Becky Sisley (1998) - Hall of Fame - University of Oregon Athletics

Becky Sisley

Induction:
1998

Her spirit: indomitable. Without it, women’s athletics at Oregon would not have achieved so much so quickly. She coached basketball in 1966, with practices once weekly. She coached softball from 1965-79, the first few years shagging flies in Pioneer Cemetery. Becky added field hockey to her list of coaching duties from ’67- ’75. When she became UO’s first women’s athletic director in 1973, the total budget was miniscule. By her last year as A.D. in 1979, the women’s budget had grown 11-fold. She hired the first full-time women’s coaches.

Becky begged, pleaded, cajoled and demanded in those early Title IX days. What she did best, though, was coach, inspire and lead. A true icon of women’s sports, she earned a doctorate in physical education and was the envy of peers worldwide as an athlete, coach and administrator. Dr. Sisley set, and holds, numerous age-group world and U.S. records in track and field. She was a great softball and field hockey performer for decades. But best, the UO physical education professor led women’s sports into modern times.