1998 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE | RUTH HAMMACK ALEXANDER
We are honored to induct Dr. Ruth Hammack Alexander into the Milligan College Athletics Hall of Fame. Ruth is a member of the class of 1960.
While at Milligan, Ruth was actively involved in campus life, as a member of the intramural council, treasurer of the Physical Education Club and captain of the cheerleaders. Following graduation from Milligan with a degree in religious education and physical education, Ruth went on to earn a master’s degree and a doctorate. While doing graduate work, she taught and directed girls’ sports in Kentucky and Indiana.
In 1969, she joined the faculty of the University of Florida where she has earned the position of Distinguished Professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences.
She is responsible for initiating and founding the Lady Gator athletic program at the University of Florida, which she administered for nine years. Ruth has designed or consulted on the development of nearly 30 fitness tracks, called Vita Par Courses, throughout the US.
Her published work on fitness and sports includes seven books, more than 60 articles and two collections, which she has edited.
Her high energy, motivation and expertise have certainly gained her national recognition. Her numerous awards include a National Honor Award for American Health and Fitness Leaders, given to the top 10 American leaders in fitness each year; a National Honor Award for being one of five outstanding Americans contributing to the fitness and sports participation of women; the Florida governor’s Leadership Award; the University of Florida’s Outstanding Teacher Award; induction to the U of F’s Athletics Hall of Fame; and Milligan’s Distinguished Alumni Award. In 1992, Panhellenic named its Intramural Sports Award the Ruth H. Alexander Intramural Sports Award.
She is married to Dr. Kern Alexander, also a professor at the University of Florida. They have four sons—Kern, King, Klint and Kane—and one granddaughter, Savannah.