Hall of Fame
Joan Mussmacher served Norwich University with distinction in a variety of teaching and coaching positions.
An outstanding three-sport athlete while at Boston University's Sargant College of Physical Education, Joan went on to teach and coach at Natick High School upon graduation in 1957. After completing work on a master's degree in Recreational Education at Northeastern University in 1959, she moved on to Vermont College to take over as chairperson of the Department of Physical Education.
Joan also coached the field hockey and basketball teams at VC for 13 years in addition to her duties as department chairperson. After Vermont College's merger with Norwich in 1972, she was responsible for establishing women's field hockey and basketball at NU. This would be the beginning of Norwich's women's intercollegiate athletic program.
Joan worked as Norwich's Assistant Director of Athletics for Women from 1978-84 and has coached four sports at NU. As the head field hockey coach for 13 year her teams produced several Northeast College Field Hockey Association All-Stars. She also coached the women's basketball team for two seasons and was an assistant coach for the softball team. In 1989, she started the men's tennis program again after a 50-year absence. Her tennis teams posted a dual match record of 18-4 over a three-year stretch.
Joan also served as a consultant to high schools and colleges and spoke at several state, regional, and national conferences over the last three decades. She represented the state of Vermont as the state delegate to the First National Institute for Girl's and Women's Sports in 1964. In 1970, she was the recipient of the Service award from the Vermont Association of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. In 1990, she was honored with the first ever Norwich University Alumni Association Foundation Award from Vermont College.
Joan chaired the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Norwich from 1991-93. She was a full professor of physical education and was the director of the physical education program in the Department of Biology and Life Sciences.
