Bridgewater College

VIDEO: DOLORES HEATWOLE HOAK HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY

As a student at Bridgewater College from 1952-56, Dolores Heatwole Hoak played a major role in one of the greatest eras in women's athletics ever at the college as a four-year letter-winner in field hockey, basketball, and tennis.

Hoak led the field hockey team to a four-year record of 21-4-2 as a center-forward, including undefeated seasons in 1953 and '55, and scored 12 of the Eagle's 29 team goals during the team's 6-0 campaign of 1953. Hoak also helped the basketball squad to a stellar 34-3 record over four years, including a 9-0 mark in 1954-55. She averaged 13.0 points per game as a sophomore, 15.0 as a junior and 17.0 her senior season. Furthermore, Hoak led the tennis team to a 24-1 record during her four varsity seasons. While still a senior at Bridgewater, Hoak joined fellow Hall of Fame members Louise Owens and Jane Heishman as coaches and instructors of the Bridgewater Health and Physical Education Program and women's athletic teams for the 1955-56 school year, and was instrumental in the field hockey, basketball and tennis teams compiling a combined 20-1-2 record that year.

Hoak later obtained certification as a National Basketball and Field Hockey official and continued in those capacities after graduation. In addition, she was voted as Bridgewater's first princess representative to the annual Apple Blossom Festival her junior year. Hoak graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1956 and gained her Teacher Certification in Health and Physical Education from James Madison University in 1981. She has served as a substitute teacher in the field of Health and Physical Education in Junior High and High School classes in the Shenandoah Valley, and also quite active in her church as a Sunday School teacher and a member of many committees. Hoak also has worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines and is still active with the Clipped Wings Association of United Alumnae which has raised over $750,000 for philanthropic purposes.

Delores Heatwole Hoak was known as a fiery competitor for the Eagles who helped Bridgewater athletics reach unprecedented heights during her undergraduate days. Her devotion to the College and continued service to the community after her graduation make her an exemplary member of the Bridgewater College Athletic Hall of Fame.