In the 1970-71 Blue Mantle, basketball, equestrian, tennis, and volleyball were all mentioned as being part of the physical education department as possible activities for Saint Mary's students. The former Regina Hall pool was constructed in 1976-77, and Angela Athletic Facility first opened its doors in 1977. Since that time, Saint Mary's students have had the opportunity to participate in basketball, cross country, equestrian, fencing, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, karate, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

While some programs are no longer offered at the varsity sport level, they are as much a part of our heritage and tradition today as they were when our Belles competed on the intercollegiate stage.

Fencing

Both club and varsity fencing were offered by the Department of Athletics from the early 1970s through 1984.

In April 1981, Saint Mary's and Notre Dame hosted the first Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) National Fencing Championship with previous championships being sponsored by the National Women's Intercollegiate Fencing Association (NWIFA). In 1982, the Saint Mary's fencers finished 16th at the AIAW National Fencing Championship. Top finishers at that same competition were Yale, Temple, and Penn State. Saint Mary's captain Twila Kitchin was one of just 32 fencers who competed in the individual portion of the competition.

Field Hockey

The 1934 Saint Mary's field hockey team was inducted into the College's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001. Recognized as the first team to compete intercollegiately for the College, the field hockey team was featured in a story by the South Bend Tribune.

"Saint Mary's College will make its first venture into the field of intercollegiate athletics when a team of twelve students participants in a Play Day. The Saint Mary's hockey team, registered for the Play Day in Jackson Park, Chicago on November 10, 1934. This sports event for colleges and universities attracted to the South Side Fields about a dozen teams from regional schools."

Field hockey was sponsored by the Department of Athletics until 1982 according to department records.

Swimming and Diving

According to the Blue Mantle, swimming and diving was offered as a club until 1974 and was made a varsity offering to students starting in 1975. Four members of the program have been inducted into the Saint Mary's Hall of Fame after extraordinary careers for the Belles. Meghan Rafferty Weldon '88 was a four-time NAIA All-American. Gail Casey O'Grady Slevin '84 was an NAIA All-American and earned Academic All-American status. Allison Smith '98 became the first swimmer to earn a spot at NCAA Nationals and was an All-American in the 1650. Megan Ramsey '04 was the first Belle in program history to be a four-time All-MIAA honoree.

Track and Field

The Department of Athletics sponsored track and field from the late 1970s through the spring of 2001. Nicole Hill Colucci '91, Stacy Davis '99, and head coach Larry Szczechowski are all inductees in the Saint Mary's Hall of Fame from the track and field program. Nicole was the District 21 Champion in the 10,000 meter race as a sophomore and was a three-time All-District honoree. Stacy was a three-time competitor at the NCAA Indoor Championships and twice made the Outdoor Championship event while earning First-Team All-American honors as a junior and a senior. Coach Larry Szczechowski dedicated himself to coaching the Saint Mary’s Track and Field Team for eighteen seasons.

Anyone with additional contributions to helping fully develop our archives regarding past programs should contact Sarah Miesle, Sports Information Director, at smiesle@saintmarys.edu.