In Memoriam: Mylla Urban, 1941-2020

Mylla Urban, professor of physical education, athletics & recreation, emerita, at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, died late last month after suffering from a long illness. She was 78 years old.

Urban came to Carleton in 1969 as an instructor of physical education for women. She coached field hockey, swimming, and softball. Urban was named assistant professor of physical education in 1977. That same year, she was also president of the Minnesota Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women.

Urban later was promoted to full professor and eventually served as associate dean of the college from 1979 to 1988 and as director of the Career Center from 1981 to 1988. In February 1988, Urban was named chair of Carleton’s newly created department of physical education, athletics, and recreation. She was appointed athletics director with the challenge of merging the men’s and women’s programs. Urban stepped down as athletics director in 1992 in order to return to teaching and coaching. She retired from the college in 1999.

Urban was a graduate of Minnesota State University-Mankato, where she played field hockey, volleyball, and basketball.