Clayton State University Athletics

Named after long-time Clayton State supporter and Board of Trustees member Lata Mahajan Chinnan, the Hall of Fame Wall proudly displays the members of the Clayton State Athletics Hall of Fame. Located in the Athletics Center, The Lata Mahajan Chinnan Hall of Fame Wall was unveiled on February 7, 2022. 
 

A native of Ludhiana, Punjab, India, Lata excelled in academics and athletics, primarily in the sport of field hockey. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Government College in Ludhiana and captained her team in 1968.  While playing in college, Lata was the lone science major on the team as all her teammates studied in arts.
 
After graduating, Chinnan turned down medical school to continue her field hockey passion. She enrolled at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana and earned a graduate degree in biochemistry. While at PAU, she captained her hockey team for two seasons.
 
She earned MVP honors following the National Championship game in 1972 and was named captain of the India National Team for an exhibition match in 1974. She continued to play in exhibition matches for the national team across several villages in Punjab and all over India to promote field hockey for girls.
 
Following her graduate studies, Chinnan turned professional and helped captain her team to the championship trophy in the Gold Cup Hockey Tournament.
 
Lata then became a team member for India for the first World Cup for Women held in France in 1974. India placed fourth in the tournament, its highest finish to date. The country would then qualify for the 1976 Montreal Olympics, placing seventh.
 
After moving to the United States, Chinnan was hired as an assistant coach for the women's field hockey team at University of California – Davis. In 1996, she served as an Associate Envoy for the Indian Contingent for the Olympics held in Atlanta.
 
Capping her amazing career in athletics and field hockey, her alma mater, Punjab Agricultural University, inducted her into its Sports Hall of Fame. To date, Chinnan remains the only female to have received this honor.

In 2018, PAU dedicated an athletic field called The Lata Mahajan Chinnan Pavilion. This pavilion stands adjacent to the stadium in Ludhiana named in honor of Olympic hockey legend, Mr. Prithipal Singh.

Chinnan has served on the Board of Advisors for Heritage Bank and is the Foundation Director for the Rotary Club of Lake Spivey / Clayton County. She also served on the Advisory Board for the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce from 2000-19.  
 
She has been awarded the Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award in 2019 and the Presidential Award for Community Service in 2016. In 2001, she was named Businesswoman of the Year by the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce while also receiving the Clayton County Community Service Award in 2013.