Edith “Edie” Godleski, a foundational figure in the history of women’s intercollegiate athletics, passed away on Oct. 7 in Hudson, Florida, at the age of 92. The Indiana State University (ISU) Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, who was born in Eagle River, Wisconsin, on March 13, 1934, left a legacy that extended far beyond her tenure as a head coach. Her death was formally announced Friday by Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home & Alpha Crematory in her home state of Wisconsin.
A trailblazer for women’s college sports who helped build the AIAW infrastructure.
Godleski joined the ISU faculty in 1967 as an assistant professor in women’s physical education and director of women’s intramurals before taking the helm of the women’s basketball program, where she coached for 11 seasons. Her most significant contribution, however, came during the pivotal early 1970s when she played an instrumental role in the formation of the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW). Alongside colleagues Dr. Millie Lemen, former ISU director of athletics Andi Myers, and Dr. Eleanor St. John, Godleski helped establish the Indiana AIAW and the Midwest AIAW, creating the administrative backbone for women’s college sports.
Inducted into the ISU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009, Godleski is remembered not just for her coaching record but for her service on the AIAW Board of Directors and her dedication to elevating the status of female athletes. Her work during a transformative era in sports history laid the groundwork for the modern landscape of women’s athletics, ensuring that institutions like Indiana State could compete at the highest levels. The sports community mourns the loss of a true pioneer whose impact on Terre Haute and the broader collegiate sports world remains profound.
Source: Yahoo Sports
