KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- Kutztown University athletics announced co-recipients of its Legacy Award for 2021 on Wednesday afternoon. Dr. Carol Teske will be honored and Margaret Francis Rothermel-Kantner will be posthumously recognized for their influence on women's sports at KU during the university's Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Friday, Nov. 12.

Established in 2019, the Athletics Legacy Award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the KU athletic department and the university through their time, dedication, commitment, philanthropy and/or general support. John "Jack" Wabby '68 was the inaugural award winner, but the award was not presented in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the absence of last November's annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Teske became the first female head coach for then Kutztown State College in 1969, guiding the field hockey program for four seasons through 1972. She laid the groundwork for the program in her first two years before posting an impressive 12-1-5 record over her final two seasons.

Teske was dedicated to the university's success both athletically and academically. Following her time as coach, Teske moved into athletics administration and served as women's athletic director for the department. She promoted women's athletics and served as an advocate for her peers, coaches and student-athletes. Teske also served on and chaired numerous committees, working hard to implement positive changes within KU athletics. She approved and promoted the Golden Bear women's programs to travel and experience new, competitive venues, including a basketball trip to Minnesota and helped pioneer softball's annual spring break trip.

In addition to her coaching and administrative duties at KU, Teske served as associate professor and chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Dance. While chair, she was a visionary in looking toward the future and led the department in developing a new major in Leisure and Sport Studies, now Sport Management and Leadership Studies.

Kantner served as the first head coach for three Kutztown State College women's athletic programs: basketball, volleyball and tennis and was also a professor of health and physical education at Kutztown for 35 years.

Kantner's coaching career at the university began in 1971 at the helm of the women's basketball team. Kutztown enjoyed immediate success under her tutelage winning the first seven games and finishing 7-1 in its inaugural varsity season and following that up with a 10-1 season in 1972. Kantner coached three seasons and closed with a 19-12 record, winning 61% of her games.

Following her time with the basketball team, Kantner started the women's volleyball program at Kutztown State in 1974. The Golden Bears registered a perfect 7-0 record in their first season and Kantner had winning records in each of her four seasons (1974-77) with the program. She concluded with a 71% success rate, claiming 30 victories in 42 matches.

In 1975, Kantner started the school's women's tennis team. Between 1975-78, she coached the tennis and volleyball teams simultaneously. Kantner provided oversight for the women's tennis program until 1983, recording a 24-33 record in nine seasons.

Kantner, a professor at Kutztown, taught archery, swimming, juggling, aerobics and health education. She passed away in August 2020 at the age of 86.

Honorees for the KU Athletics Legacy Award may be nominated by the public, the Golden Bear community and the selection committee. The selection committee consists of KU's vice president for Athletics, executive director of the Kutztown University Foundation, Hall of Fame committee chair, athletic director, director of Athletic Advancement and a representative of the Alumni Relations staff. 

The 2021 hall of fame induction ceremony and Legacy Award presentation will be held in the Nancy Jean Stump Seiger '54 Multipurpose Room of the McFarland Student Union on Friday, Nov. 12. Further details and online registration will be finalized in the coming months.