Madeline Hubbard ‘19
Sports Editor
This past weekend, Smith College Athletics welcomed seven athletes, an administrator and a team to the Smith Hall of Fame. The Induction Ceremony Saturday night acknowledged these individuals for their significant and lasting impact on Smith Athletics.
The first class of inductees were named in the fall of 2012. The 2017 Hall of Fame members now make up the third induction class with representatives from 1949 all the way up to 2005.
To qualify for being named to the Hall of Fame, athletes must have distinguished themselves in their area of athletics. Nominees must be positive role models who have made a positive impact on the Smith community and athletic program during their time on campus.
Coaches and administrators may also be named to the Hall of Fame if they have “demonstrated superior competence and professionalism in making contribution to the athletics program and made contributions to or earned recognition by conference, regional, and/or national organizations.”
For a team to be nominated to the Smith College Athletics Hall of Fame, the team must “have had an outstanding record or accomplishment such as: qualifying for the NCAA Championship, winning an ECAC Championship, or an undefeated season.”
Taking their place alongside greats like Senda Berenson, the woman who introduced basketball to Smith College and writer of the “official guide for women’s basketball,” and Gloria Heath, who excelled in three sports while at Smith, founded the Smith Flying Club and went on to serve as a Woman Airforce Service Pilot during World War II; this year’s class brings a group of talented athletes who went above and beyond in their sports and to change and improve women’s athletics.
Dr. Julia Chase-Brand ’64 joined the fight to end discrimination against women in sports. She challenged the Amateur Athletic Union ruling that women could not compete in races more than 220 yards for track. Her five-mile race in Connecticut lead to the sanctioning of Women’s cross country in the U.S. In 2012, she was named a Hero of Running by Runner’s World.
Another new member, Anne Lee Delano, excelled in field hockey and lacrosse at Northeastern University and went on to become a captain on both the United States National Field Hockey and Lacrosse teams.
In 1953, Delano came to Smith College to teach physical education. Her wide range of athletic knowledge allowed her to teach a variety of classes and really develop students’ athletic abilities.
Another Hall of Famer, Anne Martin ‘83 shined as a member of the Smith swimming and diving team, but switched to rowing in her sophomore year. Martin went on to find success at Smith and after; winning bronze at the Rowing World Championships in 1985 and a gold medal in the 1986 World Championships in England.
In 1999, Kanta Murali graduated Smith College after dominating the tennis court for four years. Murali racked up 100 career wins and was named to the All-Conference team each year during her time as a Pioneer and continued to excel in her sport, receiving many awards. Murali also joined the Smith squash team in 1999 and immediately progressed to a high level of skill winning accolades in Squash along with tennis.
A member of the Class of 1961, Anne Newell Robertson competed and was elected captain on the First Team for field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse. Newell Robertson went on to join the United States Women’s Lacrosse and later began curling, winning a bronze medal at the 2004 World Senior Women’s Curling Championship.
Kate Sorensen ’06 was named the 2005 New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference Athlete of the Year and was an integral part of the volleyball team that went on to win a NEWMAC title. Along with many honors Sorensen received while at Smith she still holds Smith’s all-time career record in kills and digs.
Melicent Kingsbury Whinston, Class of 1949, set a total of 27 state, national, and world records in the Masters Division in two different weight classes and three separate age divisions for weight lifting. This all-around athlete, Kingsbury Whinston also holds titles in the Masters Division long jump, shot put, and 100-meter dash.
Inductee, Lisa Black was a four-sport athlete on the varsity field hockey, lacrosse, squash and crew teams. Black’s started as a novice in both squash and crew and improved to the first ranking in squash and helped to win consecutive finishes at the New England Regatta.
The final inductee of the class of 2017 for the Smith Hall of Fame is the 1983 Field Hockey Team who hold the record for wins in a season with a 16-3-1 overall record. The team headed into the NCAA Division III National Tournament ranked No. 12 and made it to the quarterfinal game at nationals. The team also set records for goals scored in a season and consecutive wins.
This fall, Smith College welcomes these elite athletes to the Hall of Fame to celebrate and commemorate their momentous achievements.
