Lead Her Forward: Patti Spietz & the NJCAA
1974 NJCAA Women's Volleyball Championship MVP
"That small, local junior college – that's where it all started for me," expressed Patricia Spietz as she reminisced on her time as a student-athlete at Mayfair Junior College (IL).
Growing up in Chicago in the early 1970s, Patricia (Dressen) Spietz immersed herself in every sport possible. At the time, there were no opportunities for females to play on a school-sponsored team, so Patti looked to the local parks and recreation programs for a competitive outlet.
After Title IX was passed in 1972, the NJCAA became the first national collegiate athletic association to adopt women's sports in 1974. When Mayfair, now Harry S. Truman College, began offering athletic opportunities for female students, Patti jumped at the chance to compete.
As a member of the 1974 women's volleyball team at Mayfair, Patti played against local Chicago-area schools during the regular season. The team went on to compete at the 1974 NJCAA Women's Volleyball Championship held at CCBC Catonsville in Baltimore, MD, marking the first female championship event held by a national collegiate organization.
"We raised all of the money we had. We shared uniforms with the women's basketball team, but the experience was just amazing," stated Patti. Following two days of round-robin play, Mayfair was eliminated and took fifth place at the inaugural championship. The team, including Patti, was ready to head back to Chicago. However, head coach Mildred Etten insisted the team stay for the championship match and the awards ceremony that would follow. As voted on by players and coaches at the national championship, Patti was named the most outstanding player at the first-ever women's NJCAA championship. "When they announced the all-tournament team, they called my name as MVP. I was standing out there on the floor and I was absolutely blown away."
The impact of her time competing at Mayfair would stay with Patti throughout her academic and athletic careers. Patti then enrolled at DePaul University, earning one of the first full scholarships that were awarded to women, and joined the Blue Demons volleyball team.
In the late 1970s, Patti transferred to the University of Maryland. Patti was reconnected with Cathy Cain, head volleyball coach and athletic director at CCBC Catonsville. "Cathy remembered who I was from Mayfair. She opened so many doors for me and it changed my life." With Cain's help, Patti was introduced to long-time Maryland head coach Barb Drum and received a scholarship to play volleyball for the Terrapins.
With a life-long love for volleyball, Patti continued to play in adult leagues after her days competing collegiately were over. "Volleyball has just always stuck with me. I am 67-years-old and I am still playing." Patti also became a volleyball official, refereeing high school and college games, including NJCAA programs such as Harper and Illinois Central, in the Chicago area. In 2001, Patti was inducted into the NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, becoming just the fifth player to receive the honor.
It was from the opportunities and support that Patti received during and after her time in the NJCAA that served as a springboard for the rest of her life. As the first MVP of a women's national championship event, Patti played a major role in leading the way forward for the female student-athletes that followed her.
Patti described the importance of sports in the lives of young women and the progression of female collegiate athletics that she has witnessed since its beginnings in 1974. "As a physical education teacher for my entire career, I have seen girls have the desire to be better and progress. They now have so many opportunities to grow and be better in sports and in life that we didn't have. It's just remarkable."