Betty Shellenberger

Shellenberger was an outstanding attack player who was chosen for the U.S. Team 11 times and the Reserve team five times from 1940-61. She served as president of the United States Women's Lacrosse Association from 1967-68. She was the honorary secretary of the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations from 1983-86.

In 1941 she began an umpiring career that lasted 49 years, until 1990. In 1942, after the U.S. declared its participation in World War II, she followed her brother and enlisted in the armed services. Her Marine unit was stationed in California, where she worked as an aviation mechanic and played lots of softball, basketball, tennis and badminton.

After the war, Shellenberger started the lacrosse programs at the Stevens School and Chestnut Hill College. She was the first president of the Philadelphia College Association. In 1987, she was made a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania for her contributions to various sports.

In addition to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Shellenberger has been recognized in five other Halls of Fame. She was a member of the inaugural class of the U.S. Field Hockey Hall of Fame, and has also been inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame, the Agnes Irwin School Hall of Fame and the Chestnut Hill College Hall of Fame.

Betty Shellenberger passed away in December, 2019.