Hall of Fame
Since the 1970s, most Monmouth College athletes have made their mark competing against their NCAA Division III peers. But in one memorable competition, Melissa Jones Bittner stood tall against the best female college athletes in all divisions.
Bittner was a Top 10 finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year honor in 2003. Her nomination was based on a remarkable Fighting Scot career that saw her be named All-Midwest Conference 15 times out of 16 opportunities.
The four-time All-American high jumper won that event the maximum eight times at MWC meets, posting a best effort of 5’6-1/2. In basketball, she scored 1,318 points which, at the time of her induction, ranked third in school history. The United Township High School product finished her volleyball career with three All-MWC honors and 1,325 kills.
Through the 2012-13 season, Bittner was four wins shy of being Monmouth’s winningest women’s basketball coach. She guided the Scots to their only NCAA tournament berth in 2012.
