Patty Vavra – Vavra was a four year member of the basketball and track teams at MSSC. She was a two time All-CSIC selection in basketball, as well as a two time All-CSIC pick in three separate events and four time team MVP performer in track. She was the CSIC 100m hurdle champion and a regional qualifier her junior year and was named Lady Lion Athlete of the Year and a MAIAW Scholar-Athlete as a senior in 1980. Vavra retired from Missouri Southern after a highly-successful stint as the women’s track and field and cross country coach. In 22 years, Vavra led the Lions to seven MIAA cross country championships (1998, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2014) as well as indoor track and field championships in 2004 and 2008 and outdoor titles in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The cross country team won the NCAA Regional Title for three-straight years from 2007-09.

She led the team to the MIAA Triple Crown in 2007-08 where MSSU won the MIAA cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field titles. She has won 12 MIAA Coach of the Year Awards (seven in cross country and two in indoor and three in outdoor track and field). The 2009 cross country team placed third at the Division II National Championships.