Helen Ludwig, BSEd '44, or “Mrs. L” as she was affectionately known, is widely credited with founding women’s sports at ONU.
Helen was born and raised in Ada, Ohio, and many of her family members attended and graduated from ONU. She received her education degree from ONU in 1944 and married shortly thereafter. She taught biology, health, and physical education at Ada High School, then returned to her alma mater in 1963 to coach basketball, track, volleyball, tennis and softball and to teach health courses.
Before, during, and after Title IX became law in 1972, she went above and beyond her official duties and responsibilities at every turn, laying a solid foundation for women’s sports at ONU that future generations could build upon. She lived through inequity and fought hard for a level playing field.
Her leadership in women's sports extended beyond ONU, and she was involved in many capacities at the state, regional, and national level for intercollegiate sports.
A legend during her lifetime, Helen positively impacted the lives of countless ONU student-athletes. In 1989, Helen became the first woman to be inducted into the ONU Athletic Hall of Fame. She was also inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.
An ONU scholarship and a female student-athlete award are named in her honor. Additionally, the women's locker room in the ONU Sports Center bears her name.
Helen Ludwig died in 2004 at age 80.