We are pleased to announce the 2021 inductees to the Miss Porter’s School Athletic Hall of Fame! The Miss Porter’s School Athletics Hall of Fame acknowledges the contributions that students, Ancients, and coaches have made to the world of athletics.

The 2021 inductees are Dorothea “Dotty” Morrell Coleman ’26 (to be posthumously awarded) and Mercedese “Ellie” Large ’81. We look forward to honoring these incredible athletes in the spring. Congratulations! Read more about this year’s inductees below.

Dotty Morrell Coleman ’26 was an avid sports woman excelling in tennis, skiing, fishing, and sailing. Growing up during a time when there were few opportunities for women and girls in sports, Dotty once competed in an ice hockey competition disguised as a boy, even scoring the winning goal before being discovered as a girl, and later concentrated on sharing her love of sports with family and friends. 

While at Miss Porter’s School, Dotty established the Minks and Possums competition (Squirrels were added later). Every year the Dotty Morrell Coleman Award for Special Achievement in Athletics is given in honor of Dotty who loved all forms of athletics and captained several teams to a senior who most typifies Dotty’s winning spirit.

Ellie Large ’81 was a standout athlete at Tufts University, competing on the soccer team, the squash team, the track and field team, and the lacrosse team. In 1985 she captained and led the women’s lacrosse team to an undefeated season resulting in the team’s induction into the Tufts Hall of Fame in 2019. Throughout her life, Ellie has personified strength amidst adversity, overcoming injury and personal tragedy with grace, and continues to share her joy of athletics with others. 

Ellie is an accomplished amateur golfer who consistently ranks high on the women’s masters circuit in New England. Most recently Ellie took time to teach ski lessons at Ski Sundown during the pandemic.