Nov. 16, 2005

Patriot League Success Stories - Where Are They Now? will feature former Patriot League student-athletes, highlighting both their accomplishments while competing at the Division I collegiate level and their successes since graduation. The Patriot League embodies the scholar-athlete model in all its intercollegiate participants and is proud of the strides made both in the classroom and in competition. The League applauds the accomplishments of its former student-athletes and celebrates their life long achievements. The following features truly embrace the League's slogan - Today's Scholar Athletes, Tomorrow's Leaders.

Many of the featured athletes were named either Patriot League Scholar Athlete of the Year, Player of the Year or Tournament Most Valuable Player in their respective sport. The accomplishments of the former student-athlete THEN and NOW will be highlighted.

Name: Betsy Cunningham
Institution: Colgate University
Sport: Women's Cross Country/Track and Field (Indoor and Outdoor)
Graduation Year: 1997
Undergraduate Major (GPA): Geology (3.3)/
secondary certification in Earth Science

THEN:

• Graduated from Colgate University cum laude
  
• Served as a captain in six different seasons
  
• 1995 Patriot League individual cross country champion
  
• All-Patriot League in cross country (1994, 1995, 1996)
  
• Named to the Patriot League Women's Cross Country All-Decade team
  
• All-East selection for 11th place finish in 1996 at ECAC cross country meet
  
• Outstanding Cross Country Performer at Colgate (1994, 1995, 1996)
  
• Named 1996 Patriot League Indoor Track & Field Athlete of the Meet
  
• All-Patriot League for Indoor Track and Field (1995, 1996, 1997)
  
• Won indoor titles in the 1,000m and Distance Medley Relay in 1996 and mile in 1997
  
• All-Patriot League in Outdoor Track and Field (1994, 1996, 1997)
  
• Won outdoor title in the 400m hurdles in 1997
  
• Outstanding Track and Field Performer at Colgate (1996, 1997)
  

• Head boys and girls coach for cross country and outdoor track teams at Mercersburg Academy (2001-present)
  
• Ran professionally for the Mountain West Track Club in Missoula, Mont., which is the only all women professional track club in the U.S. (1997-2001)
  
• Married to Will Willis, a Colgate graduate and has a ninth-month-old daughter, Molly
  
• Earned M.S. in geology with an emphasis in volcanic petrology from the University of Montana
  

Now coaching high school athletes, I realize even more what the Patriot League provides - a Division I athletic experience at a small top notch academic institution - exactly what many of my athletes are looking for. The support from Colgate and the Patriot League provided me with the competitive experience to pursue my dream of competing post-college.