Looking back on a career that led to her current position, influencing the lives of young men and women at Wesleyan University, one of the most prestigious colleges in the nation, Gale Lackey – a proud member of the Class of 1966 – draws inspiration from those who influenced her life at Susquehannock. She recalls, in particular, English teachers Carolyn Adams and Matthew Mensch who also paired as coaches in the earliest days of the Warrior volleyball program.

“We were at the very beginning of the school’s strong volleyball tradition,” she says with pride. “We were the only girls sport at that time, and we won the York County Championship without losing a match.” There were no district or state competition to win at that time, but Gale is confident that team would have won it if there were.

And she mentions her volleyball teammate and childhood friend, Roberta Thoman, as an individual who inspired her. It was a time where Susquehannock was regarded as an ‘underdog’ in many things and not a school where graduates were assumed to go to college. “When we talked about our futures, college was something Roberta and I, along with many of our friends, decided we would do.”

While at Susquehannock, Gale was a good student, earning consistent honor roll designation and membership in the National Honor Society. She was named Homecoming Queen for the fall of 1965, worked on the yearbook staff, and was a class president. She was also a football and basketball cheerleader and member of the mixed chorus. The chorus was one of her fondest SHS memories and its director, Melba Shank, was one of her most memorable teachers.

She recalls a trip to a school for the blind in Virginia. “We did a concert for them and they did one for us. Those students were so inspirational. But the most meaningful part of the trip was spending the day with them and staying in their dormitory that night. It stirred a compassion for others’ difficulties and how they overcome them that has stayed with me to this day.”

Following graduation, Gale attended West Chester State College (now West Chester University), a venture financed in part by summer job savings from job experiences that included lifeguarding at Bon Air Country Club, working at the Glen Rock sewing factory, updating records as a clerk in the high school guidance department, and supervising summer recreation programs in Shrewsbury. While at West Chester, she played lacrosse and volleyball, and worked on the yearbook staff. The school had no volleyball team, so she played U.S.A. club volleyball in Philadelphia.

Gale graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1970, followed by a Master’s degree earned while working as a health and physical education teacher at Spring Grove High School. She coached field hockey and volleyball there, but also worked at summer volleyball camps. It was here that she became aware of college-level opportunities and the potential for a career beyond high school coaching and teaching. When an opportunity became available at the University of Bridgeport (Connecticut) in 1977, she took it.

After a year, she moved on to Wesleyan University, where she assumed head coaching responsibilities for field hockey and women’s lacrosse for seven seasons. In 1985, she was given the opportunity to take over the new volleyball program, and she has been a fixture there ever since. In addition to Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference titles, she has a NESCAC Coach-of-the-Year recognition to her credit following a 30-6 campaign in 2001 that included an NCAA tournament appearance.

She is in her 33rd year at Wesleyan, 26 years as the volleyball coach, having accumulated 452 victories. Gale is currently an adjunct professor of physical education, is the athletic department’s senior woman administrator, and was named associate director of athletics in 2001.

She was inducted into the Connecticut Volleyball Hall of Fame in November 2010.

But even as an institution in Connecticut athletics, she says, “Glen Rock will always be my home. There is a bonding and strong sense of unity that is part of the Susquehannock tradition. I made lifelong friendships there and fondly remember how our teachers cared about us as young people as well as students. It will always be an influential part of me. I will forever remember those years and folks with tremendous fondness”.

Thanks to Gale Lackey, Class of 1966 for making us Warrior Proud.