The Evolution of Women's Athletics at Aquinas College

For decades, women at Aquinas College weren't supposed to compete, at least not seriously. Yet from a lone cheerleading squad in 1949 to athletes like Sherry Wilder dominating men's golf teams in the 1960s, Aquinas women have repeatedly defied expectations, shattered records, and forced the college—and the nation—to rethink what women's sports could be. Long before women's athletics received widespread attention, Aquinas was already creating opportunities, and the passage of Title IX in 1972 gave the college the foundation to expand its programs and cement its role as a leader in women's sports. Today, these trailblazers' legacy isn't just history; it's a living, championship-winning powerhouse that refuses to be underestimated.

The Beginning of Women's Athletics

The first organized athletic opportunity for women at Aquinas came in 1949 with the creation of the college's cheerleading program. At the time, women's participation in collegiate athletics across the United States was still limited, and cheerleading often served as one of the few structured outlets for women to be involved in athletics on campus.

While it was not a varsity sport in the way modern teams operate, cheerleading marked an important starting point. It established a visible role for women in Aquinas athletics and helped lay the groundwork for the growth of competitive women's sports in the decades that followed.

Breaking Barriers on the Golf Course

Another early milestone came in the 1960s with the development of the college's golf program. The team was established in 1947 by coach Rev. Fay, and during those early years women began finding opportunities to compete in the sport.

One of the most notable pioneers was Sherry Wilder, a Grand Rapids native and graduate of Union High School who competed on the Aquinas men's golf team during the mid-1960s. At a time when opportunities for women in collegiate athletics were extremely limited, Wilder was one of only three women nationally to receive a scholarship to compete on a men's collegiate golf team.

During her final two seasons at Aquinas, Wilder won approximately 70 percent of her matches against male opponents and earned medalist honors at an NCAA event hosted at Michigan State University, where she also set a course record. She went on to win numerous West Michigan tournaments, including four Grand Rapids city championships, and was the low amateur at the 1965 Wolverine Open.

Wilder later competed professionally on the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour for seven years, setting eleven competitive course records during her career. She also became the first female head golf professional in the Palm Springs area in 1974 and later served as a general manager, instructor and author, continuing to break barriers in the sport long after her collegiate career ended.

Expansion of Women's Sports

Women's athletics at Aquinas began expanding significantly during the late 1970s and early 1980s as colleges across the country increased opportunities for women in competitive sports.

One of the earliest additions during this period was women's volleyball, which was introduced in 1976. Under coach Sharon Schatz, the program quickly developed into a competitive team during the mid-1990s, capturing multiple conference championships and helping establish a strong tradition for women's athletics at Aquinas.

Women's basketball soon followed and rapidly became one of the college's most successful programs. Under coach Patti Tibaldi, the Lady Saints built a reputation for excellence on the court. In 1984, the team captured the National Catholic Championship, marking one of the most significant accomplishments in Aquinas women's athletic history.

One of the most accomplished players from that era was Kathy Grzegorski, who scored 2,037 career points, making her one of the most prolific scorers in the history of Aquinas basketball.

The expansion continued with the addition of women's soccer in 1992. The program quickly developed into a competitive force within the WHAC, and improvements in athletic facilities, including the installation of a new artificial turf field in 2008, further strengthened the program for future generations.

The Saints Today

Over the decades, Aquinas women's athletics has grown into a broad and competitive program featuring teams in basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, golf, tennis, cross country, track and field, lacrosse and more.

Recent seasons have highlighted the continued success of these programs. The Aquinas volleyball team, for example, has emerged as one of the most dominant teams in the WHAC in recent years. In 2024, the Saints posted an impressive 40–3 overall record, finishing conference play undefeated while winning the WHAC championship outright. The team followed that performance with another remarkable season in 2025, finishing 33–7 overall and once again going undefeated in conference play. Both seasons concluded with national tournament appearances in the NAIA, reinforcing Aquinas' place among the top programs in the country. 

This success is reflected not only in wins and championships, but also in the experiences of the athletes themselves. As volleyball alum Samee Teachworth shared, "Aquinas Volleyball had been a home for me from the very beginning. Whether on the court or in the classroom, I always felt supported while being pushed to become the best version of myself. AQVB is built on a truly positive and uplifting environment—we played for each other, and that bond is what made it so special."

Excellence in women's athletics at Aquinas extends beyond traditional court and field sports. The college's dance team has built one of the most successful runs in conference history. Competing in the WHAC, the team captured conference championships in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2026, establishing a remarkable streak that highlights the athleticism, precision and dedication required to compete at a high level in collegiate dance. Dance alum Meg Christian reflected on her experience, saying, "Dancing at Aquinas was truly the highlight of my career as it shaped how I conduct myself in the workplace. By being a student athlete I was given the opportunity to learn how to balance priorities which is fundamental post-graduation. More importantly dance is considered a sport at Aquinas and surrounded by the amazing staff I was able to be treated like an athlete and given opportunities many other dancers do not receive at other universities. I was blessed to have an amazing team and coach who I am still close with today."

Continuing the Legacy

For many athletes, their time competing for Aquinas creates a lifelong connection to the college. Several former student-athletes have returned to campus to continue contributing to the community that shaped their collegiate experience.

Among them is Mary Takas, who played softball for Aquinas from 1980 to 1985 and served as the Saints' starting catcher for four seasons. In addition to softball, she also competed in basketball during her time as a student-athlete. After graduating in 1985, Takas returned to Aquinas to serve as the head coach of the softball program from 1989 to 1994, helping guide the next generation of Saints athletes.

Another alumni, Ellie Adams, joined the Aquinas College athletic department in the summer of 2024 as the head coach of the JV softball team. A former standout for the Saints from 2014 to 2017, Adams batted .331 over her career with 160 hits, 38 doubles, 16 home runs and 105 RBIs, including a team-best .341 average in 2016. After graduating, she moved into coaching with stops at Kalamazoo College, Indiana Tech and Agnes Scott College before returning to Aquinas. Adams now helps lead the next generation of student-athletes while building on the program's growth.

Reflecting on her experience, she said, "Women's History Month reminds me of how powerful opportunity can be and how one decision can impact the rest of our lives. I'm forever grateful that I had the opportunity to play college softball at Aquinas College. I was fortunate to have teammates who became sisters and coaches who became lifelong mentors. I look back and it's incredible to see how much this program has grown. Having our own turf field will only catapult this program to new heights. I am proud to be one of the many women a part of Aquinas Softball history."

From Athlete to Advocate

As a four-year women's lacrosse player, a season-long rugby player as a graduate assistant, and now the Sports Information Director at Aquinas College, I've been fortunate to experience this community from many perspectives. Each role has offered unique challenges and opportunities to grow, from the intensity of competition on the field to the behind-the-scenes work of supporting our student-athletes as SID. In this unique position, I've had the chance to experience the past, live in the present, and gain a glimpse of the future of women's athletics at Aquinas. I am constantly reminded that the opportunities I've had were made possible by the trailblazing women who came before me, who fought to create space for women in athletics and set a standard of excellence and dedication. While there is still progress to be made, their work allowed me to step confidently into these opportunities, fully embrace athletics, and develop as a leader. Aquinas has given me mentorship, lifelong friendships, and a sense of belonging that I will carry with me long after my time here, and I am proud to continue contributing to a community that has given me, and women's athletics so much.

Looking Ahead

From the first cheerleaders in 1949 to championship-winning teams and nationally competitive programs today, women's athletics at Aquinas College has evolved into a central part of campus life. Each generation of athletes has helped build upon the legacy of those who came before them.

As Aquinas celebrates women in sports, that legacy continues to grow, through the pioneers who first opened doors, the teams that compete for championships and the alumni who return to mentor the next generation of Saints.