Hall of Fame
Adelphi’s varsity softball program began in 1972 under the direction of Janet L. Ficke, and began an era not to be matched by any other Adelphi program. In 17 years (1972-85) at the helm of the softball program, Ficke amassed a 362- 160-3 record, five NCAA Tournament berths and three College World Series appearances. Ficke, along with coach Kathryn Raub, led the Panthers to their first ever NCAA tournament appearance in 1982. The Panthers returned two years later to claim its first Regional title, and an eventual fifth place in the NCAA College World Series. Adelphi returned to the World Series again in 1985, finishing fifth for the second time.
She also played basketball and softball while attending Adelphi University from 1955-1959.
Ficke was also a long time physical education professor at Adelphi. In 2003, Adelphi University dedicated the softball field to her, renaming it Janet L. Ficke Field- it was rededicated in October 2005 and got a face lift with renovations that finished in the summer of 2011. On July 25, 2005, the department held the inaugural Janet L. Ficke Golf Classic, which raises money for women’s athletics at Adelphi and is now referred to as the Panther Ficke Golf Classic.
