Add another prestigious honor to the illustrious career of Murray State women’s golf coaching legend Velvet Milkman. Already set to be inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame Class of 2024, Milkman was announced Monday as part of the Kentucky Golf Foundation’s Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Milkman joins a distinguished class that includes Eddie Mudd, Whitney Wade, and George Johnson. Details about the induction ceremony will be announced at a later date.
A Legendary Career at Murray State
Milkman’s career at Murray State is nothing short of remarkable. From the inception of the MSU women’s golf program in the fall of 1993 to her retirement in May 2022, Milkman led the Racers to consistent high-level performances and cultivated individual excellence. Over her 29 seasons, Milkman became the all-time leader at Murray State with 12 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Championships. Her coaching prowess was evident in her ability to maintain excellence across decades, with her first title coming in 1997 and her last in 2019.
Under her guidance, 10 OVC Player of the Year honors were awarded to eight different student-athletes, highlighting her ability to develop top-tier talent. Milkman’s impact extended beyond the course, as her teams excelled academically as well. The Racers earned 35 OVC Medals of Honor, which recognize student-athletes with perfect 4.0 GPAs. Additionally, six of her student-athletes graduated as the top student in their field of study at Murray State, and her program earned the OVC Academic Achievement Award four consecutive times from 2005 to 2008.
Leadership Beyond Coaching
In addition to her coaching success, Milkman played a significant leadership role in MSU Athletics. She served as the senior woman administrator for 18 years and led the department as interim athletics director from July 2018 through February 2019. Her influence also extended to the national level, where she played a pivotal role in shaping women’s golf within the NCAA. Milkman served a four-year term on the NCAA Women’s Golf Committee from 2009 to 2012, including two years as chair.
Velvet Milkman’s induction into the Kentucky Golf Foundation Hall of Fame is a fitting recognition of her decades-long contributions to the sport of golf, both at Murray State and beyond. Her legacy as a coach, mentor, and leader continues to inspire and set a standard for excellence in collegiate athletics.
