Geraldine Lacney’s career was dedicated to helping young people succeed.
Lacney, who passed away on December 23, 2025, was a graduate of Limestone High School and a multi-sport collegiate athlete. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Findlay in Ohio, where she competed in basketball, volleyball and softball.
She later earned a master’s degree from SUNY Fredonia and went on to build a career in education, teaching remedial reading and math. She also served as a physical education instructor at Limestone High School and later Allegany-Limestone Central School. Post-retirement, she continued coaching at Bradford Area High School.
Her accomplishments extended well beyond the classroom. Lacney was inducted into the sports halls of fame at Allegany-Limestone, the University of Findlay and the Cattaraugus County Sports Hall of Fame. She also played briefly for the Arkansas Lassies professional basketball team in the 1970s and competed on amateur softball teams. She was also a longtime runner and became the first woman to run in the Kane, Pa., marathon.
Lacney was described as a compassionate mentor and someone who supported students and athletes both on and off the court. The new Geraldine Lacney Memorial Scholarship Fund will carry that legacy forward by supporting students who demonstrate the same determination and commitment to their goals.
The fund will support annual scholarship awards for applicants from any Cattaraugus County high school. The scholarship will provide special preference for applicants who worked particularly hard through their high school career. Additional preference may be given to graduating seniors of Allegany-Limestone and students who may plan to pursue a degree or career in physical education, education, English or math. Applicants who plan to attend a 2- or 4-year institution, trade or vocational school programs will be considered eligible.
In honor of her many contributions to local athletics, the Allegany-Limestone Lady Gators volleyball game on October 1 is dedicated to Lacney. All proceeds from the merchandise sales, raffles and bake sales will go towards the scholarship fund.
An Allegany-Limestone athletics merchandise store featuring designs honoring and remembering Lacney has been established through Studio 4 East. The store can be accessed at alvballcoachlacney.itemorder.com/shop.home/
Donations can be made to the Geraldine Lacney Memorial Scholarship Fund at CRCF, 301 North Union St., Suite 203, or online at cattfoundation.org.
The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation is the area’s supportive, responsive and trusted community foundation. Established in 1994, CRCF is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in the region. Grants from the foundation support many areas, including education, scholarships, health care, the arts, community development, human service, and youth development. To learn more, call (716) 301-CRCF (2723), email [email protected], or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).
