1997 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE | PATRICIA BONNER
The Milligan College Athletics Hall of Fame is committed to honoring outstanding athletes, coaches, and other significant participants in Milligan's athletics. This year Milligan is proud to induct the first woman to the Hall of Fame. Patricia Jane Bonner has shown a lifetime commitment to Milligan athletics from the time she was a student to her continued influence on the campus today.
Bonner attended Milligan in the mid 1950's, a time when financial support did not favor women's athletics. Even so, Bonner participated in what was available to her, including cheerleading, intramural bowling and tennis. She was elected secretary of the Physical Education Club, named Most Athletic among Milligan students, and was recognized in "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities." Bonner graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and physical education.
After graduation, Bonner returned to her home state of Ohio to teach physical education for five years before attending the University of Arizona in Tucson where she served as a graduate assistant and earned her Master of Education. From 1963 to 1964, Bonner taught physical education and coached tennis in inner-city Los Angeles at Jefferson High School. Bonner stayed in California for another year to instruct physical education and coach tennis and archery at Fullerton Junior College.
In 1966, Milligan welcomed Bonner back to campus where she began her long and eventful career in the physical education department. In the past 31 years, she has coached numerous sports for both men and women and served as a professor of health and physical education, special education, and director of testing. Also during this time, Bonner earned a master's of Christian education from Emmanuel School of Religion in 1970, an education specialist degree in physical education and special education from George Peabody College in Nashville in 1975, and then was awarded her doctorate of education in administration and supervision from Highland University in 1978.
Beyond her academic awards, Bonner was also honored by being named to Outstanding Women in America in 1969; "Tennessee Lives" in 1970; "Who's Who Among American Women" in 1972; "Outstanding Educators of America" in 1973; American Red Cross Medal of Honor in 1974; and "Who's Who In the South and Southwest'' in 1991.
Bonner helped found the Tennessee College Women's Sports Federation in 1969. The organization was formed to revive women's intercollegiate sports, and the goal was reached under Bonner, the federation's eighth and final president.
Other organizations outside of Milligan with which Bonner has been a member include: the National Intramural Sports Council for the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (HPERD) where she received the honor award in 1978; the Tennessee College Sports Federation where she has served as ethics and eligibility chair, executive board member, and tournament director; Southern Association of HPERD; Tennessee Association of HPERD; Southern Association of Physical Education for College Women; National Association of Higher Education for Physical Education; Council for Exceptional Children; and the Southeastern Testing Association.
The Milligan College Athletic Hall of Fame determined that Bonner's career as a student, athlete, educator and servant of God have earned her a well-deserved spot among Milligan's greatest athletes.