Celebrating Women's History at Syracuse
Since 1971-72 Orange women have donned the Block S to represent Syracuse University and the Athletics Department. As we celebrate this history, we acknowledge those who have gone before us to set the standard we strive to achieve today so we can pave the way for the future. We reflect on the history of women in sport, admire their sacrifices, recognize their contributions and accomplishments and honor their legacy.
Here we highlight the accomplishments and contributions of Syracuse’s female student-athletes, coaches and staff. Scroll the page to learn about every Orange women's program and how we celebrate over 50 years of women's athletics at Syracuse.
MURAL HONORS 50 YEARS OF WOMEN'S ATHLETICS
A mural celebrating 50 Years of Syracuse University women's athletics and Title IX was unveiled on April 19, 2022 in the Dome. The mural honors the history and contributions of those who set the standard for current and future women student-athletes, coaches, and professionals, and reflects the voyage of women in sport, while acknowledging the groundbreaking Title IX legislation of 1972. The floor-to-ceiling display recognizes the accomplishments of thousands of former and current Orange women, while setting the course for Syracuse's continuing legacy.
Syracuse University graduate Alexis Mohammed '21, an illustrator and concept artist from downstate New York, created the mural with guidance from Syracuse University professor Ginnie Hsu, who teaches in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
The Pioneer for Orange Women's Athletics
Doris R. Soladay epitomized all of the positives in intercollegiate athletics. From her appointment as the first, and only, Director of Women's Athletics at Syracuse University in 1975 until the day she retired as Associate Director of Athletics on May 31, 1995, Doris dedicated herself to student-athletes wearing the Orange of SU. The Syracuse University Department of Athletics and the world of intercollegiate sports lost a dear friend when Doris passed away in May, 2001.
Doris established scholarships for women, while increasing the budgets to run the programs. She worked with the late Chancellor Eggers and others who supported women's athletics to begin Orange Plus. Throughout her career, Doris made it a point to attend every home athletic contest of every Syracuse team whenever possible. She often cheered on one team in the morning, another in the afternoon and a third in the evening.
Her impact on athletics reaches far beyond "The Hill," however. Prior to the NCAA taking women's athletics into its fold, Doris held offices on numerous committees in the AIAW (Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women) on the state, regional and national levels. After the merger Doris directed her energy into the NCAA Council, serving from 1989 through 1995.
Doris was also influential regionally where she was an integral part of the expansion of The BIG EAST Conference to include women's athletics, as well as chairing various committees in the league. The ECAC also benefitted from her knowledge and savvy, where she was a member of the ECAC Women's Steering Committee from 1983-87. For her many outstanding contributions, the ECAC honored Doris with the 1995 Katherine Ley Award, presented annually to a women's athletics administrator who serves as a role model for her colleagues, as well as a strong proponent of women's issues.
It is fitting that the Soladay Award is the most prestigious award given to a student-athlete by the Department of Athletics. The honor is given annually to the top male and female senior student-athletes who best exemplify the essence of Doris.
It is no secret that since her retirement her presence in the corridors of Manley Field House has been missed, but it is clear that her legacy will remain a part of the Orange forever.
See the history of the Soladay Award and the annual recipients
"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."Title IX - June 23, 1972
BASKETBALL
Since 1971-72 Syracuse University’s women’s basketball team has played in 12 NCAA Tournaments, including the 2016 National Championship game, won the 1985 BIG EAST Championship. The program has also produced seven All-Americans, 10 all-conference first team selections, five Scholar-Athletes of the Year and one Academic All-American, four WNBA Draft Picks and more than 30 professional players.
Orange Firsts!
Season: 1971-72. The Orangewomen finished 5-5.
Coach: Muriel K. Smith, who served as the head coach from 1971-78 and had a 57-33 record
Win: December 14, 1971 @ Cazenovia. The Orange won by a score line of 37-35.
All-American: Kim Dick (1981)
BIG EAST Tournament Championship: 1985. The Orange beat Villanova, 57-56.
NCAA Tournament Appearance: 1985 at Old Dominion.
NCAA Tournament Win: 2014 vs. Chattanooga.
National Championship Game: 2015-16. Syracuse lost to Connecticut in the championship game.
Did You Know?
- The Orange have earned 12 NCAA Tournament invitations.
- Syracuse won the 1985 BIG EAST Tournament championship as the #5 seed and the 1988 BIG EAST regular season title.
- Muriel K. Smith, the team’s first Head Coach, also served as the first head coach of the field hockey team.
- Women’s basketball games were first played in Gym A in the Women's Building before moving to Manley Field House as the home court in 1974-75. In 2006-07, the Orange began calling the Carrier Dome their home.
- The fifth coach in program history, Quentin “Coach Q” Hillsman had the highest winning percentage in program history.
- Since 2013, four players have been drafted into the WNBA, including Brittney Sykes, who was the highest overall pick (7th in 2017) in program history.
CROSS COUNTRY
Syracuse has produced two All-Americans and 15 conference champions. The Orange women have qualified for the NCAA Championship in nine of the past 12 seasons and finished a program-best 10th in 2010.
Firsts!
Season: 1979-80
Coach: Greg Page
NCAA Championship Team Invitation: 2008
All-American: Lauren Penney (2011)
ACC Individual Champion: Paige Stoner (2017)
Did You Know?
- The Orange have earned nine NCAA Championship invitations.
- Two runners have earned All-America honors, including Lauren Penney (2011) and Paige Stoner (2017). Penney finished 29th in the NCAA and Stoner placed 17th.
- In 2018, Shannon Malone earned Northeast Regional Performer of the Year accolades.
- In 2009 and 2011, Chris Fox was named Northeast Regional Women’s Coach of the Year. In both years, he doubled as Northeast Regional Men’s Coach of the Year.
- The Orange have had seven All-ACC Selections (2013 to present).
- The Orange had eight All-BIG EAST performers (1982 through 2012).
TRACK & FIELD
The Orange program has produced 21 All-Americans, six individual ACC titles and 80 individual BIG EAST championships from 1983 through 2013.
Firsts!
Season: 1979-80
Coach: Greg Page
All-American: Diane DiPhillips (1987)
BIG EAST Champions (Individual): Alicia Hauber (1983: Outdoor 5000m), Sharon Daniels (1984: Indoor long jump)
ACC Champions (Individual): Shaina Harrison (2015: Indoor 60m), Margo Malone (2015: Outdoor 10,000m)
Did You Know?
- Syracuse has produced 21 All-Americans
- Seventeen student-athletes have earned All-ACC Honors.
- The Orange won 80 individual Big East Championships before moving to the ACC in 2013.
- The Orange have won six individual ACC Championships.
FIELD HOCKEY
2015 National Champions! The Orange won the first National Championship for a women’s sport at Syracuse. The program has won nine conference regular season championships, six league tournament championships. Since its inaugural season in 1972, Syracuse field hockey has developed two Olympians, 10 U.S. National Team players and 45 All-Americans, including six three-time All-Americans.
Firsts!
Season: 1972-73… the Orange had a 1-3-1 record.
Coach: Muriel K. Smith, who held the position for six seasons through 1977.
Win: 1972
Honda Sports Award: Alyssa Manley, 2015
All-American: Kelly Larkin, 1991
ACC Championship: 2015, Regular Season Championship
BIG EAST Championship: 1993 (regular season and tournament champions)
NCAA Tournament Appearance: 1993 vs. Penn
NCAA Tournament Win: 1993 vs. Penn (3-0)
National Championship: 2015. This record-breaking squad had 21-1 record.
Did You Know?
- Syracuse has competed in 15 NCAA Tournaments.
- Former head coach Ange Bradley was a five-time conference Coach of the Year (ACC: 1; BIG EAST: 4)
- Muriel K. Smith served as the head coach for both field hockey and women’s basketball head coach for six seasons
- In 1981, the Orange played Lock Haven for the AIAW National Championship.
- Syracuse’s six three-time All-Americans are Julie Williamson 1992-94, Martina Loncarica 2008-10, Laura Hahnefeldt 2010, 2012/13, Alyssa Manley 2013-15, Laura Hurff 2015-17, Roos Weers 2016-18.
- Olympians: Shannon Taylor (2012) and Alyssa Manley (2016) played for team USA.
ICE HOCKEY
The youngest program in Syracuse Athletics history, the ice hockey team quickly adopted the University’s winning mentality. Since its inception in 2008, the team has reached the College Hockey America Championship game eight times and won the title in 2019 to advance to the NCAA Tournament. The program has developed 45 all-conference selections, 18 professional players, and two Olympians.
Firsts!
Season: 2008-09
Coach: Paul Flanagan (2008-present)
Win: 10/18/08 at Quinnipiac (2-0)
CHA Championship: 2018-19 (6-2 vs. Robert Morris)
NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2019
Did You Know?
- Syracuse has won two CHA Tournament championships (2019 and 2022) and earned an NCAA Tournament invitations in both seasons.
- The Orange won the 2021-22 CHA regular season title for the first time in program history.
- Olympians in Stefanie Marty (2008-2011) and Akane Hosoyamada (2010-15) are the former Orange players to compete in the Olympics. Marty played for the Swiss National Team at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, where she helped earn Switzerland’s first ever medal in women’s hockey. Hosoyamada represented Japan in the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang.
- The Orange have reached the CHA Championship nine times.
- The Orange have had one CHA Player of the Year, three CHA rookies of the year, five CHA Best Defensive Forwards, five CHA Best Defenseman, two CHA Scoring Trophy winners and one CHA Goaltending Trophy winner.
LACROSSE
Syracuse has established itself as a dominant force in the NCAA. The Orange have played in 18 NCAA Tournaments and have advanced to two National Championship games. The Orange have won three BIG EAST Tournament titles, one ACC Tournament title, and advanced to the NCAA Final Four seven times. Twenty-eight student-athletes have earned All-America honors.
Firsts!
Season: 1997-98
Coach: Lisa Miller (1998-07)
Win: 3/17/98 vs. Siena (19-0)
All-American: Katrina Hable (1999)
BIG EAST Championship: 2007—Big East Tournament, 2008—Big East Regular Season (and Tournament)
ACC Championship: 2015 ACC Tournament
NCAA Tournament: 5/11/2000 at Georgetown
NCAA Tournament Win: 5/16/2007 at Vanderbilt (16-10)
NCAA Tournament Final Four: 5/23/2008 vs. Northwestern
NCAA Championship Appearance: 2012
Did You Know?
- Syracuse has earned NCAA Tournament invitations 18 times and played in three national championship games.
- The team has produced nine BIG EAST Players of the Year, one ACC Player of the Year and two ACC Freshmen of the Year.
- Former head coach Gary Gait earned ACC Coach of the Year honors in 2015 and 2017 and BIG EAST Coach of the Year honors in 2011 and 2012.
- Gait led the Orange men’s lacrosse team to three national titles and was the first overall pick in the 1990 NLL draft.
- Former head coach Lisa Miller earned BIG EAST Coach of the Year honors in 2007.
ROWING
Since its inception in 1977, the rowing program has enjoyed success. The program boasts seven NCAA Championship appearances, 12 CRCA All-Americans and five Olympians.
Firsts!
Season: 1977
Coach: Mark Lyvers (1977-1980)
Captain: Lori Barnett
All-American: Jillian Kott (2000)
NCAA Varsity 8 Invitation: 1997
NCAA Team Invitation: 2002
BIG EAST Championship: 2001
Did You Know?
- The Orange have made nine NCAA Championship appearances, including as a team in 2002, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021, and the Varsity 8 in 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2005.
- The 2002 team finished finished 12th, the best performance in program history.
- In 2001 the Varsity 8 finished sixth, marking the highest place in program history.
- After winning the BIG EAST Championship in 2001, the Orange went on to win three consecutive titles (2001, 2002 and 2003).
- The program began as a rowing club in the early 1970s. Captain-manager Lori Barnett played a key role in the success of the club and its transition into varsity status in 1977.
- In 2017, the second varsity eight was named ACC Crew of the Year and then-head coach Justin Moore earned ACC Coach of the Year honors.
- Former head coach Kris Sanford earned BIG EAST Coach of the Year honors in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
- 12 Orange rowers have earned CRCA All-America honors.
SOCCER
The soccer program was launched in 1995 and played its first season in 1996. Head coach April Kater guided the Orange to their first NCAA Tournament invitation in 1998. The Orange finished third in BIG EAST standings 2011 and 2012 and then moved to the ACC in 2013.
Firsts!
Season: 1996-97
Coach: April Kater (1996-2003)
Win: 8/31/96 vs. Buffalo (5-2)
All-American: Tyla Brennan (1996)
NCAA Tournament Appearance: 11/11/98 vs. Colgate
NCAA Tournament Win: 11/11/98 vs. Colgate (4-1)
Did You Know?
- Syracuse earned NCAA Tournament invitations in 1998 and 2001.
- Seven former ‘Cuse players are currently play professionally in six different countries (US, France, Germany, England, Iceland, Sweden).
- The Orange have produced 21 All-BIG EAST honorees—highlighted by 2012 Big East Goalkeeper of the Year, Brittany Anghel.
- Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan (G-2018) is the only player to earn All-ACC Honors (2014 Freshman Team and 2017 All-ACC Third Team).
- Six student-athletes have earned All-ACC Academic Team recognition.
- Four players have earned Freshman All-America Team honors.
- SU Soccer Stadium was built in advance of the addition of the women’s program in 1995.
SOFTBALL
The Orange program has produced three All-Americans, 29 All-BIG EAST honorees, and nine All-ACC honorees. The Orange advanced to the NCAA Tournament three consecutive seasons between 2010 and 2012.
Firsts!
Season: 1999-2000
Coach: Mary Jo Firnbach (2000-2006)
Win: 2/19/2000 vs. Louisiana Tech (6-2) in Mardi Gras Classic in Monroe, Louisiana
All-American: Alexis Switenko (2006)
BIG EAST Championship: 2010 BIG EAST Tournament
NCAA Tournament Appearance: 5/21/2010 vs. Oklahoma
NCAA Tournament Win: 5/20/2011 vs. LSU (3-0)
Did You Know?
- The 2010 Orange won the 2010 Big East Tournament as the fifth seed. They were the lowest seed to win the BIG EAST title.
- Three Syracuse teams have earned NCAA Tournament invitations.
- Three players have earned Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America honors: Alexis Switenko (2007), Jenna Caira (2012) and Sydney O’Hara (2017).
- Nine players have earned All-ACC Honors and 29 players have earned All BIG EAST honors.
- Three former Orange were ASBA draft sekections in 2018: Sydney O’Hara, AnnaMarie Gatti and Faith Cain.
SWIMMING & DIVING
The Orange won 18 BIG EAST individual and relay championships and five swimmers earned All-America honors from 1975-76 through 2008-09.
Firsts!
Season: 1971-72
Coach: Linda May
Win: 1975-76. The Orange beat Keuka.
All-Americans: Robin Butler, Liz Vilbert, Wendy Evans, Patsy Klotz (1978)
Individual BIG EAST Champions: 1983 – Betsy Spiegel (1-meter and 3-meter dive), Sara Wortman (100 breast) and Sallie Cinco (200 fly)
Relay BIG EAST Champions: 1983 – Haggerty, Klingler, Snedeker, Walker (400 and 800 free relays)
Did You Know?
- Syracuse had a record of 172-106-3 before it was discontinued after 2008-09.
- Former Head Coach Lou Walker won BIG EAST Coach of the Year five times.
- Liz Vilbert (1978-81) was the first four-year All-American in Syracuse Athletics History.
- SU won 18 individual or relay BIG EAST Championships from 1983 to 2007.
- The Orange competed in Webster Pool in Archbold Gymnasium on the University’s main campus.
TENNIS
The 1982 Orange won the inaugural BIG EAST Championship and four Syracuse teams earned invitations to the NCAA Tournament, including 2016, 2018 and 2019, and four student-athletes have earned All-America honors. Kathy Bradford was the first Orange woman to compete in the NCAA Tournament in 1986-87. Since then, Erica O’Neill, Jana Strnadova, Nicole Strnadova, Anna Shkudun, Gabriella Knutson and Valeria Salazar have represented the Orange at the NCAA Tournament.
Firsts!
Season: 1971-72
Coach: Birgitta Warbach (1975-1978)
All-American: Jana Strnadova (1994)
Conference Championship: 1982 BIG EAST Tournament Championship
NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2016
NCAA Tournament Win: 2016 vs. #45 Georgia State, 4-3 (first round)
Individual NCAA Tournament Participant: Kathy Bradford (1986-87)
Did You Know?
- Four Orange women have earned All-America honors: Erica O’Neill (1994), Jana Strnadova (1995), Miranda Ramirez (2018), and Gabriela Knutson (2018 and 2019).
- Gabriela Knutson is the most decorated former Orange tennis player, earning All-America honors three times and All-ACC First Team honors twice. Knutson recorded 179 career-victories from 2015-19, which is the second-most in Orange history.
- The Orange have earned four NCAA Tournament invitations, including back-to-back appearances in 2018 and 2019.
- Syracuse has 24 BIG EAST singles titles and 19 BIG EAST doubles championships.
- The Orange won three BIG EAST Championships (1982, 1984 and 1985).
- In the 1978-79 season, the Orange posted an undefeated record (10-0).
VOLLEYBALL
In 2018, the Orange earned the program’s first NCAA Tournament invitation, and proceeded to get the first NCAA Tournament win in program history. The team beat Yale in the first round and then lost to Penn State in the second round. The Orange have won more than 900 games since 1972.
Firsts!
Season: 1971-72
Coach: Elaine M. Goldband (1972-79)
Win: 1972. The Orange beat local rival Corning.
All-American: Kelly Duan (2004)
NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2018
NCAA Tournament Win: vs. Yale (11/30/2018)
Did You Know?
- Three Orange student-athletes have earned All-America honors, including Kelly Duan (2004/05), Santita Ebangwese (2018) and Polina Shemanova (2018), while 22 have earned all-conference honors (five All-ACC and 17 All-BIG EAST).
- Polina Shemanova is the only player to win ACC Freshman of the Year (2018). She holds a program record for most kills per set, with 5.16 in 2019.
- In 2018-19 Santita Ebangwese earned an abundance of honors following her senior campaign, including:
- AVCA All-America Honorable Mention
- AVCA Regional All-America
- All-ACC First Team
- 2019 Syracuse University Scholar
- CoSIDA Academic All-America Third Team
- CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team
- ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year
- ACC and NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship award winner
- 2019 Soladay Award
