St. Lawrence University Athletics

President of the Women’s Athletic Association as a senior, Mary Van Valkenburgh served in a staff capacity when military service claimed several athletic staff members. She refereed team sports and helped with physical education classes.

As an undergraduate she participated in basketball, tennis, hockey, baseball and skiing and was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. She was awarded the SLU Club Award by the women’s athletic honorary and arranged and hosted a visit by U.S. and Wimbledon tennis champion Alice Marble for a tennis exhibition and a speech at the WAA banquet.

A retired public relations consultant for the Girl Scouts’ national organization, she played a major leadership role in women’s athletics and helped lay the foundation for today’s expanded women’s intercollegiate athletic program.