(Born November 23, 1957) Carol Menken from Jefferson, Oregon arrived at Oregon State University with six-foot, five-inch size and athletic skill, but with limited coaching. It was the earliest days of Title IX and girls high school teams were just becoming established. 
She started her college career with Linn-Benton Community College’s first women’s team. Carol caught the eye of OSU coach Aki Hill, who provided a partial scholarship and taught the fundamentals. Menken was an exceptional big, strong on the block with a nice shooting touch. A star was born.
The relatively new Beaver program qualified for AIAW nationals in 1979 and 1981, Menken’s senior year. That season, Carol shot an astounding 75% from the floor, averaged 29.6 points per game and became OSU’s first All-American. She was selected team MVP in 1979 and 1980. Her junior year, Menken scored a school-record 51 points in a game vs Alaska-Anchorage and was named All-Conference three times.
Her statistics are all over the OSU record book. Free throws made (333), free throws attempted (551), field goals made (955). Field goal percentage (.692), rebounds (901), career scoring average (27.7), and total points (2243).
Carol was introduced to Team USA, playing in two World University Games, winning gold and silver. With no US professional league, she played overseas to keep her game fresh, taking 1982 off to marry Ken Schaudt.
She made the Olympic team in 1984 which brought home two gold medals, one from the pre-Olympic Jones Cup and one from, of course, the Los Angeles Games.
After the Olympics came graduation and three more seasons overseas. Carol returned to life in media in Corvallis where she actively supports OSU athletics. Carol Menken-Shaudt is a member of the Oregon State Hall of Fame and the Pac-12 Hall of Honor.
