Dr. Nikki Franke Honored by Team Up Philly!
On Thursday, May 2, 2024, Team Up Philly honored Black Women in Sport Foundation Co-founder Dr. Nikki Franke as their Jay Barry Harris Hero of the Year.
Team Up Philly honored Dr. Nikki Franke for her outstanding achievement in fencing and her dedication to empowering young girls through sports for over 50 years.
Nikki Franke was s member of the 1976 and 1980 U.S. Olympic Fencing teams, and was the USA Fencing National Foil Champion in 1975 and 1980. Coach Franke launched Temple’s women’s fencing team from scratch, building a club team into an NCAA Division I powerhouse.
During her 50 years of coaching, she amassed 898 victories, making her one of the winningest collegiate coaches in fencing history. She was the first and only Black female Head Coach of an NCAA Division I fencing program when she retired in 1922.
She is an Associate Professor Emerita in Temple University’s College of Public Health, where she taught for more than forty years. She has been inducted into five Halls of Fame and has received numerous honors for her trailblazing and successful career.
She has led the Owls to 19 national post-season appearances. She was the United States Fencing Coaches Association Women’s Coach of the Year in 1983, 1987, 1988, and 1991. She led the Owls to their first national championship during the 1991-92 season. In her honor, she was a NIFWA All-American and inducted into the Brooklyn College Hall of Fame in 1979.
BWSF Co-founder Tina Sloan Green, husband Frank Green, Jr., BWSF Treasurer Shannon George, and BWSF Program & Communications Manager Dr. Germaine Edwards joined guests at Merion Tribute House in celebrating Dr. Franke for a night to benefit Team Up Philly. During the Team Up Philly ceremony, Dr. Franke received a proclamation from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s office. The evening included cocktails, dinner, dessert, a silent auction, and raffle. It was great reuniting with long-time BWSF friends such as Dr. Lurline Jones (a prior Team Up Philly honoree); Pixie Roane; and Gail Hawkins Bush; Renee Bridges, and Hannah Masenheimer to name a few.
TUP Executive Director Marian Fischer Pearlman, BWSF friend Elaine Gillison of the TUP Event Committee, and all of the committee members put on a great event.
TUP Event Committee
Chair: Pam Yih; Beth Buckman, Shari Cumberbatch, Valarie Barrett Everett, Lisa Falasco, Clare Fullerton, Elaine Gillison, Carrie Gish Rockford, Corinne Good, Laura Koropey, Lynne P. Partridge, Carol & Lowell Rich, Susan Thal.
Dr. Nikki Franke honored as the Team Up Philly Jay Barry Harris Hero of the Year
