Union College Athletics

In recognition of 50 years of women's athletics at Union, a group of female student-athletes from the 1974-75 school year are being recognized to honor the collective achievements of the strong, dedicated, persistent, trailblazers that worked with the college administration to establish the women's athletic program at Union half a century ago. Most athletes played multiple sports without the benefits of trainers, fitness centers, and quality field and equipment conditions; nevertheless, they persevered, made lifelong friends, and learned valuable life lessons.
 
These trailblazing women, part of the nearly 100 to play on six teams in 1974-75, were recognized as the top students and athletes from their respective sports during the first full year of competition for women at Union. They were named team Most Valuable Players and captains, earned the Dutchess Award for academic and athletic excellence, wrote articles about their teams in the Concordiensis, and contributed to the infancy of women's athletics at Union in many other ways.
 
Team Members:
Pamela Anderson '77 – Dutchess Award for the volleyball and tennis teams
Elaine Baldwin '79 – Dutchess Award for the softball team
Lynn Bateman Pulliam '78 – captain of the basketball team, also played field hockey and lacrosse and wrote for the Concordiensis
Barbara J. (Dewey) Carmody '75 – Dutchess Award for the basketball team
Diana Gazzolo '78 – played volleyball, basketball and softball, and also wrote and took photos for the Concordiensis
Sarah "Muffy" Hart Hansen '78 – played field hockey, tennis and lacrosse
Amy L. Juchatz-Camanzo '78 – MVP and captain of the volleyball team, and also played lacrosse
Katharine "Kipp" Kelley Freeman '75 – Dutchess Award for the field hockey and lacrosse teams, and also played volleyball
Priscilla "Perky" (Francis) Nellissen '77, HOF '05 – played softball and field hockey
Allyne Price '78 – played field hockey and lacrosse and also wrote for the Concordiensis
Catherine "Cathy" Reals '78 – captain of the basketball team, also played volleyball and softball and wrote for the Concordiensis
Susan Rich '75 – MVP of the tennis team
Donna Sockell '77 – MVP of the basketball team and also played field hockey and softball
Madelyn Yelton '75 – MVP of both the field hockey and lacrosse teams, and also played volleyball
Ronni Zankel '78 – MVP of the softball team
Bob Ridings HOF '07 - Athletic Equipment Manager
Sheila Weaver - Director of Women's Athletics and the first full-time women's varsity coach at Union