The second woman in Millersville women's athletics history to have her jersey number (36) retired,
Cherie Meiklejohn Spilis was one of the finest athletes ever to wear the Black and Gold.
Considered one of Millersville's all-time lacrosse greats, Meiklejohn Spilis enjoyed a superb four-year career as an attack wing from 1987 to 1990. She paced Coach Barbara Waltman's laxers to three consecutive PSAC championships (1988-90), and during those seasons, the 'Ville recorded the three highest win totals in its history--11-3 ('88), 13-1 ('89), and 12-2 ('90).
In PSAC regular season play, MU was 21-3 during Meiklejohn Spilis's career and posted a 44-11 overall record.
The Phoenixville, Pa. native, who possessed dazzling quickness and stickhandling skills, holds the MU career goal record (174) and is second all-time in points (217). In her junior season, she posted club marks in goals (67) and points (76).
A two-time PSAC Lacrosse Athlete of the Year selection (1989 & 1990), Spilis was also named twice to the Brine/IWLCA NCAA Divisions I-II All-American Team, and she was chosen to the 1990 USWLA/NCAA I-II All-American Team and also designated as Division II Most Valuable Player. She also became the first Marauder laxer to compete in the North-South All-Star Game (1990).
As a forward on the Marauder field hockey team for four seasons, Meiklejohn Spilis received all-regional and All-PSAC honors in her senior year. She posted 36 career goals and 81 points all-time, and she led the Marauder fielders in scoring for three consecutive seasons. Her most productive season was as a senior ('89) when she scored 12 goals.
Overall, Meiklejohn Spilis helped lead Coach Carol Miller's squads to a four-year record of 40-24-13.
In 1990, she received the 1990 Elwood J. Finley Award as Millersville's outstanding senior female athlete.
Today, Meiklejohn Spilis continues to play field hockey and lacrosse for the South Jersey Women's Association. Since her graduation, she has been employed as an elementary school teacher (fifth grade) in Pemberton Township, N.J.
