Hiram College

Myrtis Herndon has played a pivotal role in the development of women’s intercollegiate varsity sports throughout her career at the local, state, regional and national levels. She aided in the development of policies and procedures governing women’s participation in sports through the creation of numerous organizations in Ohio and the region.

Herndon served as commissioner of three of these organizations from 1971-74 in Ohio and the Midwest overseeing regional collegiate sports championships for women. Herndon has published 14 books and articles on physical education and sports, winning awards from the International Olympic Committee.

Herndon served as a long-time professor at Hiram and also served as head coach for the softball and volleyball teams early in each program’s existence at the College. She began her teaching career at Hiram in 1958, shortly after earning her Master’s in Education from Northern Illinois College. She left Hiram College briefly in 1962 to serve two years in the Peace Corps, but returned to the College in 1966 where she taught until her retirement in 1995. She has remained heavily involved both at Hiram and in various national women’s sport organizations.

Herndon continues to be a supporter of Hiram and women’s athletics and was a key contributor to the construction of the campus softball field, which is named in honor of her. Since retiring from Hiram College, Herndon has received numerous awards for her work in women’s athletics and was recently acknowledged by her alma mater, Florida State University, receiving the FSU “Champions Beyond the Game” award which honors former women athletes who have excelled in life after college sports. As of her induction, Herndon resided in Allons, Tennessee.