TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State Athletics continues its year-long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX today by recognizing the life and impact of Sycamore Hall of Famer Alpha Cleary.
ISU Athletics will be spotlighting a different pioneer or trailblazer every month starting in August 2022 and carrying through June 2023. The ISU Title IX series is brought to you in partnership with the Hamilton Center.
A former teacher, coach, and administrator at Indiana State, Alpha Cleary served the university for 30 years spanning from 1958-88. She was inducted as a part of the 23rd ISU Hall of Fame Class in 2014.
A 1954 graduate of Indiana University, Cleary came to the Sycamores as an Associate Professor of Physical Education and coached the women's basketball team (1966-1969) as women's intercollegiate athletics began to take shape at Indiana State and across the nation.
She became the athletic director for the women's program in 1972 and served as the associate director of athletics when the men's and women's programs were combined. She retired in 1988. Cleary also served as Indiana State's first Compliance Officer.
During her tenure as athletic director she directed the women's program of 13 sports from a meager start to a program with 128 grants-in-aid.
She was instrumental in the establishment of the Indiana State Athletics Hall of Fame and served as an ex-officio member of the committee for six years. Cleary gave the invocation at three of the first four induction ceremonies including the first class which was inducted on Feb. 29, 1982.
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on the Sycamore Athletics, make sure to check out
GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including
Facebook and
Twitter. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from both the
App Store and the
Google Play Store.
