I always enjoy having dinner and meeting people out. Recently at the Catholic Diocese dinner, I ran into Patty Blake. I use to run into her when our sons were in high school together. We got to talking, and more talking because I am really good at talking! I learned that she was a super athlete.  It turns out that during the years of 1975-1978 when she was getting her teachers degree at Canisius College she was also quite the athlete. In the Fall, she played tennis and volleyball. When she found out it was against the rules to play two sports during the same season, she chose to drop tennis. She was point guard for the Griffs basketball team in the winter. In the Spring, Patty was playing softball for Canisius. Can you believe it? Stuff like this just can’t happen anymore in sports. So much time and commitment is required to participate in one sport much less two. But, in the late 1970’s rules were changing. Women were benefitting from inclusion rules. They needed female athletes! Patty was there. Patty thrived. Her maiden name is Kieffer and she met her husband Dick Blake while at Canisius College. I love that Canisius College. It’s where leaders are made and marriages too! Patty and Dick make their home in Hamburg where they raised their four children Jeffrey, Laura, Carolyn and Michael. I wanted to share the story of Patty Kieffer Blake. She paved the way for many of our female athletes. Her favorite of all the sports? Playing Basketball! You can still hear her say “GO Griffs!”

Tags : Canisius, Female Athletes