KANSAS CITY, Mo. (W&M Media Relations) – William & Mary icon Millie West was posthumously named the winner of the Nike Lifetime Achievement Award, Women Leaders in College Sports announced on Tuesday.
Over her 60 years of service to the university, West served in a variety of roles and was a pioneer for women's athletics and a true inspiration for generations of student-athletes. Millie's leadership was defined by her integrity, her service to others and her commitment to inclusiveness. She passed away in February at the age of 85.
West first came to W&M in 1959 as an instructor in physical education, and shortly became synonymous with Tribe Athletics as a coach, professor, and administrator. She was the Chair of the Physical Education and Kinesiology Departments, the Director of Women's Athletics, a coach of tennis and swimming, and a mentor to thousands. Millie was elected an honorary alumna of William & Mary in 1991 and honorary doctorate in 2017, inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Women's Hall of Fame in 1998, and the W&M Hall of Fame in 2000. The university's tennis facility, located on Brooks Street, is named in her honor.
The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Nike, is bestowed annually to administrators and professionals who have dedicated their careers to advancing women in sport. Because of their tireless efforts, girls and women participating in sport can enjoy competitive athletics and/or athletic career opportunities. This award is given to individuals who have rendered meritorious service and have retired from or no longer directly involved in full-time employment in the profession.
The recipients will be honored with the Nike Celebration of Women social media campaign starting Tuesday, September 8 and during the Nike Celebration of Women feature during Women Leaders X, the organization's first virtual convention, Oct. 11-12. Nominated by their peers and selected by the Women Leaders Awards Committee for their service during 2019-2020, the award recipients are:
Nike Administrator of the Year Award Recipients
Association/Organization Nike Administrator of the Year: Judy MacLeod, Commissioner, Conference USA
NCAA Division I FBS Nike Administrator of the Year: Jocelyn Gates, Senior Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator, Boston College
NCAA Division I FCS Nike Administrator of the Year: Sherryta D. Freeman, Director of Athletics, Lafayette College
NCAA Division I Nike Administrator of the Year: Ursula Gurney, Deputy Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator, University of Missouri – Kansas City
NCAA Division II Nike Administrator of the Year: Pennie Parker, Director of Athletics, Rollins College
NCAA Division III Nike Administrator of the Year: Meg Stevens, Director of Athletics, Averett University
Nell Jackson Nike Administrator of the Year: Tiffany Walker Daniels, Associate Commissioner/Senior Woman Administrator, Southeastern Conference
Nike Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients
Nike Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Ruth Alexander, Former Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Florida
Nike Lifetime Achievement Award: Jennifer Alley, Retired Executive Director, NACWAA
Nike Lifetime Achievement Award: Mildred "Millie" Barrett West, Former Director of Women's Athletics, William & Mary
Jostens Award Recipients
Jostens Rising Star Award: Katy Keenan, Graduate Assistant, Texas Tech University
Jostens Promising Professional Award: Sable Lee, Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Development, Clemson University
Jostens Commitment Award: Cori Pinkett, Assistant Athletics Director for Character Formation, Baylor University
