Bridgewater College

VIDEO: M. LOUISE OWEN HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY

Big things were expected of Louise Owen when she came to Bridgewater College in the fall of 1952. The recipient of her high school's Babe Ruth Award for "most athletic girl," Owen promised to be a standout in field hockey and basketball. Owen fulfilled those expectations and more.

On the field hockey pitch, right inner Owen led the Eagles to a four-year record of 19-3-2, including two undefeated seasons and the 1953 Allied "West" Tournament Championship. In the Allied, Owen scored BC's lone goal in a 1-0 win in the championship and was named to the all-tournament team. On the basketball court, Owen displayed similar prowess leading the team in scoring for three straight seasons from her forward post position. "Lou's" Eagles coasted to a four-year mark of 34-3, including an undefeated 9-0 season in 1954-55. In the spring, Owen tried her hand at tennis for the first time and proved sensational as well, never losing an intercollegiate match. Owen led BC to a 23-1 record from 1953-55, as the Eagles captured conference championships in two of the three seasons.

As if her athletic endeavors weren't enough, Owen took on the added responsibility of teaching physical education classes during her senior year. In the absence of a coach, Owen led the field hockey and basketball teams to undefeated seasons as player/coach in 1955-56. Recognized by her peers for her accomplishments, Owen was twice an all-state selection in field hockey and was chosen by the Bridgewater students as the 1954 "Woman Athlete-of-the-Year."

After graduation, Owen continued to stay involved in athletics. As a graduate student at Ohio State University, Owen won the national free throw championship and was named a member of the Die Sieger women's basketball team. The team posted a 39-4 record during Owen's two year stint and was the national runner-up at the AAU Basketball Championships in 1967.

Owen continued her athletic involvement as a member of the Pacific Southwest Association Field Hockey team at the National Tournament in 1972. Living in Los Angeles, Owen later returned to the tournament for the Pacific Southwest team.