2 collections related to Athletics -- History

This collection contains an oral history with Nora Lynn Finch conducted by Gwynn Thayer and Taylor Wolford in July 2022. Included is a full transcription of the interview. In the interview, Finch discusses: playing sports from a young age (particularly with her brother); coaching at Wake Forest University and Peace College; meeting Kay Yow and being hired at NC State; her relationship with Athletics Director Willis Casey; the implementation of Title IX and discrimination against women athletes; her role models; and trans athletes. Nora Lynn Finch attended Western Carolina where she played field hockey, volleyball, basketball, and tennis. She received a BS in Education in 1970 and Masters of Education in 1971. After doing some officiating, Finch coached women's basketball and other women's sports at Wake Forest University then at Peace College (where she also served as Director of Athletics). After acting as Coordinator of Women's Athletics for two years, Finch became Assistant Director of Athletics, the first woman in N.C. to hold the title. When Jim Valvano promoted her to Associate Director of Athletics, she became the first woman athletics director in the ACC to hold that title and the first at an ACC school to be the primary administrator for men's sports (soccer, track and field, and swimming). She would serve as the Senior Women's Administrator at NC State for over 30 years. Less