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Spotlight on the Athletics Hall of Fame
Cameron Adams
Sports Information Director
Mildred "Bee" Newman Thayer '61
Charter member of the Athletics Hall of Fame
As a child, Thayer had several illnesses, including polio, but fought back to have a healthy, active life. She has always loved the outdoors and considered herself a tomboy, playing touch football, basketball, baseball, or climbing trees with the neighborhood kids.
Thayer went to the Kent Place School, where she played field hockey, basketball, baseball and tennis, and in 1957 entered Sweet Briar College. She describes "the rolling hills, the athletic programs, and a wonderful biology department that offered a major." Thayer has fond memories of her teachers, including Jane Belcher, Elizabeth Sprague, and Dr. Miriam Bennett. Harriet Rogers and Kay Macdonald were her coaches in hockey, basketball, tennis, and baseball. She remembers student government, longer labs and her time in the library as requiring her to balance her time more efficiently. Especially memorable were the tennis trips to the Homestead to compete against Hollins on the clay courts.
Thayer recalls working on stick work and drills in hockey practice. She can still hear Miss Rogers saying, "Newman, keep your stick down, and on the ball, then pass!"
After graduation in 1961 and a summer trip to Europe, she started a job at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons as a research assistant. In 1963, she married Brad Thayer. They have three children, Emily, Bill and Chris, and five grandchildren. Their active lives include tennis, swimming, hiking, canoeing, skiing, and a new love, golf.
The Sweet Briar College Athletics Hall of Fame honors special achievement by alumnae and others who have been associated with athletics at the College. These individuals have helped bring recognition, honor, distinction, and excellence to Sweet Briar College and the intercollegiate athletics program. Help us to select the next honoree by nominating an alumna.
Athletics Hall of Fame Nomination Form
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