ITA Women's Hall of Fame
McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center

Mildred B. West

 

With unparalleled drive and dedication, Millie West (b.1934) built a legacy for all future collegiate champions. Arriving at the College of William & Mary in 1959, West rose from instructor to full professor, compiled a 208-28-2 record as tennis coach, and skillfully guided the athletics program through the turbulent years of Title IX. During her 17-year tenure as women's athletic director the program budget increased from $19,000 to more than $1 million.

A tireless advocate for women's tennis, West was honored with the USTA's Special Merit Award in 1986. She chaired the Wightman Cup matches in the United States throughout the 1980s, featuring such greats as Martina Navratilova and Virginia Wade. Fulfilling a long-held dream, West crowned her career by spearheading construction of the McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center and securing a permanent home for the ITA Women's Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame. 

Millie with Betsy and Mark McCormack

 

Millie with Mark McCormack (left) and W&M President Tim Sullivan

 

Career Highlights

B.S.'57 Georgia State College for Women; M.A.'59 University of Maryland

Head Coach, W&M Women's Tennis Team 1965-1972, 1975-1980 (202-28-2 record)

AIAW Division II Commissioner 1981-1982

Director, Mid-Atlantic Tennis Association (MATA) Junior Wightman Cup Matches 1970-80

Director, W&M Women's Athletics 1969-1986; Associate Athletic Director, Men's and Women's Athletics 1986-1991

Chair, W&M Department of Physical Education 1969-1979

Raised more than $2 million for endowment of W&M women's athletics; $1.5 million for the tennis program

Tournament Chair, Wightman Cup Matches 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989

Member, USTA Wightman Cup/Federation Cup Committee 1986-1990; Federation Cup Committee 1997-present; Intercollegiate Tennis Committee 1987-present

Selected for the USTA Educational Merit Award 1986

MidAtlantic Tennis Association Special Award of Merit 1987

Alumni Achievement Award, Georgia College 1988

Awarded Professor Emerita and Honorary Alumna Status, College of William & Mary 1991

Sports Information Directors Distinguished Service Award 1992

Chair of the Building Committee, McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center; instrumental in raising $4.2 million for construction and operations; building dedication was in 1995

Established the ITA Women's Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame; Committee Chair and Curator 1991-present

Williamsburg Community Health Foundation Founding Board Member 1996-2005; Executive Board 1998-2005

Member, Williamsburg Garden Club; President 2000-2002

Passed Member of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Executive Board and Selection Committee

Elected to the International Lawn Tennis Club of the USA 1998

Elected Honorary Member of Mortar Board and ODK, College of William and Mary

USPTA Member, Professional Level

Williamsburg Community Foundation, 2006 to present

Williamsburg Advisory Boards: WHRO, Public Radio; and Sentara Regional Hospital

 

 

 

1979 W&M Women's Tennis Team (Millie is 3rd from left)

 

Return to Alphabetical List of Inductees

  Home

 Site Directory

 History

Inductees

 ITA & Links

 Events

Memberships 

 Patrons

 Virtual Tour

 Contact Us