Temple University Athletics
Dr. Nikki Franke Named Recipient of the 2026 Pat Summitt Award
11.5.25 | Women's Fencing
INDIANAPOLIS – Dr. Nikki Franke's journey through sport, education, and advocacy has inspired generations of athletes and continues to shape the legacy of Temple University. For Franke, it's not the titles or trophies that define her career but the people she has guided and the pathways she has helped pave for women of color in athletics.
Over her remarkable 50-year tenure leading Temple's fencing program, Dr. Franke built one of the nation's most respected collegiate teams while serving as a mentor and educator. Her influence extends beyond the fencing strip, earning recognition across the athletic and academic worlds for her excellence as an athlete, coach, and advocate for equity in sport.
Dr. Franke has been named a recipient of the 2026 Pat Summitt Award, which recognizes an individual within the NCAA membership who has demonstrated devotion to the development of college athletes and made a positive impact on their lives.
Named after the legendary Tennessee women's basketball head coach who amassed 1,098 wins and eight NCAA championships, the award honors Summitt's lasting contributions to sports and her commitment to student-athlete success both on and off the court.
"Receiving this award is an amazing honor," Franke shared. "What I was able to accomplish at Temple was because of the wonderful, hardworking young ladies I had the pleasure of coaching and the unwavering support I received from my family and the Temple University athletic department."
A proud Temple alumna, Franke earned her master's degree in health education in 1975 and completed her doctorate in 1988 before joining the Department of Public Health as an associate professor.
Her career is decorated with numerous honors, including induction into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 by the Women's Sports Foundation, the Temple University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995, and the United States Fencing Association Hall of Fame in 1998. Each recognition reflects her lifelong devotion to advancing both the sport and the opportunities within it.
On the strip, Franke's teams consistently showcased excellence. Under her direction, the Owls captured the 1991–92 NCAA Women's Foil Championship, posted a program-best .955 winning percentage in 1993–94, and became perennial NCAA contenders since first qualifying in 1976. The United States Fencing Coaches Association named Franke Women's Fencing Coach of the Year four times — in 1983, 1987, 1988, and 1991.
A native of New York, Franke's own athletic achievements speak volumes. A Brooklyn College graduate and four-year letter winner, she was an NIWFA All-American and finished third at the 1972 NIWFA National Championships. She represented the United States on the Olympic teams in 1976 and 1980, captured national foil titles in 1975 and 1980, and earned multiple podium finishes at major competitions throughout the 1970s.
Beyond competition, Dr. Franke's impact continues through her work as a co-founder of the Black Women in Sport Foundation alongside Tina Sloan Green, Alpha Alexander, and Linda Greene. Based in Philadelphia, the foundation fosters leadership and participation for Black women and girls in all areas of sport.
Dr. Nikki Franke's name is synonymous with perseverance and empowerment. Her story remains a model of how sport can shape lives and open doors for others who follow in her footsteps.
Over her remarkable 50-year tenure leading Temple's fencing program, Dr. Franke built one of the nation's most respected collegiate teams while serving as a mentor and educator. Her influence extends beyond the fencing strip, earning recognition across the athletic and academic worlds for her excellence as an athlete, coach, and advocate for equity in sport.
Dr. Franke has been named a recipient of the 2026 Pat Summitt Award, which recognizes an individual within the NCAA membership who has demonstrated devotion to the development of college athletes and made a positive impact on their lives.
Named after the legendary Tennessee women's basketball head coach who amassed 1,098 wins and eight NCAA championships, the award honors Summitt's lasting contributions to sports and her commitment to student-athlete success both on and off the court.
"Receiving this award is an amazing honor," Franke shared. "What I was able to accomplish at Temple was because of the wonderful, hardworking young ladies I had the pleasure of coaching and the unwavering support I received from my family and the Temple University athletic department."
A proud Temple alumna, Franke earned her master's degree in health education in 1975 and completed her doctorate in 1988 before joining the Department of Public Health as an associate professor.
Her career is decorated with numerous honors, including induction into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 by the Women's Sports Foundation, the Temple University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995, and the United States Fencing Association Hall of Fame in 1998. Each recognition reflects her lifelong devotion to advancing both the sport and the opportunities within it.
On the strip, Franke's teams consistently showcased excellence. Under her direction, the Owls captured the 1991–92 NCAA Women's Foil Championship, posted a program-best .955 winning percentage in 1993–94, and became perennial NCAA contenders since first qualifying in 1976. The United States Fencing Coaches Association named Franke Women's Fencing Coach of the Year four times — in 1983, 1987, 1988, and 1991.
A native of New York, Franke's own athletic achievements speak volumes. A Brooklyn College graduate and four-year letter winner, she was an NIWFA All-American and finished third at the 1972 NIWFA National Championships. She represented the United States on the Olympic teams in 1976 and 1980, captured national foil titles in 1975 and 1980, and earned multiple podium finishes at major competitions throughout the 1970s.
Beyond competition, Dr. Franke's impact continues through her work as a co-founder of the Black Women in Sport Foundation alongside Tina Sloan Green, Alpha Alexander, and Linda Greene. Based in Philadelphia, the foundation fosters leadership and participation for Black women and girls in all areas of sport.
Dr. Nikki Franke's name is synonymous with perseverance and empowerment. Her story remains a model of how sport can shape lives and open doors for others who follow in her footsteps.
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