Hall of Fame - 1994

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 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 our 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 organizations of the Cleveland Field Hockey Association because of her special interest in this sport. Sports Days, riding meets, tennis matches, 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.

Carol Joy White Pancoast

Carolyn Joy White Pancoast graduated from Lake Erie College cum laude in 1980, with a major in equestrian studies. A Dorm Council Class Representative for three years, she also served as president of the sophomore class and was a member of the advisory board to the Equestrian Center. She played on the field hockey team for four years, serving as captain during her senior year and winning the Most Valuable Player title during her junior year. She played lacrosse for the Cleveland Club Team for two years, and was a member of the Champion Prix de Villes Dressage Team and fifth-place individual during her senior year.

She was honored by Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, and earned a Faculty Citation for Scholarly Distinction three times. A member of Mortar Board during her junior and senior years, White Pancoast also served as secretary/treasurer of the Social Board. She was a four-year member of the riding club, serving as secretary during her junior year and president during her senior year.

Completing her academic term abroad at the Talland School of Equitation in Gloucestershire, England, she was also certified by the British Horse Society as an assistant instructor.

Since graduation, White Pancoast has pursued a career in the equestrian field. She has held various riding, instructor and trainer positions. In 1985, she served as cross-country chairman for the North Texas Training Association Horse Preliminary Championships for Area V. She designed courses for the North Texas Combined Training Association Combined Tests in 1984, the Seis Lagoa Combined Tests in 1984 and 1985 and the Hilltop View Horse Trials in 1992, 1993 and 1994.

In 1986, she was a member of the Philadelphia Lacrosse Club. She was named the North Texas Combined Training Association Senior Rider/Horseman of the Year in 1985. She has served as Stadium Jumping Chairman of the Hilltop View Horse Trials since 1992. White Pancoast presently teaches, trains, and competes on a limited, private basis.

She and her husband S. Franklin reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania. They have two children, Samuel and Wesley.

Jody McMillan Sanders

Jody McMillan Sanders graduated from Lake Erie College in 1981 with majors in physical education, health education and equestrian studies. During her years at Lake Erie, she was a three-year letter winner in volleyball, basketball and softball. She was voted Most Valuable Player of the volleyball team in 1979, and in 1979, 1980 and 1981 Most Valuable Player in basketball. She also served as Faculty Assistant to the Athletic Administrator.

A member of the Mortar Board National Honor Society, Sanders was a recipient of the James F. Lincoln Memorial Scholarship, and in her senior year, earned the Jane White Lincoln Perpetual Athletic Award and was honored by Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. She was also the student representative to AIAW.

During her Academic Term Abroad, she traveled throughout England, Scotland and Wales and graduated from Kellet Riding Institute in Kill, Ireland. In 1979 she completed two internships - one as Assistant Athletic Director and Coach of the Junior Olympic Track and Field Team for the Kirtland United Way and one as Instructor of the Physical Fitness/Conditioning Program for Community Women of Painesville, held at Lake Erie College.

After graduation from Lake Erie College, Sanders earned graduate teaching assistantships in physical education and graduate coaching in women's basketball at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she earned her master's degree.

In 1982, she joined the staff of Calhoun High School in Port Lavaca as health education and physical education teacher. She served as the school's varsity volleyball and junior varsity basketball coach, coordinated county high school and junior high volleyball programs, and directed the Sandie Basketball Tournament. In varsity volleyball, her overall record was 68-57, her district record was 32-22, with two playoff appearances between 1985-1989. Sanders also coached junior varsity volleyball from 1983 to 1985, and freshman volleyball from 1982-83. Her overall record for junior varsity basketball stands at 96-43, her district record at 52-16, with three district championships, two of them being undefeated titles earned between 1983-89. She also coached freshman basketball and track from 1982-1983.

Sanders is a Senior Claim Representative for State Farm Insurance and a member of the company's National Special Disaster Team. She and her husband reside in Victoria, Texas with stepson Jeremy. She and her husband are awaiting the birth of a child.

The Hall of Fame committee recognizes all of these accomplishments by honoring Jody McMillan Sanders as an inductee in the Lake Erie College Athletic Hall of Fame on April 20, 1994.

M. Eleanor Wray

M. Eleanor "Bunny" Wray graduated from Lake Erie College in 1943 with majors in Sociology and Health Education. She received a Fifth Year Certificate in Physical Education in 1944. As a student, Bunny participated in the Glee Club, International Relations, Tiber Board and the Aviation Club. She served as Business Manager of the Athletic Association, Class President, Treasurer of the YWCA and as a College Lifeguard.

After graduation from Lake Erie, Wary earned a Master of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education from Pennsylvania State University. She also pursued additional studies at the University of Pittsburgh. She taught Health and Physical Education in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Iowa. She joined the Health and Physical Education staff at Bloomsburg State College in 1957, assuming the duties of Women's Intramural Director as well as B Club and Water Ballet advisor.

In 1962 she helped initiate and organize the women's field hockey and basketball varsity sports and coached the field hockey team. With the inception of swimming and tennis as varsity sports at the college in 1972, Wray became coordinator of women's intercollegiate athletics and coached tennis. Upon retirement from Bloomsburg State College, she had spent 30 years in the education field.

In addition to serving women's athletics, Wray also served her country during World War II as a member of the U.S. Army Special Services in Germany.

Wray passed away on September 26, 1985 while playing tennis. Following her death, a classmate established the M. Eleanor Wray Award in Student Leadership. This cash award is given annually to a student government board member for the purpose of attending seminars and conferences designed to assist students in becoming better leaders on the Lake Erie College campus. Her fellow classmates joined in the award on the occasion of their 50th anniversary.