Florence Merdian is one of two women who is included in the first group of inductees to be so honored tonight in the hall of fame.
During her years at Knox, tennis, basketball, and hockey were the main sports for women, with competition centering on class teams. Swimming and rowing were also popular class events. A point system, devised by the women’s athletic association, gave the women an opportunity to take part in athletics and win a place on the class teams. Intercollegiate competition was limited to tennis meets with Monmouth College and to participation in the State Women’s tennis tournament held in Decatur by MIllikin University.
Florence’s athletic career at Knox included the following achievements:
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Earned a letter in tennis.
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Won the interclass tennis championship for 4 years.
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Won the Illinois College’s Women championships in both singles and doubles.
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State champion singles player in her sophomore year.
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Won the singles and doubles championships of the newly formed Little 19 Conference in her junior year.
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Captained the Sophomore Women’s basketball team, earning a letter.
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Played soccer in her second year.
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Played on the junior class hockey and basketball teams.
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Coached freshman women’s basketball.
While at Knox, Florence was editor of both the Knox Student newspaper and the Gale yearbook. She was President of the Women’s K Club, secretary of the Panhellenic Association, member of the Mortar Board and elected to Theta Sigma Phi, a national journalism society.
After her college graduation Florence in 1928 won the Peoria District Women’s doubles championship, the Galesburg Mixed doubles championship ( with Harold Judd Holland –K 1899), and the Galesburg Women’s singles first place. In 1931 she was victorious in the YMCA- Knox tennis tourney.
In her post college years Florence served a time as assistant coach for women’s athletics at Knox. From 1925 to 1954 she was editor of the national magazine for the Phi Mu sorority. IN 1930 when was selected National President of the Editors of Sorority Magazines. She had employment with the Associated Press. She then served as a staff writer and Galesburg reporter to the Peoria Journal-Star newspaper from the early 1920’s to her retirement.
A retired journalist, Florence makes her home in Henry, Illniois.
Her family is made of brothers Charles (Knox ’27) and Gene (Knox ’35) and Sister Ruth (Knox’33).
