Phyllis J. Bailey, 96, died peacefully Saturday October 1. She was born in 1926 to John A. Bailey and Elsie King Bailey and grew up in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. She graduated from Miami University of Ohio in Physical Education and earned her M.S. from University of Indiana. She taught at Earlham College and Wayne State before coming to Ohio State.
“With plenty of trailblazers in women’s sports who have passed through Ohio State Athletics, none would have been possible without Ohio State’s pioneer in women’s intercollegiate athletics — Phyllis Bailey!”
She came to Ohio State in 1956 to study and to work with women’s sports. At that time, all woman’s sports were conducted in recreational intramurals. Phyllis is credited with heading the tremendous growth in women’s sports and she was the first women’s intercollegiate basketball coach. Phyllis spearheaded the women’s athletic program forward to its inclusion in NCAA and implementation of Title IX, triggering the rapid expansion of the number of varsity sports, and by hiring excellent coaches, physicians, and trainers. With Phyllis and the excellent staff with whom she surrounded herself, Ohio State women’s athletics has grown to 555 women participating in 20 varsity sports.
Among the women she has hired, and the skilled athletes who have played here are Olympians, Halls of Fame recipients, and the next generation of national leaders. Of her many recognitions, perhaps the highest is her induction as the first woman into the Ohio State University Sports Hall of Fame.
She loved all Buckeye sports, especially football and sharing her prized seats with her “guest of the week.” Her dad “Uncle John” was a fixture with her at special events, especially bowl games.
Preceding her in death are her parents and beloved cousin Walter “Bud,” his wife Martha Dendy King, and longtime friend Mary K. Beyrer. Family left to cherish her memory are Laura King (Mark) Gunter (NC), and John King (WI), and cousin Marjorie Galla, Painesville, Ohio, and countless former athletes, friends and colleagues.
Special thanks to dear Caregiver Brandy Poindexter and the Capital City Hospice staff at Dublin Retirement Village.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11 AM on Thursday October 13, 2022 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43221, with a reception following immediately. The Rev. Betsy Rice, Worthington Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery in Painesville, Ohio.
Phyllis was a teacher, coach, pioneering administrator, and friend. Our job is to keep the dream alive by supporting good sport for girls and women in Ohio, the Big Ten and in the nation. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Phyllis J. Bailey Endowment Fund, Fund Number: 600265, online or mail to The Ohio State University, 14 E. 15th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201. Established December 6, 1996, with gifts from the friends and colleagues of Phyllis J. Bailey who wish to extend their appreciation and thanks for Phyllis J. Bailey’s tireless devotion to nurturing and promoting women’s athletics at The Ohio State University; used to fund the programs, activities and expenses necessary to promote women in athletics at The Ohio State University.
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