Vassar College Athletics

From 1937 until her retirement in 1978, Betty Richey was the driving force in shaping intercollegiate athletics at Vassar College.  During her 41 year tenure, she was the first head coach of the field hockey, tennis, and squash teams, establishing the first-ever collegiate women's squash program in 1937.  Richey significantly influenced the regional and national growth of squash as a college sport, initiating individual and team women's national intercollegiate tournaments.  Her contributions earned her inductions into the United States Squash Hall of Fame and the College Squash Hall of Fame. Beyond squash, Richey's athletic prowess on the field led to her induction into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the National Field Hockey Hall of Fame as a U.S. National team athlete in both sports.