Oberlin, Ohio – The Oberlin College athletics department and entire campus community would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mary J. Culhane, who passed away on December 31, 2009.

Culhane served the College for three decades after arriving at Oberlin in 1956. She was a pioneer in creating women's athletics at the school. During her tenure, she served as women's athletic director and also coached track and field and volleyball.

Culhane also played an integral role in the formation of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), the nation's first co-educationally structured conference to compete at the collegiate level.

The Oberlin College Softball Field, which was originally dedicated to Culhane when the team started play in 2000, will be rededicated to her with the addition of a commemorative sign before the start of this season.

In addition to coaching athletics, she was an impressive athlete herself, competing as a swimmer in the Senior Olympics in 1980's when she won multiple gold medals. Culhane was also an avid golfer and tennis player.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 9, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Oberlin.