Mollie Fleet ’33 (posthumous award)

Revered and adored by those she coached and taught at St. Catherine’s while serving as Director of Athletics for 23 years (1947-70) and teaching Physical Education for 37 years, “Miss Mollie” was the consummate role model and mentor. Her experience as a multisport standout at Westhampton College, a USA Field Hockey player and a basketball and field hockey official gave her the tools to positively influence young women to set goals and work hard. Miss Mollie’s accolades provided inspiration to all of those who knew her. She played basketball, field hockey, tennis and ran track in the 1930s while at Westhampton (now University of Richmond). She accepted many leadership roles for women’s athletics at a time when there was no path for women to follow. For all of her contributions to women’s athletics, Mollie Fleet was inducted into the University of Richmond Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

 

At the time Betty Baugh won the City of Richmond Tennis Championship in 1975, she was the youngest player to ever accomplish such a feat. She was a standout field hockey and tennis athlete at St. Catherine’s where she made the varsity tennis team as an eighth grader. Betty Baugh was well respected as a scholar athlete; she served as a Prefect, was named June Scholar and was inducted into the Cum Laude Society. She continued her tennis career at the University of North Carolina where she was an ACC champion in singles and doubles. She was nationally ranked from 1973-76, as high as No. 9 in doubles and No. 43 in singles. Betty Baugh has completed more than 20 marathons, often among the top 10 runners in her age group. Her contributions to the Richmond community, especially through her veterinary practice, earned her the St. Catherine's Distinguished Alumna Award in 2007 and a commendation from the General Assembly.

 

A true pioneer for women’s athletics, Amanda’s athletic prowess was well respected among her contemporaries. Her leadership and sportsmanship as the White Team Captain and as a three-sport varsity athlete earned her the “White Blazer Award” at St. Catherine’s. Amanda earned 12 varsity letters, four each in field hockey, basketball and softball, all while competing outside of St. Catherine’s on the City of Richmond tennis team and was crowned a three-time Richmond City Women’s Champion in 1958, 1959, and 1961. Amanda went on to Wheaton College where she excelled in field hockey, basketball and tennis. She also served as president of the college’s Athletic Association. A devoted alumna, Amanda returned to Richmond and has served St. Catherine’s in a number of roles including tennis and field hockey coach, Director of Athletics, Director of Minimester and the Waterman (outdoor education) program leader. She continued her competitive field hockey career playing for the Richmond Club and was selected to play at the regional level. She also continued her tennis career winning the City Championship doubles in 1970.

 

A dominant force on the hockey field at the league, state and NCAA Division I level, Alexis helped lead St. Catherine’s to the School's first-ever LIS field hockey title and first-ever state field hockey championship. She was a three-time All LIS and All State selection and two-time High School All American. Alexis also earned varsity letters in soccer, indoor track and lacrosse. While at Princeton University, she was an All Ivy performer who helped lead the Tigers to three Ivy League Championships, three NCAA tournament appearances and one NCAA Final Four appearance. She played on the U.S. Junior National field hockey team 1999-2003 and the USA National Field Hockey team in 2005. Alexis served as an assistant coach at Princeton in 2005 and the University of Richmond in 2010. Her twin sister, Natalie, was inducted in the inaugural St. Catherine’s Athletic Hall of Fame class.

 

Named St. Catherine’s Outstanding Senior Athlete in 1983, Natalie received 12 varsity letters in her high school career and served as captain for the field hockey and lacrosse teams, and also played basketball. Natalie continued her outstanding field hockey and lacrosse career at Princeton University. She held Princeton career scoring and points records for women's lacrosse for 10 years and remains ninth in career goals (132). She was Princeton's first female All American in lacrosse (1983), was named First Team All Ivy (1980, 1983) and was a team captain for lacrosse. From 1980-1983, Natalie played on the United States Lacrosse squad. Princeton awarded her the Emily Goodfellow Award for Women's Lacrosse and the C. Ottovo Kienbusch Sportswoman of the Year Award in 1983. She was also awarded an NCAA post graduate scholar athlete scholarship and the Daniel M. Sachs Award to study at Oxford University where she played field hockey and lacrosse. She was chosen to captain the British University select team. She continues to coach youth field hockey, soccer and lacrosse in Colorado.