Lisa Ferdinand ’86

A former heptathlete for Rice, Lisa Ferdinand ’86 was known for running, throwing and jumping high and far. Although injuries cut her athletic career short, she continued to make huge leaps forward — as a pioneering figure in the sport of athletics as a starter. This past summer, her journey reached new heights when she became the first woman to start the men’s 100-meter race at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

As a World Athletics International Starter, assigned to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Lisa commanded the starting pistol for all the sprint events, 400 meters and down, including all sprint hurdles and 4 x 100 meter relays. “It’s a lot of starts and the days are long, but working with the starters and these elite athletes is wonderful,” she shared. “My role involves supporting the local start team in the delivery of a major competition: from rules interpretation to succinct communication to their physical movements on the track during live broadcasts.”

Lisa described the atmosphere in Paris as electrifying. “The cheering from the crowd was so loud that I kept my ear plugs in most of the time, so I could hear myself think, but my focus remained on the athletes,” she said. “Our primary goal is to deliver a fair start, every race.”

Although she has served as an International Starter at world championships, including in Budapest last year, the Olympics hold a particular significance. "Starting the men’s 100-meter races as the first woman is a significant milestone for women," she reflected. “It’s an incredible honor. Eight months before the Olympics, I woke up to an email from World Athletics with an appointment letter; I just let out a squeal. I was over the moon. As a former athlete, going to the Olympics is the pinnacle of your career, and this appointment is right up there with representing your country.”

Lisa’s path to the World Athletics Starters Panel began in 1989 with her progression through Canada’s officials’ pathway. Balancing a full-time job as a geologist and three young children, she began traveling regionally after qualifying for the North America, Central America and the Caribbean (NACAC) Starters Panel in 2011. Her exemplary work at major international events led to her nomination and appointment to the World Athletics International Starters Panel in 2015; making her the first woman on this five person panel. “I was floored. It was unbelievable and surreal,” she said. “Being part of this panel has been an incredible experience and a significant step forward for women in officiating.”

Her background as an athlete profoundly shapes her approach to officiating. “I can empathize with the athletes,” Lisa said. “When I start a combined events 800-meters race, I find myself tearing up at times. I know exactly what the athletes are going through. It’s about having empathy and understanding what they are trying to achieve and putting that first.”

This empathetic approach is evident in how she conducts her starter duties. “However you address the athletes, that’s how they respond,” she said. “I make sure my voice is calm. I don’t rush them. I want them to trust me. I’m here to make sure the athletes have the best start.”

Lisa’s connection to Rice University, where she was recruited by Victor Lopez, Rice’s head coach for women’s track and field from 1979 to 2005, remains a cherished part of her life. Arriving at Rice as a young athlete from Canada, Lisa soon felt a strong sense of belonging. “It was more of a family,” she reminisced, recalling the warmth with which she and her fellow athletes were treated. “Victor was always kind, always looked after us and made us feel at home.”

This support extended beyond the track, she said, recalling dinners at Victor’s house and the close-knit campus community. “What I liked about Rice is that there wasn’t a distinction between student-athletes and the regular student body. I made a lot of lifelong friends who weren’t athletes, and I’m still in contact with them. Rice was always a place where you could come back to and feel at home.”

Lisa’s time at Rice was marked by both triumphs and trials. In 1984, she injured her knee while throwing the javelin, leading to two surgeries. After graduating and returning to Canada, Lisa continued competing in the heptathlon, but her knee injury led to an early retirement. Despite this, she continued to support her teammates and attend competitions. “One day, they needed someone to help the starter, and someone handed me a pistol — that was the end of it,” she said. “I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, this is so cool.’ It was happenstance. I was volunteering, and they needed help.”

Soon, Lisa found herself deeply immersed in the world of officiating, developing a passion that would carry her around the globe. “I was fortunate to learn from the best in Canada, and the people who took me under their wings were amazing,” she said. “I can go out on a track now and know when I have a good start. It’s ingrained in me; it’s a reflex. I love what I do. I’m here to make sure the athletes have the best start.”

Last year, Lisa was recognized among 40 women globally for their significant impact on the sport of athletics. As she nears retirement from her professional career, she’ll be shifting her focus to the next generation of starters. Reflecting, Lisa shared, "I’m excited to expand my mentoring efforts and support the development of starters around the world. I’m also hoping to resume officiating annually at the Rice Victor Lopez Classic."

Her dedication to athletics is not only a personal achievement but also a lasting legacy that will benefit the sport for years to come.