Sharon Gish was the driving force in
developing a far ranging women's
intercollegiate athletic program at Lafayette
which continues to thrive today.
In 1971, Gish was named the director of women's athletics at
the College. She coached five sports in addition
to instructing physical education classes. In her
nine year tenure, none of her field hockey,
lacrosse, or basketball teams ever had a losing
season. Her field hockey teams compiled an
outstanding record of 61-22-16, while Gish's
lacrosse teams were an impressive 41-16-1. In
1977 her field hockey team competed in the
regional EAIAW (Eastern Association for
Intercollegiate Athletics for Women) tournament.
Two years later, her lacrosse team finished fourth
in the United States Women's Lacrosse Association
Division I national championship. Her finest hour
as coach was in 1980 when her lacrosse team won
the USWLA Division II national championship.
