Marge Trout guided the women’s athletic programs at Millersville University for 30 years, often championing reforms set forth by Title IX prior to the laws going on the books.
Trout was at Millersville for a total of 37 years (beginning in 1964), but her early years included teaching elementary physical education and coaching the women’s basketball team, both as a part-time employee. When Millersville wanted to start a women’s lacrosse program, they asked Trout to do it. I told them, “OK, I’ll learn the game.”
In 1971, the school asked Trout to coordinate the women’s athletic program. She did so until 2001, when she became the Athletic Director.
When Trout arrived at Millersville, the school offered three sports for women: field hockey, basketball and tennis. By the time she retired in 2001, there were 10, with Millersville having added cross country, outdoor track and field, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and volleyball.
While coordinating athletics at Millersville, Trout raised her profile in athletics in the state of Pennsylvania and nationally. She served on the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference board of directors and became the conference’s first woman president in 1978. She also held several committee positions with the NCAA and was elected to the first NCAA Twelve Member Committee on Women’s Athletics in 1987.
Trout received the George W. Kirchner Memorial Award in 2018.