Under Mary Hosking's direction from 1971 until her retirement in 1987, the Physical Education Department at William Smith College blossomed from a three-person operation into a 14-member department encompassing outdoor recreation, dance, intramurals, club sports and a nationally-recognized intercollegiate program.
A native of Owego, N.Y., the former Mary Ellen Morgan graduated from Cortland with a B.S. in physical education in 1953. While there, Hosking was active with the Women's Athletic Association, the Junior Aquatics Club and the Cardinal Key Society. Hosking, a member of Phi Lambda Theta National Educational Honor Society, later earned a master's degree from the University of Colorado in 1961.
After graduation from Cortland, Hosking taught physical education at East Aurora (N.Y.) High and at Iroquois Central in Elma, N.Y. From 1955 until 1960, she taught at Stranahan High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. During the next two years, Hosking was a teacher and guidance counselor at Oakland (Calif.) City College.
In 1963, Hosking began her long-term relationship with William Smith College. She has coached nearly every sport the College has offered, including surpassing the 100-victory plateau as a tennis mentor in 1982. Hosking took on the added duties of William Smith athletic director in 1983. An active member in the New York State Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NYSAIAW), Hosking directed numerous tennis championships, chaired the Ethics and Eligibility Committee and was president when the organization changed its title to the New York State Women's Collegiate Athletic Association. Hosking organized the first-ever NYSWCAA Scholar-Athlete Award Committee this past year.
Hosking has held various roles with the Association of Women in Physical Education in New York State (AWPENYS) during the last 25 years. A member of the United States Tennis Association since 1965, Hosking is a past chairperson and athletic director of the Rochester Area Colleges Consortium.
At Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Hosking has served on the Committee of Students, the Women's Studies Committee, the Recreation Center Steering Committee and has assisted the Admissions Office in the selection of students. In 1983, Hosking procured approval, established and developed an intercollegiate support group at William Smith College known as the Heron Society, a title based upon the athletic teams nickname.
In her community, Hosking co-chaired the year-long Bicentennial Celebration in Geneva. She belongs to the membership, property and finance committees of the North Presbyterian Church. A Zonta International member, Hosking has worked with the United Way, Planned Parenthood, Finger Lakes Health Systems and Citizens for Recreation Improvements.
Mary and the late William Hosking, the former Hobart and William Smith College Economics Department chairman and Geneva mayor, have a stepson, William.
UPDATE: Hosking passed away on November 15, 2007.
