Hall of Fame
While never a head coach for one particular sport at Slippery Rock, Carolyn Williams’ impact on women’s athletics could be felt across all teams and many extracurricular activities at SRU.
Prior to arriving to the Slippery Rock physical education department in 1967, Williams earned her bachelor’s degree from Tufts College and her master’s degree from the University of Texas. She went on to make a name for herself as a faculty member at various colleges including Stephens College, Napa College, Texas, West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh. Throughout her travels Williams coached nearly every sport available to women at the time.
At Slippery Rock, Williams served as the coordinator of women’s athletics for nearly a decade as well as being the faculty advisor to the Women’s Recreation Association in addition to her duties as a professor within the physical education department.
As the coordinator of women’s athletics, Williams worked closely with Director of Athletics Robert E. Raymond in handling scheduling, budgeting and purchasing of equipment for women’s athletics. A large amount of credit is owed to Williams for helping to bring stability to the expansion of women’s athletics at Slippery Rock.
In the 1974-75 Slippery Rock women’s sports guide, Williams attributed much of the success of women’s athletics at Slippery Rock to the coaches and student-athletes supporting each other.
“One of the most positive things about our program is the attitude and fine rapport that exists between our coaches and players,” said Williams.
Williams passed away in 2011 at the age of 84.
