In Memoriam: Mildred “Millie” Barrett West, 1934-2020

Millie West, a long-time administrator in the department of athletics at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, died on February 15. She was 85 years old.

A native of Cedartown, Georgia, West was a graduate of Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, now known as Georgia College and State University. She went on to earn a master’s degree at the University of Maryland.

West began her career at the College of William and Mary in 1959 as an instructor in physical education.

In 1969, West was named director of women’s athletics. After the men’s and women’s departments merged in 1986, her title became associate director of athletics. In addition to her work as an administrator, West was the coach of synchronized swimming, the swimming program, and the women’s tennis program, where she won 87 percent of the matches when she was the coach.

In 1991, she retired from the athletics department and was named director of special projects for the university.