A member of the CAA 25th Anniversary track and field team, Bates Floyd was JMU's 1996-97 Female Athlete of the Year for her abilities in both cross country and track. In cross country, Bates Floyd was a NCAA All-Region selection in 1996 while earning All-America honors twice in 1997 in the NCAA Championships indoor mile and indoor distance medley relay, finishing eighth in both events. She also qualified to run the outdoor 1,500 meters at the 1997 NCAA Championships, placing 19th. A three-time CAA Champion and five-time All-ECAC selection, she still holds seven school records in three indoor (mile, 4x800 relay, distance medley relay) and four outdoor (1,500 meters, 3,000 meterse, 4x800 relay, distance medley relay) events.