Kathy Slattery Phillips, Dartmouth's Sports Information Director, died Wednesday after complications stemming from a brain aneurysm. She was 55.
Phillips got her start at Dartmouth in 1977 as an assistant SID, and took over the position of SID in 1983, becoming the second female SID in the Ivy League. She held the job for 24 years.
The Sports Information Director serves as the primary press contact for Dartmouth's 34 varsity sports teams.
Phillips was the dean of sports information directors in the Ivy League, a member of the College Sports Information Directors Association of America, and the recipient of the Irving T. Marsh award in 1997. The honor, awarded annually by the ECAC SID association, recognizes excellence in the field of sports information.
"The feeling of sorrow and sadness is overwhelming within the department and college, as I am certain it will be with everyone who was touched by Kathy on a professional and a personal level," Dartmouth's Athletic Director Josie Harper wrote in a press release.
"The Dartmouth athletic family has lost a dear friend and a wonderful colleague whose dedication and professionalism was unmatched. For 30 years, Kathy has worked tirelessly on behalf of Dartmouth and thousands of our student-athletes."
Phillips attended Syracuse University, where she graduated cum laude, majoring in newspaper journalism and anthropology. Following graduation, she worked at the Manchester Union Leader and the New Hampshire Sunday News before beginning her 30-year tenure with the Dartmouth athletics department.
News of Phillips's death has prompted an outpouring of memories and condolences on message boards and blogs.
Phillips was also a distinguished amateur golfer, and in 2002 was recognized by Sports Illustrated for winning 18 straight women's championships at the Hanover Country Club. She began her golf career at Concord High School in Concord, N.H., her home town. In addition to her 22 total championships at HCC, Phillips won 14 other club titles, including the 1988 New Hampshire women's amateur championship.
Phillips had been an athlete in college as well, when she was captain of the women's swim team at Syracuse University and received the Lucille Verhulst Sportswoman of the Year Award her senior year.
Phillips is survived by her husband, Corey Slattery, her stepchildren, Carter and Elizabeth, her mother, Jeannette, her brother, Richard, and her nephew, Matthew.
There will be no scheduled calling hours. A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 30 at 11 a.m. in Rollins Chapel, to be followed by a reception at the Hopkins Center.
