The pioneer who approached the Interscholastic League in the late 1960s about allowing girls to play in the league, Alice Sullivan worked tirelessly to provide athletic opportunities for girls in Rhode Island right up until her death in November 2003 at the age of 78.

Upon her death, a foundation and scholarship were created in Sullivan’s name to support young women who plan to join the ranks of women coaches, referees and physical education teachers across the state, thus ensuring that her legacy lives on.

Journal photo/Bob Breidenbach
Donielle Mattoon, left

Chosen from a pool of 100 applicants, Donielle Mattoon of Coventry and Tara McCarthy of Bristol have been selected by the Alice Sullivan Scholarship Committee as this year’s scholarship recipients for their outstanding leadership, as well as academic and athletic accomplishments.

A three-sport star at Coventry High School, Mattoon played soccer, softball and basketball for the Oakers, scoring the game-winning goal in the 2006 Division II Girls Soccer Championship.

Beginning this fall, she plans to pursue a career in coaching or athletic administration.

Courtesy of Springfield College
Tara McCarthy

A two-time All-State basketball player, McCarthy was a member of three Division I state champion teams at La Salle Academy, where she also played lacrosse.

Hoping to teach and one day coach girls high school basketball, she just finished up her junior year at Springfield College, where she is majoring in physical education with a minor in health.

Alice Sullivan Scholarship Committee chairperson and RIIL Fast-pitch Director Betty Marquis presented Mattoon and McCarthy with their $500 scholarship awards prior to the Division I fast-pitch championship, June 10 at Rhode Island College's Dayna A. Bazar Memorial Field.