Doris B. Benis, Connecticut – 2001
Dorothy was involved with the New Hampshire Field Hockey Association in the 1950’s as a player and official. She also served as president of the NHFHA as well as chair of the membership committee. As a member of the NHFHA, she helped organize sport days and clinics for schoolgirls and was actively involved in bringing the International Touring Team to her area to provide motivation and experience for girls to participate in field hockey. As interest in field hockey increased, Dorothy worked with school administrators to increase opportunities for girls to play on school teams. In the late 1950’s, she moved from New Hampshire to Connecticut where she continued her efforts to increase field hockey opportunities for girls.
Dorothy is affiliated with the Connecticut Division for Girls and Women in Sport. She also serves as a rater for the Connecticut Basketball Officials Rating Committee. Dorothy holds an honorary rating in basketball and is a field hockey official. She coached field hockey through 1971. In 1965, her field hockey team was ranked as #1.
She also served on the United States Field Hockey Association. In 1965, Dorothy was the chairperson for the USFHA National Tournament at Smith College.
Dorothy spent a year abroad, studying movement education in England. Following this sabbatical, she returned to full time teaching of physical education at the elementary level. Her career as a teacher has included serving as assistant superintendent of schools and interim director of athletics. In her retirement, she is a frequent speaker at high school sports banquets.
Throughout her career, Dorothy has worked to develop sports programs for girls of all ages. Dorothy retired in 1990.