Yakima Valley College Athletics

Elizabeth Prior was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1879 and moved to Yakima when she was 19 years old.  She began her career in education as a teacher for Yakima High School in 1904.  In 1928, she was named Yakima Valley College’s very first principal and lead administrator (essentially the role of president) when the school opened its doors for classes. Prior helped begin the initial physical education and athletic programs for men and women at YVC. Her foundation of learning is summed up best as “Healthy Body, Sound Mind.”  She also played an integral role in the efforts to create the formation of the Washington State Junior College Athletic Conference in 1946. Because athletics were a priority for Prior, she helped identify the funding sources to make YVC's athletic program work, including using her own money to buy gas for YVC athletic road trips, writing recruiting letters to potential student-athletes, and assisting her coaches with the identification of part-time job opportunities for YVC student-athletes. Prior passed away in 1950 and the college’s present day administration building continues to bear her name.  In 2003, she was posthumously inducted into the NWAC Hall of Fame.