessis created 1972 in hopes of offering a space for fans of women’s sports. The bar is named after the year the U.S. government amended Title IX, which states that it’s unlawful for any educational programs receiving federal funding to discriminate “on the basis of sex.” It specifically states that athletics are included. “That year is really one of the most impactful years for women in sports. 1972 represents all that we’re trying to do,” Hallum says. Previously, Hallum and du Plessis were calling their bar the “ATX Women’s Sports Pub” to emphasize the bar’s focus on women, but they ultimately went with a name they felt was shorter and easier to remember.

Hallum says she and du Plessis both grew up watching sports, but didn’t play a lot growing up. (Hallum’s small town in Texas focused more on boys’ athletic programs, she says.) Du Plessis, who played field hockey, was not allowed to play in her native home in South Africa. While visiting Seattle, Hallum says she and du Plessis watched WNBA games at Rough & Tumble, a sports bar that focuses on women’s sports. “It was amazing to see the place full of this community to support women’s sports,” Hallum says. “We looked at each other and said, ‘We really need to see if Austin can support a place like this.’”

Hallum started researching and noticed Austin had already a huge fanbase for women’s sports at the University of Texas in Austin. “We believe Austin is ready for something like this,” Debra says.

As the duo prepares to open, Hallum says the goal is for 1972 to represent “what we all think is a sports bar — just with a focus on women’s sports.” That means large televisions indoors and on the outdoor patio for prime views of games, and a full bar that will include local craft selections from woman-owned companies and female brewers. The interior is adorned with memorabilia from collegiate and professional women athletes, including autographed team jerseys, sports balls, sneakers, and more. “We want to highlight women in their industries everywhere we can,” Hallum says. The food menu will include things like burgers and chicken wings served with homemade sauces.

1972 is now hiring for front- and back-of-house, and though the pub is focused on women’s sports and women athletes, it will not limit its staff to only women. “I don’t think that’s as important as: Do [staff members] have the skills and do they understand what we’re trying to do here?” she says. “We need everyone for women to get recognition, acknowledgment, and pay. We need all fans.” The team is also looking to any and all avenues to gain funding to support the bar’s opening. They’ve launched fundraisers on their own with the goal of raising $250,000 through crowdfunding for overhead costs, including “renovations, furniture, living wages, licenses, and launching,” plus a display of renderings of female athletes through history. They’ve raised nearly $17,000 so far.

Beyond broadcasting sports games, 1972 aims to be an inclusive, safe space, and a true part of the Austin community. The duo plans to welcome in local women’s and girls’ sports leagues, such as the Texas Smoke, Austin’s first professional women’s softball league, and fans to host fundraisers and events.