University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Hall of Fame
O'Conner, Dr. Nancy
Dr. Nancy O'Conner
- Induction:
- 1991
- Class:
- 1957
As an athletic administrator, Dr. Nancy J. O'Connor rose to the top.
Her college career began and Hillsdale (Mich.) College. She transferred to Iowa State Teachers College in 1955, earning her bachelor's degree in physical education and biological sciences in 1957. The only athletics she could compete in were not tied to the college because the school had yet to add women's programs.
In non-collegiate athletics, she participated in basketball, softball and field hockey.
After graduation, she went on to teach in the Los Angeles School system as director of girls physical education from 1957-1960. She then moved to Tustin Union (Calif.) High School where she got her first taste of coaching.
In 1963, she earned her master's degree in physical education and recreation from the University of Northern Colorado and in 1969, she was awarded a doctorate in education from Northern Colorado.
Colorado State beckoned Dr. O'Connor in 1963 and she has been there ever since. When she arrived, she started the women's swimming team which quickly became one of the nation's top teams. While she was coaching, the Lady Rams won 118 of 122 dual and triangular meets and finished among the nation's top 12 teams for 14 years. In 1977, she was named Coach of the Year in swimming and diving.
In 1975, Dr. O'Connor was named CSU's women's athletics director, a position she held until 1988. While in the position, she built an impressive women's athletics program, sending many teams to NCAA tournaments and winning many High Country Athletic Conference Championships. She also established the first corporate sponsorship of a women's athletics event when Old Time Meat Products sponsored the Lady Ram Volleyball Classic. She also established the Rocky Mountain Sports Camps.
Dr. O'Connor kept very busy by sitting in on many professional committees, most dealing with women's swimming. She also served on many Title IX committees to further the development of women's athletics.
Her college career began and Hillsdale (Mich.) College. She transferred to Iowa State Teachers College in 1955, earning her bachelor's degree in physical education and biological sciences in 1957. The only athletics she could compete in were not tied to the college because the school had yet to add women's programs.
In non-collegiate athletics, she participated in basketball, softball and field hockey.
After graduation, she went on to teach in the Los Angeles School system as director of girls physical education from 1957-1960. She then moved to Tustin Union (Calif.) High School where she got her first taste of coaching.
In 1963, she earned her master's degree in physical education and recreation from the University of Northern Colorado and in 1969, she was awarded a doctorate in education from Northern Colorado.
Colorado State beckoned Dr. O'Connor in 1963 and she has been there ever since. When she arrived, she started the women's swimming team which quickly became one of the nation's top teams. While she was coaching, the Lady Rams won 118 of 122 dual and triangular meets and finished among the nation's top 12 teams for 14 years. In 1977, she was named Coach of the Year in swimming and diving.
In 1975, Dr. O'Connor was named CSU's women's athletics director, a position she held until 1988. While in the position, she built an impressive women's athletics program, sending many teams to NCAA tournaments and winning many High Country Athletic Conference Championships. She also established the first corporate sponsorship of a women's athletics event when Old Time Meat Products sponsored the Lady Ram Volleyball Classic. She also established the Rocky Mountain Sports Camps.
Dr. O'Connor kept very busy by sitting in on many professional committees, most dealing with women's swimming. She also served on many Title IX committees to further the development of women's athletics.
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