Indiana University of Pennsylvania Athletics

The hallways of Memorial Field House are lined with certificates honoring many of the great swimmers in IUP history. Paving the way for that successful legacy is Donna Kane-Maurer, who became the university's first women's All-American in any sport in 1980.

Kane, a four-year varsity swimmer, reached that lofty level when she set a school record in the 200 backstroke with a time of 2:I7.89 at the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AlAW) national championships held at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa.

She set the stage for her pioneering efforts at the national meet with an outstanding performance at the PSAC championships. Kane finished fourth at the conference meet in the 200 backstroke and placed in the top 10 in the 50 and 100 backstrokes. She also swam a leg on the 200 freestyle and 400 medley relay teams that took fourth.

With Kane leading the way, IUP took fourth in the team standings, the best finish for the women's squad to that point. During the regular season in 1979-80, she was a double event winner against Bucknell and Slippery Rock, helping IUP to a 6-5 dual meet record.

Kane graduated from IUP with a degree in health and physical education in 1980 and earned a master 's degree from Villanova four years later. She was a nurse for many years before retiring from the profession and is currently a high school swimming coach.

Kane and her husband, Dr. Robert Maurer, are the parents of sons Rob and Tim and daughter Stephanie and the family resides in Hershey, Pa.