Linda Spencer (B.S. ’75, M.Ed. ’81), who made history as Howard University’s first volleyball coach and built the foundation for one of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s (MEAC) most successful programs, passed away on June 8. 

Spencer, who led the Bison from 1986 to 2005, transformed Howard Volleyball into a championship contender, amassing 300 career victories and 117 conference wins — the most by any coach in Howard Athletics history. During her tenure, she guided the program to five MEAC Tournament championships, four regular season conference titles and its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1994. 

“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of Linda Spencer, a true Bison legend whose impact on Howard University Athletics and generations of student-athletes will be felt for years to come,” said Howard University Interim President and President Emeritus Wayne A. I. Frederick (B.S. ’92, M.D. ’94, MBA ’11), FACS in a letter to the campus community. “Coach Spencer’s greatest legacy cannot be measured by victories alone. She was a mentor, teacher, and role model who challenged young people to excel not only in competition but in the classroom and in life. Her influence strengthened the very foundation of our university, and her example will continue to inspire future generations.” 

Before becoming the architect of Howard Volleyball, Spencer was already making history as a student-athlete. She was a member of Howard’s first women’s basketball team during the 1973-74 academic year, helping pave the way for women’s athletics at the university. She later returned to her alma mater to launch the volleyball program, where she built a culture of excellence that would define generations of Bison athletes. 

Her accomplishments earned her five MEAC Most Outstanding Coach honors and culminated in her induction into the Howard University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014 and recognition as a MEAC Legend in 2021. 

For Howard Vice President of Athletics Kery Davis, Spencer’s influence reached far beyond the scoreboard. 

“Coach Spencer didn’t just build a winning volleyball program — she built leaders,” Davis said. “Her commitment to excellence, her passion for developing young women and her unwavering belief in the power of education established a standard that continues to shape Howard Athletics today. We owe so much of our success and tradition to the foundation she created.” 

Howard’s current head volleyball coach Shaun Kupferberg said Spencer’s legacy continues to resonate throughout the program she founded. 

“Every day our student-athletes step into the gym, they benefit from the standard Coach Spencer established,” Kupferberg said. “She built a culture rooted in excellence, resilience, and pride in representing Howard University. Her influence extends far beyond the record book and is reflected in the expectations we set, the traditions we honor and the commitment to developing young women into champions in every aspect of life. She was a giant in this game and we stand on her shoulders.  We will continue to honor her legacy by striving for the same level of excellence she demanded.” 

Former student-athletes remember Spencer as a coach who demanded excellence while creating an environment where they could thrive. Adrienne Lofton (BBA, ‘99) played under Spencer and said the coach’s impact continues to shape her life years after graduation. 

“Coach Spencer gave me an opportunity that changed my life because of the relationships I made and experiences I had through Howard Volleyball,” Lofton said. “She pushed us to be disciplined and accountable, while persevering through challenges. But she also cared deeply about who we would become beyond volleyball. She made us believe we could accomplish anything, and that confidence has stayed with me throughout my career. I’ll always be grateful for the chance she gave me and the legacy she leaves behind.” 

Although Spencer’s coaching résumé is filled with championships and accolades, colleagues and former players alike say her greatest contribution was the countless lives she influenced through mentorship and service. 

Her commitment to academic achievement, personal growth, and competitive excellence helped produce graduates who carried the lessons learned at Howard into leadership roles across industries and communities. 

Spencer’s life and career also reflected the broader evolution of women’s athletics at Howard. As both a pioneering student-athlete and the university’s first volleyball coach, she helped expand opportunities for women while establishing a program that became synonymous with championship success. 

“Coach Spencer’s impact on Howard University remains visible today, from the [championship] banners hanging in Burr Gymnasium to the values embraced by current student-athletes who play for a program she built from scratch,” Davis said. “Her unwavering dedication transformed a fledgling program into a championship tradition that continues to elevate Howard University Athletics.”