Donna Bender, Widener University
Swimming – Class of 1979
One of the most prolific swimmers in Widener history, Donna Bender won five Middle Atlantic Conference titles and was also an All-American in 1977 as part of the squad’s freestyle relay teams at the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) National Championships. She was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1977 when she led the Pride to a 9-0 record. At the time of her graduation, Bender held eight school swimming records, all of which lasted no fewer than 20 years. She lost just once during her first 48 races at Widener, guiding the Pride to a 20-0 record over those two seasons (1976-1977). Donna was inducted into the Widener University Hall of Fame in 2014.
Donna Bender's Widener Hall of Fame Page