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Serving as both an educator and coach, Becky Sisley made great contributions to women's athletics at the University of Oregon. She helped push for greater equality and involvement for women athletes and coaches which led to the expansion of women's varsity sports. Born May 10th, 1939 in Seattle Washington, Sisley would stay in Seattle up until her college years, earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Washington. Sisley then continued her studies in physical education, earning her masters and doctorate at University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG).

After working as a PE teacher at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland in 1961 and after spending two years working as a physical education instructor at University of Wisconsin, Sisley started working at the University of Oregon. In 1965 she began her career at the University of Oregon as an instructor and coach, coaching softball, basketball and eventually field hockey. In 1973 Sisley would make history, becoming University of Oregon's first, and only, Women's Athletic Director. Through her role as Women's Athletic Director from '73 to '79, Sisley pushed for change and progress in the UO Women's Athletic Department. After the passing of Title IX in 1972, Sisley worked to ensure compliance and gender equity in University of Oregon athletics. She advocated for better funding and facilities for women sports as well as equal pay for women coaches. During her time as athletic director, Sisley hired University of Oregon’s the first full time women's coaches, helped push through the first co-ed track meet in 1977 and played a role in securing athletic scholarships for women. Her hard work paid off as she fought for changes in the athletic department. During her 6 years as athletic director, the budget for women’s sports grew from $40,000 to $424,000.

Sisley not only advocated for equality between women's and men's sports at the University of Oregon, she also advocated for equality nationally, taking part in a number of Women's Sports Organizations. Sisley held a leadership role in organizations such as the Women's Recreation Association (WRA), the Division for Girls and Women's sports (DGWSN) and the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW). Additionally Sisley served as the president of NCWSA (Northwest College Women's Sports Association) from 1977-1978 as well as organized OWSLN (Oregon Women's Sports Leadership Network). Sisley's commitment to gender equality as well as her passion for athletics led her to push for equal opportunity for women athletes as well as coaches. Thus, Sisley organize mentorship programs and trainings for women coaches to advance their positions and become athletic directors.

Apart from her role as a leader and mentor in the athletic community, Sisley also wrote a number of articles in various journals concerning women athletics and coaching. Her studies focused on coaching techniques, coaching conflicts and gender inequality in the career of sport. Additionally, she conducted and published a in depth survey on Oregon coaches and their background in order to understand the skills or lack of skills that Oregon coaches held and the changes that could be made through trainings and clinics to improve their work.

As a professor, Sisley taught courses in the physical education department and the movement studies department. She taught courses such as Women's Sports and Gender Equity, Athletic Competition for Women, and Athletic Coaching for Girls and Women in Sport. Much of her course material focused on Title IX and the following compliance and continuing inequality in women’s athletics across the country.

Becky Sisley's role at the University of Oregon, as well as her continued involvement in the sports department today, has made a huge contribution to the development of women's athletics at the University. For this reason, in 1998 Sisley's name was added to the university's hall of fame and in 2000 a scholarship award was created in her name for female athletes, recognizing professional achievement, community service and support to the University of Oregon.

Sisley retired from her career in 90s. In 2000, she returned as a professor Emeritus to continue her involvement in women's athletics at the University of Oregon.