3 minute read
Spring 2024 - The Talon
Central Celebrates 50 Years of Women’s Athletics
Alumni, Past Coaches Return to Share Stories
This spring, Central Methodist University celebrated one of its most special anniversaries, as generations of alumni, coaches, and friends returned to campus to honor 50 years of women’s athletics.
The two-day event brought the past and present together to celebrate the half-century of Eagle women, with an afternoon social on Friday, March 22 and a banquet on the evening of March 23. At both events, current athletes had the unique experience of meeting some of the trailblazing women who came before them and paved the way for their current successes.
From the humble beginnings of a few small programs in the ‘70s, led by Hairston Hall of Famers like Sue Feldkamp and the late Phyllis Richardson, to the recent highs of numerous conference championships and even national championships in cheer and dance, all five decades of women’s athletics at Central were celebrated by dozens of proud alumni and friends throughout the weekend.
At the Saturday evening banquet, a number of speakers addressed the crowd to talk about what makes Eagle women’s athletics such a special tradition. On the following spread are some of their thoughts, in their own words.
“In my experience here as a student [and athlete], we were like one big ‘green bean’ family. . . People are competitive here at Central, but they have fun. They love each other. They’ve got each other’s back. And it’s just an all-around special place.”
-Vicki Rees – volleyball, basketball, softball, class of 1981
