Smith Athletics Hall of Fame
Mary Jane Grinaker M.S. ’86 became known as one of the most successful coaches in Smith College history and is credited with developing and establishing the track and field and cross country programs while studying as a graduate student in the Exercise and Sports Studies (ESS) program. During her 10 years as a coach from 1981-1991, the Pioneers shattered numerous indoor and outdoor records, while producing multiple All-Americans and NCAA National Champions. Under Grinaker, the 1984 cross country team went on to win their first New England Regional championship and competed in the NCAA DIII championships. During the 1987 cross country season, the Pioneers won seven of their ten meets, including the NEW 8 Championships and the New England Regionals. Grinaker, who received Seven Sisters and New England 8 Coach of the Year honors, assisted with the design and construction of the multi-million dollar Indoor Track & Tennis facility. She served as the meet director for two NCAA Indoor Championships and numerous New England regional events prior to being appointed president of the New England and Eastern College Athletic Conference Associations for track and field. As a student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Grinaker set a school and Big Ten record in the pentathlon in 1979 and co-captained the track and field team, which in her three years as a team member, took Big Ten Indoor and Outdoor championships. In 1991 Grinaker returned to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, as assistant coach of track and field and cross country. During her tenure, the teams won 12 Big Ten Conference championships, boasted 21 NCAA individual champions, and won 90 Big Ten individual and relay championships. Grinaker was inducted into the Minnesota State High School Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Moorhead High School Hall of Honor in 2007. Since 2003, Grinaker has served as the meet manager for all University of Wisconsin track and cross country events and works as a personal fitness trainer at Upward Spiral Fitness.
