40 in 40 - Phyllis Cupp
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Title IX, wmubroncos.com takes a look at 40 key moments/females in the history of women's athletics at Western Michigan University. Though the selection process, an effort was made to highlight a moment and player/coach from each of our current women's sports programs, as well pay respect to our women's legacy sports. A different feature will be released each of the 40 days, July 24 through Sept. 1.
Phyllis Cupp
Basketball 1971-76; Field Hockey 1971-72
Softball 1976; Volleyball 1970-72
WMU Athletic Hall of Fame: 1988
Another multi-sport athlete, Phyllis Cupp excelled at basketball, field hockey, softball and volleyball in the early 1970's, and was named the Outstanding Female College Athlete of the America in 1975.
She was the first Bronco women's basketball player to top the 1,000-point plateau, amassing 1,235 career points, setting then-school records for career free throws (261), rebounds (833) and field goals (487).
Cupp's abilities on the hardwood landed her a spot on the United States National Team that won a silver medal at the 1973 World University Games, also making the US volleyball training squad that same year. In 1976, she would go on to become a finalist for the 1976 Olympic basketball trial team.
Playing under legendary basketball and softball head coach Fran Ebert, Cupp enrolled in an extra semester of school to be on WMU's first softball team.
After her time in Brown & Gold, Cupp went on to play a significant role on women's athletic committees. She was a women's sports coordinator and women's intramural director for eight years and was the NAIA District 23 executive and volleyball chairman for four years.
Cupp coached basketball, volleyball and softball at Hillsdale College, earning a Great Lakes Intercollegiate basketball and NAIA District 23 volleyball Coach of the Year recognition.
She was inducted into the WMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988.
