Hall of Fame
Melissa “Missy” West, a graduate of Franklin Academy (Section X) and Duke University, remains one of the most accomplished basketball and softball players in New York State history and was named Miss Basketball for New York State in 1995-96. While competing at Franklin Academy, Missy scored 2,605 points for the basketball team while leading her team to the NYSPHSAA State Final Four. She was even more accomplished as a softball player. During her four seasons, Missy had 15 career no hitters and 2 perfect games. She was named Class B Player of the Year in 1995 and 1996, a USA Today Honorable Mention All-American, and a National Softball Coaches Association Louisville Slugger All-American her junior season. Missy has been elected into the Franklin Academy/St. Joseph’s Academy Athletic Hall of Fame and the NYS Softball Sportswriters Hall of Fame. After high school, she attended Duke University on scholarship to play basketball, and led her team to 5 NCAA appearances, including the National Championship game in 1999 against Purdue University. She continued her career playing professionally in Germany where she won a German National Championship. She spent several years in college coaching before starting a career as a motivational speaker.