Athletics Hall of Famer Olga Fallen Passes Away

Olga Fallen, 77, a former Baylor University women's athletics head coach and director of women's athletics, passed away Friday, May 8. Services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco.

Fallen was inducted into the Baylor Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999 as a Coach of Women's Sports from 1956-979. She served as head women's basketball coach from 1974-79, where she posted a five-year record of 143-50 (.741) and averaged 28 victories a season. Under her direction, Baylor made two trips to the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) National Tournament, registering a fifth place finish in 1977. That season Baylor ranked No. 12 in the final Associated Press Poll.

In addition to coaching basketball, Fallen also skippered Baylor's softball team from 1974-79, where she posted a 71-56 (.559) record, and coached the track squad as well.

Before joining the AIAW in 1974, Baylor's women's sports were a group of women from physical education classes, who played scrimmages against other Texas schools. Fallen coached Baylor teams prior to 1974, while serving as a physical education instructor.

"We were saddened to hear of Ms. Fallen's passing. She was a pioneer in Baylor women's athletics. As a coach, she set the bar high, especially in basketball, where she was very successful," said Baylor head coach women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Olga Fallen Physical Education Scholarship Fund or the Basketball Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of Olga Fallen, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97050, Waco, TX 76798, or securely online at www.baylor.edu/give.