(Written: June 2012)
Dr. Patricia Collins was a professor of health and physical education at UW-Platteville from 1960-94 and is considered a true pioneer in the development of high school and college women’s athletics in the state. Collins began the women's athletics program at UW-Platteville in 1966 and served as the Pioneers' first women's athletics director from 1971-84. She also served as the head coach for women's volleyball (1966-84), badminton (1966-84) and women's track & field (1966-80).
Collins helped in establishing the Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Also, by creating a scholarship in her name at UW-Platteville, she fulfilled her wish to assist future professionals in the area of physical education and health and was a 2011 recipient of the UW-Platteville Foundation Distinguished Service Award. Collins was inducted into the UW-Platteville Hall of Fame in 1992.