SUNY Cortland Athletics

As chairman of the Physical Education Department at SUNY Albany since 1979, Patricia Cole Rogers has earned a reputation as a dedicated, thorough administrator who possesses a special gift of relating well to college students. "My career in college teaching and coaching has always been designed primarily for me to be in a position to assist young adults at a time and place in their worlds at which major lifetime decisions are contemplated and future directions are set in motion," observed Rogers, a member of the SUNY Albany Physical Education Department since 1966. "The profession of physical education and athletics has created an ideal atmosphere for such advisement," she added. "My current administrative role extends that opportunity for sharing to young teachers and coaches as well. In this capacity, I believe that I am giving something in return to those at Cortland who gave so much of themselves to me."

Rogers, who also chaired SUNY Albany's University Senate in 1984-85, works directly with the Athletics' Council, comprised of representatives from SUNY Albany's 21 intercollegiate sports. The group regularly discusses issues related to the development of sports on campus. In 1982-83, Rogers served an integral role on the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Reorganization Committee which studied and subsequently guided the league's expansion into women's athletics. Rogers has been the SUNYAC Women's Division Chairman since 1983.

A native of Delmar, Rogers came to Cortland in 1959 as a mid-year transfer from Indiana University. She participated in field hockey and dance, taught swimming at the YWCA, and worked as faculty editor on the yearbook. In 1962, Rogers earned her B.S. in health, physical education and recreation. The following year, she received a master's degree from the University of Oregon. From 1963 until 1965, Rogers taught physical education in the North Colonie Schools in Latham. In 1966, Rogers began at SUNY Albany as a physical education instructor and the women's intramural director. She coached the SUNY Albany synchronized swimming team between 1970 and 1981. During that time, she served on the National Association for Girls and Women in Sports (NAGWS) synchronized swimming committees and was meet director for the first AIAW national championship in the sport.

A co-author of two texts on physical education, Rogers was association chairman of the Physical Education Department in 1978-79. Rogers became the department chairman and an associate professor in the Physical Education Department in 1979 and has been associate director at SUNY Albany since 1981. Rogers is currently a member of the NCAA Nominating Committee.

Rogers has two daughters: Patricia and Michele.

UPDATE: Rogers passed away on Aug. 29, 2009 at age 69.