Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Athletics

A member of the Rensselaer athletic department for over 30 years, Pillsworth served as a head coach for four different sports, including a 29-year span with the women’s tennis team. She was also the assistant for two others during her time at RPI. A native of Latham, N.Y., she graduated from Rensselaer in 1976, earning her bachelor and master’s degrees in biology. As a student-athlete, she played five sports, including softball, basketball and ice hockey, while also working for the athletic department in a number of capacities. She was scheduler of non-varsity athletic teams and a physical education instructor. Upon her graduation, she took on a number of roles within the department, including Senior Women’s Administrator and Director of Women’s Athletics. She also assisted in the transition from one varsity women’s sport to 11. Pillsworth retired in the spring of 2009, having been a student-athlete, coach or administrator at Rensselaer for 35 years.