Fort Lewis College Athletics

Noreen Ferrari played basketball at Fort Lewis College from 1968-72 and volleyball from 1969-72, and was instrumental in building the women's varsity intercollegiate athletic program. She was among the region's top female athletes of her time, although neither varsity letters nor formal all-conference recognition were awarded during those years.

Ferrari served as assistant women's basketball coach at Fort Lewis College in 1972-73, and served as head volleyball coach at Fort Lewis College during 1975 when coach Peppy Seale was on maternity leave. Ferrari's Raiders posted a 12-5 overall record and earned a trip to the AIAW National Championships.

After graduating from Fort Lewis College with bachelor's degrees in physical education and psychology, she later earned her master's degree in physical education with specialization in adaptive physical education from the University of Washington in 1980.

Ferrari was active in coaching, athletic administration and physical education for 25 years. She has coached basketball, volleyball, and softball at the college, high school, and junior high levels. In 1989, her St. Scholastic High School team in Chicago, Ill., won the Girls' Catholic Athletic Conference basketball title. She earned Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year honors that season for the girls' Class AA, Division I.

Ferrari served as a physical education teacher and 8th grade volleyball coach at Cary Junior High School in Cary, Ill. During that time, she also coached basketball at Lamb's Farm in Libertyville, Ill., a residential home for handicapped adults. Her teams have placed first in the Special Olympics Intermediate Level multiple times.