A two-sport All-American, Merle ‘Mike’ Werley dominated the competition in both women’s lacrosse and field hockey during her college career at West Chester University. The Golden Rams’ lacrosse and field hockey teams posted a combined record of 31-4-7 (.821) during her playing days. She was named all-college in lacrosse in both 1971 and again in 1972 while earning the same distinction in field hockey in 1971. Werle served as team captain for both squads during her senior season and was selected to the Philadelphia district team, which competed at the USFHA national tournament in both 1970 and 1971.

Upon graduation, Werley spent eight years with the U.S. national women’s lacrosse team from 1972 to 1979, before giving up her playing duties to take assist in coaching the 1980 squad in a series versus England. She was inducted into the Pennsylvania State Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Chapter in 1999 and the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2003. Including the West Chester University Athletics Hall of Fame, Werley has earned membership into six halls of fame. For the past 33 years, Werley has taught physical education at Conestoga High School and was recently inducted into its hall of fame in 2008. She coached both women’s lacrosse and field hockey and served as an USWLA clinician. She is also the proud recipient of the Springfield Outstanding Achievement Award.