University of Vermont Athletics

Jennifer Oakes 1972 - Basketball, Field Hockey, Lacrosse

Inducted into the UVM Hall of Fame in 2002, this Catamount was a three-sport standout and captain in the years before Title IX. Jennifer Oakes went on to become a statewide leader in physical education through her 30 years as a teacher, coach and administrator in the Williston school system and her work with various statewide committees.

A former chair of the UVM Athletic Hall of Fame Administrative Committee, Oakes was an outstanding lacrosse player, serving as captain of the team for two years. Former teammate and Hall of Famer Patsy McLaughlin said Oakes was the most skilled player on the team during its formative years at UVM, playing every position from goaltender to attack. Her coach, Janice Lange, said Oakes was the "backbone of the team and made coaching for a neophyte coach a pleasure."

In field hockey, Oakes was a dominant defensive player, starting in every game for three years while serving as captain as a senior. Also a top basketball player, Oakes was a key part of the 1970-71 team that went undefeated during the regular season and went on to play in the Northeast Regional Championships. Oakes also served as a captain of the basketball team as a senior.

Following her UVM graduation, Oakes played for the Vermont Field Hockey Association team that competed against other club teams from throughout New England. She received her master's degree from Lesley College and also helped coach the basketball and soccer teams at UVM in the 1970s. In addition to her two terms on the Hall of Fame Committee, Oakes also served on the UVM Athletic Council for two terms and has been a timer and official scorer for UVM women’s basketball for over 25 years.

In her career as a physical education teacher, Oakes has been a leader in the state, serving on the Board of the Vermont Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and on the Standards Committee for Physical Education. She also helped develop state standards in physical education, and is now helping on assessments that will be used across the state.