Niagara Women's Sports History
A timeline celebrating Niagara women athletes, teams, and defining moments.
From the archive
Every team and generation added something to Niagara women’s athletics. N-Power’s history collection will preserve those moments while reconnecting the athletes who lived them.
Chapter 01
Kathryn Rafter and her teammates helped lead the effort to have women's sports officially sanctioned at Niagara. In 1974, Rafter became the first female student elected to the Athletics Advisory Council as the university implemented Title IX.
Niagara Athletics: Kathryn Rafter and Title IXChapter 02
Swimming and diving became Niagara's first varsity women's sport, opening a new chapter for women athletes on Monteagle Ridge.
Niagara Athletics: Girls & Women in Sports DayChapter 03
Competing before today's divisional structure, Niagara women's basketball finished third nationally in the AIAW.
Niagara Athletics: Honoring the 1978–79 teamChapter 04
The Purple Eagles captured their first women's tennis MAAC championship in 2003 and their second in 2005, earning NCAA Tournament appearances in both seasons.
Niagara Athletics: Women's tennis historyChapter 05
Niagara won its first volleyball MAAC championship in 2009, reached its first NCAA Tournament, and then won the 2010 and 2011 conference tournaments for three straight titles.
Niagara Athletics: 2009 volleyball Hall of Fame teamChapter 06
Niagara announced women's bowling as its 19th varsity sport, and the program earned its first tournament victory later that year.
Niagara Athletics: 2023–24 year in reviewChapter 07
Women's swimming won its second MAAC championship in three seasons, women's lacrosse captured its first MAAC title, and Niagara finished second in the MAAC women's standings—its best finish since joining the conference.
Niagara Athletics: 2023–24 year in reviewChapter 08
Volleyball alumna and founding N-Power intern Laryssa Imbuzeiro received the N-Power Award at Niagara's 10th annual Purple Eagles Award Show.
Niagara Athletics: 2025 Purple Eagles Awards