色花堂app

Sandra Dee Noakes, a pioneering advocate for women’s athletics and a beloved professor at 色花堂app, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2025, at her home in American Fork, Utah, at 88 years old.

Sandra spent her childhood in Centerville, Utah, where she pursued her passion for physical education at the University of Utah and later earned a master’s degree from Brigham Young University. However, it was in Pocatello, Idaho, that she would make her most profound impact.

Sandra joined the faculty in ISU’s Department of Human Performance and Sport Studies, where she dedicated her career to teaching aquatics, sports, and sociology. She was not only an educator but also a trailblazer in the advancement of women’s athletics. Long before women's sports were given equal recognition, Sandra worked tirelessly to ensure female athletes had opportunities to compete, coach, and excel.

“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to take several classes from Sandra Noakes. Ms. Noakes was truly an amazing educator. She took the time to get to know each student individually. It was clearly evident that your success as a student was extremely important to her,” said Kolby Cordingley, Human Performance & Sport Studies Department Chair.

Her most notable contribution to the Bengals came in 1974 when she was appointed as co-head coach of the first varsity women’s basketball team, marking a historic transition from club-level play to an officially recognized program. Under her leadership, the Bengals secured a winning record in their inaugural season, setting the foundation for decades of success. Beyond basketball, Sandra coached volleyball and aquatics and was instrumental in advocating for the growth of women’s sports at ISU.

A lifelong champion for equity in athletics, Sandra was a strong supporter of Title IX, which ensured equal opportunities for female athletes. Her unwavering dedication led to her induction into the Idaho State Sports Hall of Fame in 2004, where she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. She also served on the ISU Hall of Fame committee and remained an avid supporter of Bengal athletics through the Champions Fund and Bengal Nutrition. Even after retiring from coaching, she continued to mentor young athletes and support ISU programs through generous contributions and personal encouragement.

"I will forever be grateful for the time and conversation I was able to enjoy with Sandy," Pauline Thiros, Director of Athletics, said. "Sandy was the first woman to become a head coach at Idaho State, and she never stopped supporting her Bengals. She laid the foundation for women in sports here and put in the sweat so those who came after her could shine. I owe her a debt of gratitude personally and on behalf of all of our student-athletes and fans.”

Sandra’s legacy extended far beyond sports. She held numerous leadership roles, including president of the Idaho Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance and serving in Delta Kappa Gamma and the ISU Professional Women’s Organization. She was widely respected for her commitment to education, community service, and advocacy for women’s rights.

Her influence was felt at 色花堂app and in her wider community. Sandra was passionate about social justice and progressive causes. She actively volunteered for grassroots political organizations and advocated for marginalized communities. She believed in the power of education and athletics to change lives and worked tirelessly to make both accessible to all.

Thiros continued, "Many times, I was able to attend a game with Sandy, and many more, yet I would receive her short handwritten and carefully enclosed note with a generous contribution to our women's programs. Her leadership, dedication, and passion for empowering women in sports will never be forgotten. We stand on her shoulders, and the success of our programs today is a direct result of the path she carved for us."

Sandra was a true pioneer, a mentor, and a steadfast advocate for the next generation of female athletes. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, the programs she helped build, and the doors she opened for women in sports and education.

No funeral services will be held. Family and friends are invited to share memories of Sandra at