Grinnell College Athletics

Paula McDermott '75, or "Dermo" joins the Hall not because of her accomplishments at Grinnell, but for the national recognition she received after graduation. As a woman athlete during the early 70's, Paula's choices were very limited due to the lack of intercollegiate sports offered to women. However, Paula did play on the first women's team to play organized basketball after the title IX federal legislation directed gender equity in intercollegiate athletics. Due to these limitations for women, Paula was unable to showcase all of her athletic skills. This eventually changed as she became more and more involved in racquetball after graduation. This is where she found her true calling as she began to master the sport. She went on to compete at every level, winning 15 state and regional championships in the northeast. In 1983 her hard work and determination paid off in highest form as she was crowned national racquetball champion. Aside from her athletic accomplishments Paula is a partner in the law firm of Killian and Gephart in Harrisburg, Pa. In 1996 she received an honorary doctor's degree from Grinnell. To this day Paula is still competing regularly in racquetball, and she and her partner are the current Pennsylvania women's 35 and over doubles champions.