University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Celebrate Girls & Women in Sports
2/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Student-Athlete Development
Feb. 1, 2017 University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics was well represented at the 31st annual Minnesota Girls and Women in Sports Day, held at the Minnesota History Center. Legendary golf Patty Berg, former Gopher Diane Scovill and the University of Minnesota Dance team were all recognized at this year's event.
The award ceremony is conducted in conjunction with the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day, a nationwide celebration recognizing the accomplishments of individuals in the promotion and advancement of girls' and women's sports. Minnesota Girls and Women in Sports Day is sponsored by the Minnesota Coalition of Women in Athletic Leadership.
Patty Berg, this year's recipient of the Minnesota Legacy Award, is one of the greatest golfers of all time. As a student-athlete at the University of Minnesota in 1939, Berg went on to play professionally in 1940. From 1941 to 1962, she won 57 professional golf tournaments, 15 of which were majors. A two-time member of the United States Curtis Cup team, Berg was a three-time Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year. Co-founder of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LGPA), Berg was the organization's first president. Retiring from the tour in 1962, Berg won 87 victories in 40 years of play. She was inducted into the LPGA, American, Minnesota, Florida and PGA Halls of Fame, and in 1974, the World Golf Hall of Fame. The LPGA named one of its top awards for Berg, honoring her sportsmanship, diplomacy, goodwill and contributions to the game. In 1995, she became the first woman to receive the PGA's Distinguished Service Award and in that same year was inducted into the University of Minnesota's M Club Hall of Fame. Passing away in 2006, great nephew Pat Johnson accepted Berg's award on behalf of the family.
Former Gopher Diane Scovill received the Special Merit Award, one of four individuals this year to receive the prestigious award, along with Ken Miller (North Country Region Volleyball), Carrie Tollefson (USA Olympic Track and Field) and Deb Weinreis (Minnesota Recreation and Park Association). Scovill has been with Minneapolis Community and Technical College for the past 37 years. Hired in 1980 as the women's basketball coach and later a physical education and health instructor. She led her team to the school's first conference championship and NJCAA state tournament berth. A three-sport student-athlete at Minnesota, Scovill was a four-year letterwinner in basketball (1975-78), softball (1975-76) and field hockey (1975). She is also a lifetime member of Minnesota's M Club.
The University of Minnesota dance team received one of the Breaking Barriers Award. Led by coach Amanda Gaines, the Gophers took top billing at the UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship in Orlando, Fla this past January. Minnesota staked claim to two more national championships on the weekend. The Gophers won their eighth-straight Pom title and are still the only team in the history of the UDA to win the Pom division. The dance team finished first in Jazz as well after finishing second a year ago.
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The University of Minnesota will celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day through various on-campus events. On Jan. 23, Gopher Intercollegiate Athletics held the Jean K Freeman and Women Invested in Leadership and Learning dinner and panel discussion. Read more about this function here.
The Tucker Center will hold its annual film festival on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at TCF Bank Stadium (DQ Clubroom). This year's film is "The Founders", based on the 13 women who created the global legacy of golf. Click here for more information.
On February 10 at the Gopher women's hockey game (7 p.m. vs. North Dakota), "Proud to Play Like a Girl" apparel will be handed out. The following day at the Feb. 11 women's basketball game and women's gymnastics meet, selected Gopher student-athletes will be signing autographs. Fans that have a women's basketball ticket, can also enter the gymnastics event for free. For more information on both these events, please contact the Gopher Development office at 612-625-4879.
The award ceremony is conducted in conjunction with the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day, a nationwide celebration recognizing the accomplishments of individuals in the promotion and advancement of girls' and women's sports. Minnesota Girls and Women in Sports Day is sponsored by the Minnesota Coalition of Women in Athletic Leadership.
Former Gopher Diane Scovill received the Special Merit Award, one of four individuals this year to receive the prestigious award, along with Ken Miller (North Country Region Volleyball), Carrie Tollefson (USA Olympic Track and Field) and Deb Weinreis (Minnesota Recreation and Park Association). Scovill has been with Minneapolis Community and Technical College for the past 37 years. Hired in 1980 as the women's basketball coach and later a physical education and health instructor. She led her team to the school's first conference championship and NJCAA state tournament berth. A three-sport student-athlete at Minnesota, Scovill was a four-year letterwinner in basketball (1975-78), softball (1975-76) and field hockey (1975). She is also a lifetime member of Minnesota's M Club.
The University of Minnesota dance team received one of the Breaking Barriers Award. Led by coach Amanda Gaines, the Gophers took top billing at the UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship in Orlando, Fla this past January. Minnesota staked claim to two more national championships on the weekend. The Gophers won their eighth-straight Pom title and are still the only team in the history of the UDA to win the Pom division. The dance team finished first in Jazz as well after finishing second a year ago.
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The University of Minnesota will celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day through various on-campus events. On Jan. 23, Gopher Intercollegiate Athletics held the Jean K Freeman and Women Invested in Leadership and Learning dinner and panel discussion. Read more about this function here.
The Tucker Center will hold its annual film festival on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at TCF Bank Stadium (DQ Clubroom). This year's film is "The Founders", based on the 13 women who created the global legacy of golf. Click here for more information.
On February 10 at the Gopher women's hockey game (7 p.m. vs. North Dakota), "Proud to Play Like a Girl" apparel will be handed out. The following day at the Feb. 11 women's basketball game and women's gymnastics meet, selected Gopher student-athletes will be signing autographs. Fans that have a women's basketball ticket, can also enter the gymnastics event for free. For more information on both these events, please contact the Gopher Development office at 612-625-4879.
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