Monroe was a four-time AIAW national qualifier for the UI swim team during 1971-1975, but this groundbreaking athlete nearly took a different path.
Raised in Santa Barbara, Calif., Nancy competed on swim teams from the age of 8 through High School. She set two National High School records, while attending San Marcos High School, one in Freestyle and one in Butterfly. Believing her swimming career was over, she decided to attend the Univ. of Idaho with no intent competing. The Univ. of Idaho had just completed a new swimming complex for the men’s team in 1971 and was now required to offer the sport for women with the beginning of Title IX. No scholarships were available for the first 3 years and the women’s team began with 4 ladies in 1971.Nancy qualified for and attended the AIAW Championships all four years.
In the summer of 1974, Nancy married Brent Monroe and they were completing their senior years. Nancy had decided not to swim that year as she would have student teaching and a part time job. However Title IX was now prepared to give scholarships to women and her competitive nature would not let her quit at this moment in History. The scholarship was for $175.00 dollars and it was strongly suggested she would be more likely to receive one if she did two sports and had a high GPA! She played Volleyball and helped the Vandals to a 21-4 record with a win over Washington State. She then competed in swimming and was chosen the Most Inspirational Swimmer all four years. She held the records in Butterfly and Freestyle and the Individual Medley for several years.
Nancy played Volleyball for two years at Idaho.
After graduating, Nancy taught and coached in High school and Middle schools in Idaho and Oregon and Washington, for a total of 38 years. The last 22 years were with the Mead School District in Spokane. She also taught classes at UI as a graduate assistant while getting her Masters degree.
Nancy was the first Volleyball coach at Kendrick High School. She coached both the Varsity and JV teams beginning in 1977. She compiled a 110-14 record with 6 trips to the State tournament. She also coached track, swimming and basketball during her career. After moving to Lake Chelan, she coached the Chelan High volleyball team to its first two state tournament appearances in program history. Nancy is a charter member of the University of Idaho Hall of Fame.
Nancy and Brent have two adult children, Ryan Monroe and Erin Bryan.