Alison Brown was truly a pioneer at Wauwatosa East. Before 1971, the only sports women could compete in were intramurals. Following Title IX, women finally were able to compete against other schools in volleyball, basketball, track, and tennis. Brown had exceptional speed, a quiet determination, and was a born leader. She earned two letters each in volleyball, basketball, and track. Her leadership skills served her well as she was elected captain of the volleyball and track teams. In basketball, she led Wauwatosa East to 2nd place in the Suburban Conference. In volleyball, her hustle and inspiring play was the catalyst for an undefeated season and the 1972 Suburban Conference championship. Brown was a sprinter and long jumper on the track team. In her junior and senior year, she ran the anchor leg on an 880 yard relay team that was undefeated in winning the Suburban Conference meet both years. They qualified for the state meet both years by winning the Regional and Sectional meets. In 1972, they came in 1st to become Tosa East’s 1st female state champions in a record setting performance. 1973 was a repeat performance as they once again were 880 yard relay state champions and once again set a new state record as they led Tosa East to a 3rd place finish in the state meet. Individually, Alison was a qualifier for the 1972 state meet in the long jump. For her leadership, the way she represented herself and Tosa East, and for her performance in competition, Alison Brown was the recipient of Tosa East’s first Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year award in 1972.
