Jeanne Galvin was a force in promoting the growth of women's scholastic and college sports on many levels, from local and Slate, to regional, national and international competition.

The Buffalo native was not even exposed to any girls' sports at Union Springs High School prior to her graduation in 1956. When she entered SUNY Cortland, however, she took to the playing field with gusto, and she carried this enthusiasm with her throughout her brilliant coaching career. "I didn't want other kids to miss out like I did," she recalled in choosing her career path.
She went on to receive a Master's degree from Indiana University. As a physical education instructor and coach at West Canada Valley, Owen D. Young, Cherry Valley and Richfield Springs Central Schools, she never had a losing season from 1960 to 1971. She was also a physical education instructor for BOCES in Herkimer and Otsego counties, kindergarten through 12'" grade, from 1960 to 1965.

Then in 1971, she was handed the major task of building a women's athletic program from scratch at Herkimer County Community College. For the first three years, she coached all four women's sports, field hockey, basketball, volleyball and softball, picking up a total of seven state titles along the way.

Galvin eventually carved out her reputation with the field hockey program. From 1971 to 1995, she posted more than 250 victories. In 1987, the Lady Generals became the first HCCC team to ever win a national junior college championship. She repeated the feat in 1991, also earning g her second National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Coach of the Year title. Overall, her field hockey teams finished second in the nationals three times. and placed third an additional tour times.

Twenty-eight members of her field hockey teams received All-America recognition. Many of (hem have since gone on to coach their own teams, thereby funneling more talented players to HCCC.
In addition, from 1971 tol988, Galvin coached HCCC women's basketball, picking up more than 200 victories. Twice, her teams qualified for the NICAA nationals. in 1979 and 1980. She retired as an associate professor in 1995.

Galvin was also active as an administrator. Among her many positions were NJCAA Field Hockey Regional Director, and President of the NJCAA National Field Hockey Coaches Association. She was a member of the Executive Council. Eastern Association of Intercollegiate Athletics For Women, and chairman of the New York State Association of intercollegiate Athletics For Women, Two-Year Division.

As a director with the U.S. Field Hockey Association Olympic Development Program, she organized and coached high school and college teams during summer tours to England. Australia, New Zealand. Fiji, Poland and Holland.

In her free time, she became an active competitor in triathlons. canoeing, running and cycling.

She won gold, silver and bronze age group medals in master's swimming competition at the Empire State Games.

Galvin was inducted into SUNY Tech Wildcat Hall of Fame in 1994. She received the Utica YWCA Achievement for Outstanding Women in Sports Award, also in 1994.