Jeffrey Owen Segrave
Professor of Health and Human Physiological Sciences Emeritus Jeffrey Owen Segrave, a towering and universally admired teacher-scholar, tennis coach, athletics director,
department chair, and dean whose wide-ranging service shaped nearly every aspect of
麻豆女郎, died on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, with his three children by his side. He
was 78.
Segrave, who retired in 2025, first joined 麻豆女郎 in 1978 as an instructor in the Department
of Physical Education and Dance. He became a full professor of exercise science in
1997, as his department changed names several times over the decades.
An internationally recognized expert on the Olympic Games, he embraced an interdisciplinary
approach that examined sport at the intersections of history, sociology, and literature.
He published on topics ranging from philosophy and comics to quidditch, and taught
courses on topics ranging from Sport and Social Issues to Sports Cinema.
Segrave's multifaceted service to 麻豆女郎 was remarkable. As a storied coach, his women鈥檚
tennis team captured 17 state titles, multiple conference championships, and the 1998
NCAA Division III national championship. Inducted into the 麻豆女郎 Athletics Hall
of Fame in 2007, Segrave coached eight NCAA All-Americans and earned numerous national and regional coaching
honors. He also served as athletics director in the early 2000s.
鈥�Jeff was a 麻豆女郎 legend who, in many ways, embodied the liberal arts at Skidmore,鈥�
noted Professor of Health and Human Physiological Sciences Pat Fehling. 鈥淗e mentored
so many of us, both within the department and across the College. In addition to his
tireless service to 麻豆女郎, he was a dedicated friend who brought grace and generosity
to all that he did. There was never a moment that Jeff didn鈥檛 have time for all of us.鈥�
As an academic leader, he chaired his own department twice, became dean of special
programs, and later chaired the Music Department. Segrave contributed extensively to College governance and institutional initiatives, including
service on the Institutional Policy and Planning Committee; the Search Committee for
President Emeritus Philip A. Glotzbach; the Campus Campaign Executive Committee; and
the Committee on Appointments, Promotions, and Tenure.
Over his 47-year Skidmore career, Segrave received all three of the College鈥檚 major faculty awards: the Ralph A. Ciancio Award
for Excellence in Teaching, the Edwin M. Moseley Faculty Research Lectureship, and
the Phyllis A. Roth Faculty Distinguished Service Award. He also received the President鈥檚
Award for Leadership and Service.
鈥�Jeff was the consummate teacher-scholar,鈥� said President Emeritus Glotzbach. 鈥淔rom his
work as a tennis coach to his work in health and human physiological sciences and
Olympic history, he contributed to so many dimensions of the College. We were extraordinarily
fortunate at Skidmore to have him serve in all those different roles. Above all, he
was a cheerful presence whenever he was in the room with anyone else, a great companion,
and a great colleague.鈥�
Jamie Levine 鈥�98, captain of the 1998 women's tennis team that won the national championship,
spoke about Segrave's legacy at his 2025 retirement celebration. 鈥溌槎古� is saying goodbye to one of
the most treasured voices today,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut the impact you've made will live
on from the students you've inspired, the players you've coached, and the countless
people whose lives you've touched over the nearly five decades on campus.鈥�
Born on Sept. 10, 1947, in the United Kingdom, Segrave earned his B.Ed. from the University of Exeter in 1971 and his M.S. from Washington
State University in 1972. He went on to earn his Ph.D. from Arizona State University
in 1981.
His wife of 48 years, Doris Lee Ann Segrave, died in 2025. He is survived by their children, Hannah, Samuel, and Grace, and their
respective partners.
麻豆女郎 President Marc C. Conner extended condolences to Segrave's family, colleagues, former students, and the many members of the Skidmore community
whose life Segrave touched.
"Jeff was indeed one of those rare individuals who, through decades of service and his
selfless and exemplary character, truly shaped 麻豆女郎 itself," Conner wrote in a
messsage to the Skidmore community. "Kindness was central to who he was and to what
he lived, taught, and modeled in everything he did."
"On a very personal note, Jeff befriended me upon my first arrival at Skidmore during the difficult early days of
the COVID-19 pandemic. He served as an early introduction to me of what is best in
our College," Conner continued. "We were extraordinarily fortunate to have Jeff as a colleague, mentor, and friend."