Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State Athletics Hall of Fame
Greene-Chamberlain, Lillian
Lillian Greene-Chamberlain
- Induction:
- 1993
- Class:
- 1963
Track and Field (1960 to 1963)
Lillian Greene-Chamberlain came to Colorado State University in the fall of 1960 to establish the first women’s track team in school history. Along with three other women from around the country, Greene-Chamberlain was a pioneer in women’s athletics at CSU 12 years before Title IX. Mentored by coach Virginia Frank, Greene-Chamberlain won a 1961 All-American award as the world-record holder in the 440-meter indoor competition. She also was the Rocky Mountain AAU champion in the 440 and 880 competitions in 1961. Greene-Chamberlain received the first women’s athletic scholarship in school history, known as the Lillian Greene Scholarship, and is also the first African American female athlete in CSU history.
Following graduation from CSU in 1963, Greene-Chamberlain earned masters and doctoral degrees from Fordham University. From 1978 to 1988 she served as the first and only woman and American director of the Physical Education and Sports Program for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Since 1989, she has served as the official announcer of the Colgate Women’s games and was a trustee of the Women’s Sports Foundation from 1993 to 1999.
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Other Accomplishments:
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Lillian Greene-Chamberlain came to Colorado State University in the fall of 1960 to establish the first women’s track team in school history. Along with three other women from around the country, Greene-Chamberlain was a pioneer in women’s athletics at CSU 12 years before Title IX. Mentored by coach Virginia Frank, Greene-Chamberlain won a 1961 All-American award as the world-record holder in the 440-meter indoor competition. She also was the Rocky Mountain AAU champion in the 440 and 880 competitions in 1961. Greene-Chamberlain received the first women’s athletic scholarship in school history, known as the Lillian Greene Scholarship, and is also the first African American female athlete in CSU history.
Following graduation from CSU in 1963, Greene-Chamberlain earned masters and doctoral degrees from Fordham University. From 1978 to 1988 she served as the first and only woman and American director of the Physical Education and Sports Program for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Since 1989, she has served as the official announcer of the Colgate Women’s games and was a trustee of the Women’s Sports Foundation from 1993 to 1999.
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Other Accomplishments:
- Gold Medal 400 meters –Pan American Games (1959)
- Member of President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
- GE Scholarship Award (1963)
- USA All-America Team (1958,1959 and 1960)
- USA Women’s Record Holder 400, 440, 800, 880 meters (1958, 1959 and 1961)
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