[Important Information for Employees] The Death of Phoebe Sturm

[Gerianne Downs]

Dear Members of Our Campus Community,

We were saddened to have learned this weekend of the death of athletics
department stalwart Phoebe Sturm, who died Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. She was
85.

Ms. Sturm joined the athletics department a physical education instructor
in September 1965 and was promoted to assistant professor in 1974. Although
she retired after 35 years of service in December 2000, she returned for
another seven, teaching in sports and wellness through 2008. She was
inducted into the Plattsburgh State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001.

Ms. Sturm was often called a pioneer for women’s athletics, and for the
first-ever SUNY Plattsburgh Cardinal women’s basketball coach, it’s a
phrase that amply applies. She was a teacher, coach and administrator. She
won more than 150 games as coach, including three straight 11-plus win
seasons from 1985 to 1988. Her 1987-1988 squad went 7-3 in SUNYAC
competition, earning her SUNYAC Coach of the Year honors.

Ms. Sturm served as chair of the women’s sports division in 1990 and as
president of the SUNYAC for the 1993-1994 academic year. She was also known
for her prowess as an instructor in golf and fencing. An avid golfer
herself, when the time came for her as highest ranking faculty member to
carry the university mace during commencement ceremonies, she chose to wear
her golf gloves instead of the usual white cotton ones because of their
grip.

Off the SUNY Plattsburgh athletics courts and fields, she devoted time to
community service for youth sports development.

In 2021, the Plattsburgh College Foundation launched the Phoebe Sturm
Endowment to benefit Cardinal women’s basketball. Donations may still be
made in her honor here.
<https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1603/bp19/interior.aspx?sid=1603&gid=1&pgid=2477&cid=5407&appealcode=21FSS35A>

No arrangements have been announced at this time, but we will keep you
informed as soon as any information is made available.

Our condolences to all who knew and loved Phoebe Sturm.

Be well and stay safe,

Gerianne



*GERIANNE DOWNS*

(She/her/hers)

Associate Director of Communications

Office of the President

151 Hawkins Hall

101 Broad Street

Plattsburgh, N.Y. 12901

(o) 518-564-3094

(f) 518-564-2094

*plattsburgh.edu <http://plattsburgh.edu/>*
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