Karen Shelton

ccshof logo Inducted
2014


Judith Smiley Wolstenholme
Field Hockey/Lacrosse • Phoenixville

Judith Smiley Wolstenholme , a graduate of Phoenixville Area High School and Ursinus College and a lifelong resident of Phoenixville, made her mark as a player, coach and official in a number of sports-both domestically and internationally. Wolstenholme has been honored with induction into four Halls of Fame: the Ursinus College Athletic Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Hall of Fame, the United States Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the Phoenixville Area High School Athletic Hall of Fame. While at Phoenixville Area High School, Judy played four years of varsity field hockey and basketball, two years of varsity softball and three years of varsity golf (on the boy’s team). She was the Captain her senior year in field hockey, basketball and golf. And, at Ursinus, Wolstenholme was a four-year letter winner in field hockey, basketball, lacrosse and softball. Widely decorated and recognized for her achievements as a collegiate player in field hockey and lacrosse, Judy played seven years for Team U.S.A. Field Hockey-including the World Cup team that played in Germany in 1967 and three World Tour teams (1965, 1967 and 1970). Additionally, she also played nine years for Team U.S.A. Lacrosse-which also included three World Tour squads (1964, 1969 and 1971). Judy’s biggest impact, however, has been in the area of officiating-where she has gained significant notoriety in field hockey, lacrosse and basketball. She has been a teacher and influential mentor to countless numbers of officials. In field hockey, Wolstenholme officiated in 13 NCAA Division I Final Fours, umpired NCAA Division I action for over 30 years and has represented the United States at numerous international matches. In the world of Lacrosse, she has umpired over 50 international matches-including two World Cups, and has umpired 14 NCAA Division I Final Fours. And, in basketball, Judy also refereed at the Division I level. Highlights include refereeing at one NCAA Division I Final Four; officiating the first women’s game played at Madison Square Garden; refereeing the first women’s game televised by NBC; and being the first man or woman to officiate the NCAA Final Four in three different sports. On the coaching front, Wolstenholme coached lacrosse (Head Coach) and basketball (Assistant Coach) at Conestoga High School (1965-1968). Collegiately, Judy coached field hockey at West Chester University where she served as an assistant to CCSHOF inductee 2010 Vonnie Gros. In lacrosse at West Chester, Wolstenholme was the Assistant Coach for five years and the Head Coach for four years. In those nine years, the Lacrosse team lost only one game. During her tenure at West Chester (1968-1977), Judy was on the faculty of the Health and Physical Education Department. Among the hundreds of players, coaches and officials Judy influenced during the course of her career, she was a valuable mentor and coach to 2012 CCSHOF inductee Diane Horsey. Lastly, Wolstenholme qualified and played in two United States Golf Association Senior Woman’s Championships. In the latter 1970s, Judy founded the still successful Eastern Field Hockey Camp.

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