Jan Palchikoff (2015) - Hall of Fame

Jan Palchikoff

Induction:
2015

One of the true pioneers for women's athletics, Jan Palchikoff was a member of UCLA's rowing program as a club sport in 1973 and as a varsity sport in 1974 and 1975. She also competed on the UCLA swimming team from 1971-74 and competed in the AIAW Swim Nationals in 1971, 1972 and 1974. Palchikoff helped UCLA reach the U.S. Women's Rowing Association National Championships for the first time in 1974. She was a five-time member of the U.S. National Rowing Team, a national champion in double sculls in 1979 and a member of the U.S. Olympic teams in 1976 and 1980, finishing fifth at the Olympics in the double sculls in 1976. In 2014, she established a masters' hour world record for her age group in track cycling. While she had great success as a competitor, perhaps her greatest contributions came off the playing surface. One of the founding members of the Union of Women Athletes, she was a strong advocate for Title IX and served as a student representative on the Chancellor's Advisory Council on the Status of Women and on the UC Athletic Advisory Board. Since 2004, she has served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer for Special Olympics Southern California.

* Accomplishments listed above were at the time of induction.