CAA Title IX Pioneers - Drexel's Mary Semanik
Rob Washburn
In celebration of the 50
th Anniversary of Title IX, the Colonial Athletic Association is proud to honor women’s athletics pioneers from each of its 10 member institutions. These amazing women paved the way for the growth of women’s athletics programs around the conference.
Mary Semanik, Drexel (1965-91)
Mary Semanik served as Drexel University’s Director of Women's Athletics from 1965-1991. During that time, she was instrumental in Drexel’s transition into the Title IX era.
Mrs. Semanik was an administrator that embodied women's athletics. She helped usher in Division I athletics to the school. Along with her husband, the Men’s Director of Athletics, Mrs. Semanik oversaw the creation of the Physical Education Center, now known as the John A. Daskalakis Athletic Center. She also oversaw numerous conference championships during her tenure as director.
An outstanding athlete in her own right, Mrs. Semanik was recognized for her play on the lacrosse field and was named to Lacrosse Magazine’s USA All-Century Women’s Lacrosse Team. She is a member of the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the Temple University Hall of Fame, where she excelled in field hockey as well as lacrosse and three additional sports. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Temple, captained the 1950 hockey team and was an All-American in lacrosse. Mrs. Semanik played on the United States Women's Lacrosse Association touring team from 1955-57 and later served as the president of both the Philadelphia Women's Lacrosse Association and the United States Women's Lacrosse Association.
Mrs. Semanik started her career at Drexel in the 1950’s as a teacher and coach. She was inducted into the Drexel Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994. In 1992, Drexel established the John and Mary Semanik Awards honoring Drexel's top male and female athletes. Mrs. Semanik endowed the first women's coaching position in the history of Drexel athletics, the Mary Semanik Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse.