Mary Donovan, WPI can truly count you among its pioneers. At a
time when few women had yet attended the Institute, and when the
women's athletic program was still in its infancy, you proved that
women athletes could bring recognition and honor to the college.
You played field hockey, basketball and softball and were a
member of the crew team. You were recognized as a captain in the
first three of those sports. Described by your coaches as "one of
the best all-around athletes at WPI," you were an all-MAIAW
tournament selection in both basketball and softball.
As a guard on WPI's first women's basketball team during the
1976-77 season, you helped the team post an 11-4 record. Quite
remarkable for a first-year squad, the team advanced o the MAIAW
semifinals. The following season, serving as a co-captain, you
helped the team win a berth in the second round of the MAIAW
tournament, and finish the year with a 13-4 record. In your two
years of varsity basketball, you led the team to a 24-8 record,
averaging about 11 points per game yourself.
You also broke ground as a member of the Institute's first
women's softball team. In 1977-78, the squad finished 9-1 and came
in second at the MAIAW tournament. AS a junior, you battled an
incredible .622 and distinguished yourself as a left fielder. The
team finished with identical 6-2 records in 1976 and 1977, largely
due to your natural ability and hard work.
Mary Donovan, it is with great pleasure that we pay tribute to
your athletic achievements by inducting you into the WPI Athletic
Hall of Fame.
