Jennifer Ratka was one of Medaille's true pioneer student-athletes competing in Women's Volleyball, Women's Basketball, and Softball in the Mavericks first year of competition in 1996-97. She was the only student-athlete to play all three women's sports available, helping pave the way for so many other Medaille female student-athletes to play multiple sports.
The following year (1997-98) she also played one season of Women's Soccer and Field Hockey as they were in their inaugural seasons. She was a four year member of the Women's Volleyball team, Women's Basketball team and Softball team.
She played during a time of start and transition for Medaille, as the Mavericks competed in the National Small College Athletic Association (NSCAA) which was a predecessor to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). During her senior year the Mavericks would become provisional members of the NCAA; but wouldn't become full members until the 2002-2003 school year.
In 1998-99, when Medaille held their first ever end of the year awards banquet, Jennifer was named the Most Valuable Player of the Women's Basketball team. She was also named to the NSCAA All-American Team that year.
One year later, as a senior, she was given the Academic Excellence Award for the Women's Basketball team, despite missing the season with an injury.
As a basketball player she was a four-year captain and is currently ranked fifth all-time in scoring average with (14.3) points per game and second all-time with a (.522) field goal percentage. She also ranks ninth all-time in rebounds with (602) despite only playing three full season due to injury as she is second all-time in rebounds per game with (14.0).
She also holds an NSCAA single-game all-time record with (44) rebounds in a game and finished her junior year ranked first nationally in rebounds and second in scoring.
"Thank you so much for this honor," Ratka said. "I know many great athletes have gone through the program so I feel honored. When I was notified that I was chosen to be part of the 2020 Hall of Fame Class I was honored. Medaille was such a big part of my life and helped me get where I am today. I was privileged to be part of the first group of women athletes at Medaille. We overcame many hurdles and I am so proud of where the athletic program is today. I remember our first basketball win of the women's program and how excited the Medaille community was with the success. The people that I met and coached me through my years at Medaille taught me so much and I am grateful for everyone that guided me."
