University of Dayton Athletics

During Doris Drees’ 30-plus-year tenure at the UD, Dr. Drees changed the face of Women's athletics.  In addition to teaching, Drees coached almost every woman's sport offered at UD and was also an advisor to the Women's Recreation Association. Dr. Drees was promoted to UD women's athletics director in the ‘60s; a position that she held into the early ‘70s. UD was one of the first universities in the country to elevate women's athletics to varsity status, making the transition in 1969. Drees is one of the few women responsible for helping to professionalize women's officiating and coaching by organizing a series of workshops throughout Ohio and the Midwest.

Upon retirement, Drees was awarded Professor Emerita status and was honored with the Distinguished Service Award. She was the first person to receive both of these awards at retirement, and was the first women professor to receive UD's Distinguished Service Award.  Drees was recently selected to receive the Ohio Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS) Pathfinder Award (2007) for her inspiring work as a coach and administrator at UD.  Drees is one of the most influential female figures in UD history.