Anna Maria Lopez - Special Contributor

The face of St. Mary’s Academy athletics from her playing days to her current job as athletic director, Anna Maria Lopez is as distinguished as a role model as she was a competitor.

Between 1974 and 1978, Lopez was the dominant female prep athlete in the state, some might say dominant athlete period.

A four-sport athlete for St. Mary’s Blues, Anna Maria’s season never seemed to end. She led the volleyball team to a pair of state championships, winning three all-state honors. Basketball yielded two all-state awards. On the softball diamond, Lopez became an ASA all-American. And she still had time to win the state discus championship…. Twice. Not surprisingly, she was named Oregon Prep Athlete of the Year as a senior.

At the University of Southern California, Anna Maria settled for two sports. A 4-year letter winner in volleyball, she was part of two National Championship teams. Lopez also lettered three years in basketball.

Volleyball was her ticket to a professional career, Lopez was an all-star of Major League Volleyball.

Coaching was next as the prodigal daughter returned to Saint Mary’s in 1984. Anna Maria was just as successful in that venture, honored as state coach of the year for
volleyball and track and field.

After receiving her masters degree from Portland State, Lopez added athletic director to her resume and, yes, she would also be honored as Oregon’s top athletic director in 2001.