When Melanie McNulty was a female athlete in the 1960’s, before passage of Title XI, there were no leagues, tournaments, or state championships for girls in any high school sport. Aside form activities in music, theatre, newspaper, yearbook, Y-teens and a folk-singing club, Melanie participated in every sport available to her, including basketball, volleyball, field hockey, softball and track. She also found time to be a board member, vice president, and president of the Girls Athletic Association.

Melanie went on to major in physical education and participate at the college level in three varsity sports a year during each of her four years at Ohio University. These sports included swimming, diving, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse and softball.

After graduation from college, and after passage of Title XI, she was able to compete as a coach in basketball, volleyball, track and field, swimming and diving. Her teams successfully competed in, and won, a league, sectional, district and regional championships, and participated in a State of Ohio Final Four game. This versatile leader also coached on the international level at the World Games for the Deaf. From 1985-1996, Melanie was named CHL (Cincinnati Hills League) Coach of the Year, and an A.P. "AA" Southwest Ohio Coach of the Year. She has also served her community as Recreational Director for Springfield Township. Her leadership and inspiration has influenced many young female athletes to develop their athletic talents and compete in ways she was unable to at their age.