From Director of Athletics Laurie Priest

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--because 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.

About Laurie Priest
Laurie Priest has been Chair of Physical Education and Director of Athletics at Mount Holyoke since 1989. She has been active professionally on the state, regional, and national level for over 20 years. Priest served as President of the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS) in 1989-1990 and has consistently donated her time and energy to accomplished committees, including the NCAA Women's Committee on Committees (1991-1994), the Executive Council of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (1993-1996), the Executive Board of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA) (1996-2000), and the Board of Governors for the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) (1999-2002).

In addition to her numerous responsibilities at Mount Holyoke, Priest has also published many articles and is a frequent presenter at conferences. She has also received several awards for her contributions to women's athletics. In 1991, she received the Mabel Lee award from AAHPERD and in 1992 was inducted into the Northeast New Agenda Hall of Fame. In 1997, she was awarded the Massachusetts Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Merit Award for outstanding leadership. Most recently, 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.

Priest received her B.S. in physical education from the College of Wooster (Ohio) and her M.S. 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 in Arlington, Virginia.