University of Idaho Athletics

Nancy Monroe was a four-time AIAW national qualifier for the Idaho women’s swimming and diving team from 1971-75. She was the first four-time AIAW-qualifier in Idaho women’s swimming history. She specialized in the freestyle and butterfly events and left the school holding school records in both. It was the success of Monroe and her early teammates that helped put Idaho on the map in women’s swimming in the Northwest and the nation and led to the team hosting the AIAW National Meet in 1973. She was chosen the Vandals’ Most Inspirational Swimmer for four successive seasons – 1972-75, and was the Most Outstanding Swimmer in 1972, 1974 and 1975. She was in the first class of female student-athletes at the University of Idaho. She earned her first scholarship in 1972. The total award – $175. The student-athletes were encouraged to compete in more than one sport so she added volleyball to her repertoire.