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Patricia (Morrison) Nesley ‘51
The Quintessential All-Around Athlete
Hometown: Ridley Park, PA
High School: Ridley Park


If there was a sport to be played, Pat (Morrison) Nesley
was the first in line. In the late 1940’s and early 1950’s when
programs for women were just beginning, Nesley used every
opportunity she had to compete.

As a Golden Ram athlete Nesley found time to play four
years of basketball, including serving as a team captain during
her senior year. But that was a drop in the proverbial
bucket. She also played varsity field hockey, softball and archery,
while her non-intercollegiate teams included volleyball
and badminton.

For 34 years Nesley taught in schools from Allentown,
PA, to Montgomery County, MD, and athletics followed her
wherever she went.

Her field hockey prowess at the National level began in
earnest in 1952 when she was named a First Team Mideast
player during the National Hockey Tournament. She steadily
worked her way up the competition ladder for 18 years, earning
All-American for two years and the title of captain in
1970 for the USA/Canada team competing in Germany.
Her lacrosse ability surfaced after college as well, playing
in national tournaments and competing prominently in the
Philadelphia area through the 1950’s. She was selected an
All-American in that sport as well.

In 1980 at the age of 52, Nesley competed in her first
marathon. In 1981-82 she won 24 long-distance races in the
50-54 age group and set a national record for 53-year-old
women at the Masters Road Running Championship (15K) in
Washington, DC. She was also invited to tour with the Masters
team in China in 1981, but was injured and could not
attend.

In 1989, racewalking became her passion that led to an
American record in the 20k for the age group of 65-69.
In track, Nesley was ranked fourth in the U.S. in the 100m
sprint and third in the 200m (Ages 60-64). She won medals in
Japan and Canada during her career and, at the age of 67,
was named the USA Track & Field Outstanding Woman
Racewalker (Ages 65-69).

In 1962-63, Nesley became a household name in Philadelphia
when she co-hosted Trim ‘n’ Slim with West Chester
State College assistant professor Lloyd Wilkinson. The daily
exercise show was broadcast Monday - Friday from 9-9:15
a.m. on what today is known as WPVI (formerly WFIL)
Channel 6 in Philadelphia.