Hall of Fame
Kay joined Utica College in 1974 as women’s athletic director, women's basketball and fencing coach, and instructor of physical education.
She led the UC women’s basketball team to two consecutive NCAA Division II Tournaments (1982-1984), advancing to the second round each time. The two-time Division II Upstate Women’s Basketball Conference Champion coached for 11 seasons (1974-1985) and compiled a 147-77 overall record. She had a winning record in 10-of-11 seasons at the helm.
Kay coached All-American and 2008 Pioneer Hall of Fame inductee Sharon Lyke and she held the program record for wins by a coach until that long standing record was broken this past season by current head coach Michele Davis.
She was also a major contributor to the Empire State games as a coach, director and regional/state chairperson. In 1978 she was named the Mohawk Valley Woman of the Year and in 1991 she was named the YWCA Woman of the Year for her accomplishments in athletics.
As an athlete Kay found great success in the world of fencing. She was recognized as a nationally-ranked fencer for nine years (1969-78), winning the All-Ohio State Championships twice in that span. Her fencing career continued to blossom as she earned fifth place in the team competition at the United States National Championships. She was even recognized on an international stage after being named the top foreign fencer in La Harve, France (1974).
In 1981, the College asked her to develop a degree program in therapeutic recreation. In the three decades that have followed, she has brought the program into national prominence in the discipline.
As associate professor and director of therapeutic recreation she was selected as the 2004 recipient of Utica College's Dr. Virgil Crisafulli Distinguished Teaching Award.
The award, named for Professor Emeritus Virgil Crisafulli and underwritten by The Crisafulli Fund for the Faculty, is presented annually to a professor in recognition for teaching excellence, dedication, and effectiveness.
