PUEBLO, Colo. (Feb. 23, 2026) - Jessie Banks, the individual recognized as the most influential person in the creation of women's athletics at Colorado State University Pueblo (initially known as Southern Colorado State College and the University of Southern Colorado), passed away on Friday. She was 90 years old. CSU PUEBLO WEB ARTICLE
A Pueblo resident for over 60 years, Banks had emergency surgery on February 1 for an upper intestinal blockage, according to CSU Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame Ann DeBoe in a Facebook post. Although the procedure went well, DeBoe said Banks never fully recovered and passed away peacefully at home early in the morning hours on February 20.
"Jessie's impact on CSU Pueblo Athletics cannot be overstated," said Dr. Paul Plinske, CSU Pueblo's Vice President for Athletics and Strategic Partnerships. "She was a pioneer in women's athletics and helped build opportunities for generations of student-athletes. Across decades of service, mentorship, and advocacy, Jessie left a lasting mark on nearly every sport within our department and on countless student-athletes, coaches, and colleagues."
Dr. Plinske added that Banks' "legacy is reflected in her remarkable recognition as a six-time Hall of Fame inductee individually and another four as a team member. These honors speak not only to her competitive success but also to her lifelong commitment to advancing athletics and empowering others. This is difficult news for our Pack family. Many of you knew Jessie personally, worked alongside her, or were directly influenced by her leadership and passion for CSU Pueblo."
Banks joined the staff at SCSC in 1966 after being interviewed for the position when she was working on her master's degree at then-Adams State College in Alamosa. She was the first coach in women's basketball and volleyball. She was also the softball and track and field coach and served as an Assistant Athletic Director.
"Jessie was a fierce advocate for women's athletics the first day she arrived on campus," said Tim Simmons, who served as the school's first sports information director and is the son of Harry Simmons, SCSC's athletic director when Banks was hired.
"My father had a great appreciation for Jessie due to her competitive nature, especially when advocating for women's sports. They did not always agree on the path forward, but due to their respect for each other, they worked through the difficult times during the creation of women's athletics in Pueblo, in the Rocky Mountain region, and nationally."
In addition to her coaching and teaching duties upon joining the SCSC staff, Banks played an instrumental role in developing the Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (CIAW, founded in 1967) and the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics 
for Women (AIAW, founded in 1971).
Inducted with Harry Simmons in 2008 as the first two members of the CSU Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame, Banks led the volleyball team to Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference divisional titles in 1979 and 1980 and was the 1979 coach of the year in just the second season of that sport being recognized by the league.
In women's basketball, her 1979 and 1980 squads won the RMAC East Division titles. Banks used her influence to help USC land the first-ever AIAW small college national basketball tournament in March 1975 at Massari Arena, when her team also participated.
A professional basketball player for the All-American Redheads between 1954 and 1959, Banks was an enshrined member of the team into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., in 2012. She and her Redheads have been enshrined in HOFs in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma
In addition to her induction into the CSU Pueblo HOF, Banks has been enshrined in the Lindsay (Okla.) High School, the University of Central Oklahoma, Colorado Coaches of Girls' Sports, the RMAC, and the Greater Pueblo Sports Hall of Fame.
Born August 20, 1935, in Lindsay, Banks earned an undergraduate degree from Central Oklahoma in Edmond and his master's degree from Adams State in 1966. She coached at USC through the 1985 season and retired as a physical education professor in 1996. CSU Pueblo's annual women's athlete of the year award is in Banks' name, and the school presents an endowed scholarship in her name annually.
Banks was a multi-sport athlete at Central Oklahoma and coached the girls' basketball team at McGuinness High School in Oklahoma City for two years while still attending UCO.
Dr.. Plinske, who has been at CSU Pueblo since 2018, added, "We extend our deepest condolences to Jessie's family, friends, and all who were fortunate to know her. We will share information soon regarding opportunities for our community to honor and celebrate her remarkable life."
Ann DeBoe, CSU Pueblo Athletics Hall of Famer – "Coach Banks was a pioneer for women's sports in every way. Growing up in a time when women were not allowed to participate in sports, she played a variety of games, primarily her beloved basketball, alongside boys' teams. Coach Banks tirelessly advocated for women's sports, attending city council meetings and other political venues to lobby for opportunities for women to participate. Along with many other passionate athletes and coaches across the country, she helped pave the way for women not only in basketball but in all sports. Many of you reading this played for her and can remember the sprints, the stairs, running in the prairie with tarantulas, weightlifting sets, and the extra sprints for every missed lay-up. We all recall her vocal displeasure with officials' calls and the van rides to compete in RMAC games in New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Kansas, Wyoming, Nebraska, Arizona, Texas, and throughout Colorado. Ultimately, she taught us all about perseverance, commitment, and teamwork, and her love for the game was never in doubt. Coach Banks and I remained close throughout the years. After losing both of my parents shortly after college, Jessie became a surrogate parental figure for me. We had many conversations about creating strong foundations for all, especially for women, through athletics, focusing on leadership, self-esteem, and confidence to help them thrive. I will always admire her courage in facing adversity and in advocating for women's rights. Rest in peace, my friend. Your dedication, sacrifices, and hard work have paved the way for so many girls and women. You will be greatly missed."
Jenna McKinley-Fall, Associate Athletic Director, CSU Pueblo – "As a student-athlete at CSU Pueblo, I had the privilege of knowing Jessie and the impact that she had as a part of the CSU Pueblo Athletic Department and the Pueblo Community. Over the past few years, she became so much more: a mentor, a trusted voice, and someone I deeply admired. I will miss our lunch talks where she would share stories with me from her life experiences and all the great times she had as a remarkable athlete, but then also how she had to put chains on her car to get over a pass during the wintertime when they were coming back from a game in the RMAC. In a short time, she made a lasting impact on my life, and I will always be grateful for the guidance, wisdom, and example she shared."
Lauren Leomiti, CSU Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame – "Jessie was one of the most incredible women I have ever met or will ever meet. We met in my senior year of high school, and I continued getting to know her and became friends with her throughout my college career. Her generosity and commitment to women's sports were beyond inspiration. Her efforts with Title IX helped pave the way for women to play, and year after year, she provided scholarships so they could compete. I was blessed to have received her scholarships, to work with her when she volunteered at Sangre, to serve on committees with her, and to watch many sporting events with her. An amazing woman with an amazing heart!"
Daniel Minich, Alumni Director, CSU Pueblo – "I first met Jessie when I was 13, and we were volunteers for Sangre De Cristo hospice. I would go in on Fridays since we didn't have school, and she would be in Deede's office, filing or something similar. She was always so kind and sassy. Fast forward 10 years: working at the foundation, Jessie was a major advocate for Pack athletics and a pioneer for women in athletics, and I always got a hug from her. She was still just as kind and sassy as I remembered her being. Her legacy will live on through women in sports, and her passion for games will be dearly missed. Thank you for being a friend for the last 14 years!"
Martha Simmons, 80for80 Fund creator – "Jessie was such a good friend to Harry and the entire Simmons family! She was totally committed to the college and its women's basketball program! There will never be another program fan like her! Rest In Basketball Peace, Dear Friend!"
