Women's Athletic Endowment Established at Kalamazoo College

The Tish Loveless Women's Athletic Endowment, established through the generosity of Elaine (Goff) Hutchcroft '63, was announced at a ceremony following the Kalamazoo College women's tennis match on Monday, April 21. The generous gift of $560,000 will support and enhance the eight current varsity women's athletic teams, and will continue to impact women's teams of future generations.

Elaine Hutchcroft (left) with Tish Loveless

Elaine and her late Husband, Alan Hutchcroft '63, were athletes at Kalamazoo College and have been great admirers of Tish for many years. It is Elaine's desire to establish this endowed fund to honor Tish and to recognize her impact on women's athletics at Kalamazoo College.

Kalamazoo College Director of Athletics Kristen Smith said, "Just as Tish impacted so many women athletes throughout her life, this gift ensures that her legacy and contributions to women athletes will continue well into the future."

Ada "Tish" Loveless, pioneer of women's athletics at Kalamazoo College, is the most successful coach of women's teams in the history of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. During her years at the College, she was instrumental in ensuring that women had opportunities to compete, not only at "K", but also in the league and throughout the state. Her teams won 28 league championships - 23 in tennis, four in archery, and one in field hockey. Her 1986 women's tennis squad finished third in the nation.

In 1986, the year of her retirement, Tish was named Professor Emerita of Physical Education by her faculty colleagues. In 1988 she was inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of America (NACDA) Hall of Fame. During her tenure at Kalamazoo College she introduced or rejuvenated eight women's intercollegiate athletic programs, including tennis, field hockey, archery, swimming, basketball, volleyball, soccer and cross country.

A lifelong athlete, Tish competed in tennis tournaments and played with the Detroit and Ann Arbor Field Hockey Associations in Great Lakes regional tournaments. She plays a mean round of golf to this day.

For opportunities to impact current and future generations of athletes in a similar manner, please consider making a gift to the Kalamazoo Athletic Fund. For information on establishing or contributing to endowments, please contact a member of the major gifts staff.