May 20, 2020
Pat Deacon is a Kentucky native who has been an athlete, teacher, coach, trailblazer, and an active role model across her lifetime. Pat earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physical Education from the University of Kentucky in 1957 and 1960. During college, Pat was a field hockey and basketball athlete on teams that were organized by the Physical Education, rather than the Athletic department. She went on to become a professor and coach at Transylvania University. As a testament to her influence during her 28 years at Transylvania, Pat became a member of the Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2000 and the stadium for the outdoor athletic complex bears her name. Pat’s active story continues to the present day – since 1986, Pat and her husband have averaged over 3,000 miles per year on a tandem bike and she is currently preparing for her next Senior Games competition.