Hall of Fame - 1990

Ruth Potwine Bartlett, better known as "Mrs. B.," attended Mt. Holyoke College and Arnold College of Physical Education from which she received a bachelor of science degree in 1904. She taught physical education in Erie, Pennsylvania and directed the physical education program at the YWCA there before coming to Lake Erie College in 1907 as an instructor of physical education.

After a short time, she resigned to study medicine for three years at NY Medical College where she met her husband. Upon the death of her husband, she accepted the position of head of the physical education department at Winthrop College in South Carolina where she remained for 10 years. She returned to Lake Erie College in 1928 in the same position until she retired in 1949, a total of 28 years at Lake Erie College.

"Mrs. B." was responsible for many innovations on the Lake Erie campus during her tenure as head of the physical education department. She initiated a Fifth Year Program in physical education which combined a liberal arts undergraduate program with a fifth-year professional program leading to a graduate certificate in physical education. Before World War II, she developed a course in aviation. With the beginning of the war, Lake Erie College was one of two colleges selected by the federal government to provide an aviation training program.

She brought outstanding athletes to the campus for the annual Sports Day, was one of the first to promote modern dance in this area of Ohio, and was one of the organizors of the Cleveland Field Hockey Association because of her special interest in the sport. Sports Days, riding meets, tennis matches and swimming meets were always peak days on the college calendar. Upon her retirement, "Mrs. B." returned home in New England where she died in January of 1962.

As a pioneer of the athletic program at Lake Erie College, it is fitting that Ruth Potwine Bartlett be inducted posthumously into the Athletic Hall of Fame on this April 27, 1990.

Eva Ann McCheskey

Eva Ann McCheskey majored in physical education and social studies at Lake Erie College receiving her bachelor of arts degree in 1935. The following year, she received the graduate certificate in physical education from LEC and an master of arts degree in corrective physical education from Teachers College at Columbia University in 1948.

Track and field events were her athletic specialties as she held college records in the discus, javelin, baseball throw and basketball throw. She also received the highest individual points in track in 1933.

During two of her undergraduate years, she was on the varsity basketball team as well as the varsity field hockey team. For her athletic accomplishments, she was awarded the Lake Erie College Blazer, the highest athletic award. After teaching physical education in Ohio for five years, McCheskey, for a short time, pursued a career in physical therapy with the U.S. Armed forces during World War II in England and at the Veterans Hospital in Brecksville, Ohio.

She returned to education by taking additional courses at the University of Michigan while teaching on the elementary level in Liviona, Michigan. She also returned to Lake Erie College for a short time as a member of faculty in education. McCheskey retired from teaching in 1975 and now spends a great deal of time in Florida playing golf and traveling. She has visited all 50 of our states, her traveling goal.

It is indeed fitting for the Hall of Fame Committee of Lake Erie College to recognize Eva Ann McCheskey's athletic accomplishments by inducting her into the Athletic Hall of Fame on the April 27, 1990.

Jane Pease

Jane Pease graduated from Lake Erie College in 1942 with a bachelor of arts degree. She returned for a fifth year to receive the graduate certificate in physical education in 1943.

In 1951, she received an master of arts degree in physical education from Western Reserve University. During her undergraduate years, she was a member of the varsity teams in field hockey and basketball for all four years. She was also an outstanding performer in track and field, holding several college records.

In her senior year, she was awarded a Lake Erie College Blazer, the highest athletic award. Upon her graduation, she continued to play club field hockey and was selected as a member of the Great Lakes Team several years. Pease was a national official in basketball, field hockey and track and field, and for about 30 years, officiated games and meets in these sports.

Professionally she was appointed to the faculty of physical education at Fenn College which became Cleveland State University, and taught there for 38 years. Besides teaching, she was also the first women's basketball and tennis coach at CSU. In 1984, Pease was the first women elected to the Athletic Hall of Fame at Cleveland State University.

The Hall of Fame Committee of Lake Erie College recognizes all of these accomplishments by honoring Jane Pease as an inductee into our Athletic Hall of Fame on this April 27, 1990.

Helen Perry Thomas

Helen Perry Thomas received a bachelor of arts degree from Lake Erie College in 1941 and in 1942, earned a graduate certificate in physical education. She was an outstanding swimmer and diver. She received national recognition when in 1939 and 1941 she held the national championship for the 100-yard backstroke.

Perry Thomas was elected a member of the 1940 USA Olympic swimming team, as well as the American swim team which toured South America. She also held Lake Erie College records in the 40-yard breaststroke, 40-yard backstroke and 100-yard freestyle, as well as for the highest individual points in swimming and diving.

During her sophomore, junior and senior years, she was also a member of the varsity field hockey team. From 1942 to 1946, Perry Thomas was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. Soon after the war, she married First Lieutenant Alfred Thomas of the U.S. Marine Corps. They have four children, all of whom have made their mark in swimming.

She continues her interest in athletics by playing golf regularly and assisting with women's golf tournaments in North Carolina where she lives now.

For these outstanding athletic achievements the Hall of Fame Committee is pleased to induct Helen Perry Thomas into the Athletic Hall of Fame on this April 27, 1990.