Hall of Fame
A mentor and a leader in her field, Dr. West retired as associate athletics director at SIU in 1998, but left a legacy as one of the nation’s pioneers in women’s collegiate athletics. She served as a coach, faculty member and an administrator during her 42-year tenure.
Dr. West began her service to SIU in 1957 as a coach and instructor in the department of physical education. In 1973, she became a full professor and developed SIU’s graduate program in sports management, which she directed until June 1991.
From 1960 to 1986, Dr. West was director of intercollegiate athletics for women and led the transformation of the department from meager beginnings into a nationally recognized program with a budget of more than $1 million for 11 sports.
After the 1986 merger of the men’s and women’s athletics departments, she served as associate athletics director for one year, interim director for another and associate athletics director for 10 years.
Dr. West earned regional and national acclaim for her work in the governance in intercollegiate athletics, including president of the American Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, first woman member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors and a five-year stint on the NCAA Council.
The first recipient of the Woman Administrator of the Year Award from the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA), she was also named the first recipient of the Honda Award – a national honor given for outstanding achievement in women’s collegiate athletics.
Although known as an administrator, she was also an excellent coach, leading the 1969 SIU women’s golf team to a national championship – the same year her women’s basketball finished fifth in the nation at the NIT.
In all, Dr. West coached five sports from 1957 to 1975 at SIU, and her basketball compiled a 113-51 slate in 12 seasons.
Dr. West received bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and physical education from Florida State University, a master’s degree in physical education and dance from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and a doctorate in physical education with a minor in educational measurement from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The Lifetime Achievement category honors, when appropriate, former players, coaches, administrators or alumni who competed, worked or attended a current Conference school.