Bridgewater College

VIDEO: RUTH "BETSY" TANDY HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY

Betsy Tandy was a three-sport coach at Bridgewater College in the early 1950s and assembled some of the college's most dominant women's teams. She coached basketball, field hockey and tennis and was a professor of physical education at the college during tenures from 1950-55 and 1957-61. During those periods, she was also Director of Physical Education for women at the college Betsy put together a 72-10 record as the basketball coach at BC. She led the Eagles to three undefeated seasons, in 1954-55 (9-0), 1959-60 (9-0) and in the 1960-61 when the college was 11-0. Her winning percentage at Bridgewater was a remarkable 87.8%. Betsy also coached field hockey and guided the team to an overall mark of 28-15-14, with two other fine seasons undocumented. She organized the first intercollegiate women's tennis team in the spring of 1952 and posted undefeated marks in 1952, '53 and '55. Over this period, Betsy's won-lost record was 24-1. She returned in 1957, coaching tennis from 1958-61, losing only four matches over the four year period. Overall, Betsy's record was 37-9 as the Bridgewater College women's tennis coach.

Betsy received her B.A. degree at the University of Kentucky and her M.S. degree at the University of Indiana. After returning to Bridgewater she was recognized for her contribution in care and nursing the student body during the severe influenza epidemic of 1957. One of Betsy's star athletes in the mid-1950s was M. Louise Owen, who was one of the five initial inductees into the Bridgewater College Hall of Fame.

Betsy Tandy was ahead of her time as a leader and a coach. Her contributions to women's athletics at Bridgewater College were superior and remain as an example for others to emulate.