Jody McMillan Sanders graduated from Lake Erie College in 1981 with majors in Physical Education, Health Education and Equestrian Studies. During her years at Lake Erie, Jody was a three-year letter winner in volleyball, basketball and softball. She was voted Most Valuable Player of the volleyball team in 1979, and in 1979, 1980 and 1981 Most Valuable Player in basketball. She also served as Faculty Assistant to the Athletic Administrator. A member of the Mortar Board National Honor Society, Jody was a recipient of the James F. Lincoln Memorial Scholarship, and in her senior year earned the Jane White Lincoln Perpetual Athletic Award and was honored by Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. She was also the student representative to AlAW. During her Academic Term Abroad, Jody traveled throughout England, Scotland and Wales and graduated from the Kellett Riding Institute in Kill, Ireland. In 1979 she completed two internships: one as Assistant Athletic Director and Coach of the Junior Olympic Track and Field Team for the Kirtland United Way, and one as Instructor of the Physical Fitness/Conditioning Program for Community Women of Painesville, held at Lake Erie College.
After graduation from Lake Erie College, Jody earned graduate teaching assistantships in Physical Education and Graduate Coaching in Women's Basketball at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she earned her master's degree. In 1982, she joined the staff of Calhoun High School in Port Lavaca as Health Education Teacher and Physical Education Teacher. Jody served as the school's varsity volleyball and junior varsity basketball coach, coordinated county high school and junior high volleyball programs, and directed the Sandie Basketball Tournament. In varsity volleyball, her overall record was 68-57, her district record was 32-22, with two playoff appearances between 1985 and 1989. She also coached junior varsity volleyball from 1983 to 1985, and freshman volleyball from 1982-83. Her overall record for junior varsity basketball stands at 96-43, her district record at 52-16, with three district championships, two of them being undefeated titles earned between 1983-89. Jody also coached freshman basketball and track from 1982-1983.
Jody is a Senior Claim Representative for State Farm Insurance and a member of the company's National Special Disaster Team. She and her husband reside in Victoria, Texas with stepson Jeremy. She and her husband are awaiting the birth of a child.
The Hall of Fame Committee recognizes all of these accomplishments by honoring Jody McMillan Sanders as an inductee in the Lake Erie College Athletic Hall of Fame on April 20, 1994.
