Hall of Fame
Two-sport captain with eight Northern Illinois letters and aggressive "score" mindset within team system. Lettered in field hockey (4) and basketball (4) under Hall of Fame head coach Mary Bell. Established regional and national reputation in field hockey by garnering Second-Team All-North Central College Association honors (1974) and First-Team All-NCCA accolades (1975, 1976). Named Second-Team All-U. S. Field Hockey Association at national tournament as junior (1975). Made school history by becoming first Huskie field hockey player to score five goals in one match in 5-0 triumph vs. Wisconsin (October 29, 1976). Selected team captain and earned Honorable Mention All-North Central Sectional Selection Tournament on 11-3-1 squad as senior (1976). Completed Northern Illinois hardwood tenure with 533 career points and 10.1 points- per-game scoring average in four seasons at forward. Named team cage captain as junior and senior. "She led by example," said Bell. "Gayle was a real team player in everything she did. One of the things she displayed consistently was a desire to contribute for the sake of the team." Long-time teacher / coach / administrator at Deerfield High. Produced 429-203 won-lost mark (.677 winning pct.), 24 winning seasons, and 20 league titles in 26 years as head softball coach at DHS. Won four loop crowns as volleyball coach (1977-90). Enshrined into Illinois Girls Coaches Association (2002) and Illinois Coaches Association Softball (2004) halls of fame. Glenbard East High product.
