Title: | Senior Lecturer of Physical Education |
Phone: | 413-538-3545 |
Email: | lpriest@mtholyoke.edu |
"It has been said that athletics success begins in the mind.
No game is won through raw strength alone and no matter how
talented you are, you always have something to learn. The
recognition of these truths lies at the heart of all of Mount
Holyoke's programs in physical education and
athletics. That is why instructional classes for
"non-athletes," for example, live under the same roof as our
competitive NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics program and
why all our coaches are dedicated both to building successful
programs for their athletes and to teaching a variety of classes in
the instructional program. It's also why we require
all students to take three semesters of physical education classes
in their four years here. We want to give each student the chance
to reach her full physical potential, whether that means allowing
the athlete within to shine through, or simply discovering
enjoyable activities that will enhance the rest of her life." ---
Laurie Priest
Getting to Know Laurie Priest
Laurie Priest is a senior lecturer in the Department of
Physical Education at Mount Holyoke, a role that she has been in
since 1989. She is also the former Chair of Physical Education and
Director of Athletics at Mount Holyoke serving in that capacity
from 1989 until 2012. Priest is a tireless advocate for
equality in sport for girls and women and has been recognized
nationally for her work to promote and support Title IX.
In recent years, she has focused much of her outside professional
work towards combating homophobia in intercollegiate athletics. She
recently served as Chair of the Social Justice Committee of the
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and
Dance (AAHPERD). Additionally, she often speaks on the importance
of addressing social justice issues in sport.
Over her career, Priest has given the majority of her time to
committees that involve women. She served as President of the
National Association for Girls and Women (NAGWS) in Sport in
1989-90 and has consistently donated her time and energy to
accomplished committees, including the NCAA Women's Committee on
Committees (1991-94), the Executive Council of the Eastern College
Athletic Conference (1993-96), the Executive Board of the National
Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators
(NACWAA) (1996-2000) and the Board of Governors for
AAHPERD (1999-2002).
In addition to her numerous responsibilities at Mount Holyoke,
Priest has published many articles and is a frequent presenter at
conferences. She has received several awards for her contributions
to women's athletics. In 1991, she received the Mabel Lee award
from AAHPERD, and in 1992, she was inducted into the Northeast New
Agenda Hall of Fame. In 1997, Priest was awarded the Massachusetts
Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Merit Award for
outstanding leadership.
Priest was named the 2002 Woman of the Year for Division III
athletics by NACWAA and was recognized by the National Association
for Girls and Women in Sport as their Honor Award recipient that
same year. In 2007, she was named one of the 100 Most Influential
Sports Educators in America by the Institute for International
Sport. Two years later, she was selected by the
Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation and Dance as its Pathfinder Award winner.
Priest received her Bachelor of Science Degree in physical
education from the College of Wooster (Ohio) and her Master
of Science Degree in exercise physiology from the
University of Maryland-College Park. Prior to coming to Mount
Holyoke, Priest served for seven years as Director of Athletics,
Assistant Professor and Swim Coach at Marymount University
(Va.).
When Priest is not at Mount Holyoke, you will find her hiking
with her three dogs or sea kayaking the islands of Maine.