The Official Website Of Connecticut College Athletics

Judy Fontaine-Higgins '79 was an accomplished athlete in track and field who has committed her life to educating others.

Fontaine-Higgins competed both nationally and internationally as a sprinter, jumper and pentathlete from 1972-1980. During the height of the Cold War Era from 1976-1980, Fontaine-Higgins competed internationally for the United States against the former U.S.S.R, Poland, Germany and France.

In 1977, Fontaine-Higgins and the U.S. competed against the former Soviet Union. Fontaine-Higgins scored 4213 points in the pentathlon t win the silver medal in 1978. In 1979, Fontaine-Higgins was a member of the U.S. Sports Festival East Team.

During her prolific athletic career, Fontaine-Higgins posted personal records of 6.81 seconds in the 55 meter dash, 11.85 seconds in the 100 meter dash, 24.8 seconds in the 200 meter dash, 38.50 seconds in the 300 meter dash, 55.7 seconds in the 400 meter dash, 1:11.5 in the 500 meter dash, 2:12.20 in the 800 meter run, 5:11 in the one-mile run, 8.1 seconds in the 60 meter hurdles, 14.6 seconds in the 100 meter hurdles.

Fontaine-Higgins covered a distance of 19 feet, 10 and one half of an inch in the long jump, 43 feet 10 inches in the shot put and scored a personal high of 4,213 points in the pentathlon. In cross country and in road races, Fontaine-Higgins posted personal record setting times of 18:02 in the 5k and 35:41 in the 10k.

Fontaine-Higgins graduated from Connecticut College in 1979 with a degree in childhood development and a certification to teach elementary education. An accomplished scholar, Fontaine-Higgins graduated cum laude with distinction in her field of study. 

Fontaine-Higgins received her International Class B Coaching License from the Johannes Gutenberg University International Coaching Academy in Mainz, West Germany. In 1986, Fontaine-Higgins received her Master of Arts in Education from Rutgers University.

Since graduating, Fontaine-Higgins has coached track & field at the regional, national and international level. This includes stints as an assistant coach at the Coast Guard and Connecticut College. She has also served as an assistant coach at the U.S Olympic Committee Regional Training Camp (1981) as well as the U.S Sport Festival (1983).

Fontaine-Higgins has been teaching in Southeastern Connecticut since 1986. She is an elementary school teacher in the field of liberal arts and also volunteers her time as a service learning adviser to the Lisbon Connecticut Central School Students. Fontaine-Higgins continues to coach cross country and track & field at the school. She also trains athletes independently who wish to compete at a high level.

Fontaine-Higgins is married to Norm Higgins. The couple have served as foster parents and then adopted those children: Justin and Jackie.