Former Penn State field hockey and women’s lacrosse head coach Gillian Rattray, who guided the programs to a combined five national championships, passed away at the age of 83 on Thursday in State College.
Leading the field hockey program from 1974 to 1986 and women’s lacrosse from 1974 to 1985, Rattray earned a combined career record of 319-68-24 and led each team to its first national titles. In 1980, she guided both squads to national championships, a feat that earned her recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records.
‘I had the honor and privilege to coach against Gillian and to admire her Penn State teams from afar,’ said Penn State Athletic Director Sandy Barbour, who coached against Rattray’s teams as a member of the Northwestern staff. ‘She was the ultimate competitor, teacher and mentor. Our field hockey and lacrosse programs are pillars of excellence today, because of Coach Rattray’s steady hand and passion for students. We are saddened by her loss, but know that her spirit will continue to guide us daily.’
As field hockey coach, Rattray had a career mark of 176-49-21, leading the Nittany Lions to national titles in 1980 and 1981.
“I have immense gratitude for Gillian, as she was the sole reason that I ended up at Penn State,” said field hockey coach Char Morett, who played both sports under Rattray’s leadership from 1975 to 1979.
Morett succeeded Rattray as field hockey head coach when Rattray retired in 1987.
‘While her teams won many championships in both field hockey and lacrosse it was her sincere nurturing that made you want to play for her and your teammates,’ Morett said. ‘The term ‘pioneer’ doesn’t do her justice; she was fiercely passionate about getting equal everything for her girls — scholarships, uniforms, equipment, training table.’
As coach of the women’s lacrosse program from 1974 to 1985, Rattray compiled a 143-19-3 record, with three straight national championships from 1978 to 1980. The Nittany Lions had a winning record every year of her tenure, including the program’s only undefeated seasons in 1978 and 1979.
‘Gillian was a pioneer in coaching and women’s lacrosse,’ current Nittany Lion coach Missy Doherty said. ‘Her influence can be seen in all the strong women that she impacted in her years at Penn State. She was a fierce competitor with an incredible wit, and we will continue to work hard to live up to her legacy.’
Rattray retired from coaching in June 1987 to devote her time to teaching, having been an assistant professor in Penn State’s College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation for 10 years while coaching.
She was inducted into the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, both in 2005, and the Pennsylvania Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2007.
This past October, Rattray was honored with a plaque at the U.S. Lacrosse Headquarters during a special U.S. Lacrosse Trailblazers dedication, which recognized 11 former collegiate coaches as trailblazers in the game.
“Gillian left a legacy with her career at Penn State,’ said Karen Schnellenbach, former Penn State student-athlete and women’s lacrosse head coach. ‘I feel so lucky to have been coached and loved by her. She lived a great life, touched the lives of so many and she will be missed, but never forgotten.”
Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home in State College.
