Augustana College Athletics

Honorary inductee…Had the distinction of being the College's first fulltime gym teacher for women when she joined the faculty in 1936…She set up the physical education program for women and added several new courses…Instituted "play days" for girls, which later became known as "women's sports days", marking the beginning of competitive sports for females at Augustana…Coached the women's swimming & diving team for 13 years from 1961-74…Organized the first pompon squad on the Augustana campus and served as the faculty sponsor…Taught side-by-side with her husband LeRoy, who passed away in June of 2001…When the Brissman's started teaching at Augustana the College offered only nine courses in the department of health and physical education but upon their retirement in 1974 that number had grown to 23…Graduated from Purdue with a Bachelors degree in health education in 1932…Earned master's of science degree in education from Northwestern…Was hired at Augustana in 1936 to be instructor of physical education for women…Promoted to associate professor of physical education in 1941…Prior to coming to Augustana served as instructor of physical education at Bethany College from 1934-36 and taught at New Trier High School from 1933-34.