University of Minnesota Athletics
Black History Month: LaRue Fields
2/2/2022 6:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
When LaRue Fields became the sixth head coach of the Golden Gopher women's basketball team in 1987, she also made history by becoming the University of Minnesota's first Black female head coach. She was one of few Black women to hold a major conference head basketball coaching position at the time.
Fields had experience blazing new trails, as she played on Francis Marion University's first three women's volleyball and basketball teams from 1973 to 1976. Fields came to Minnesota by way of Morgan State, where she compiled a 123-61 head coaching record and was named the 1981 AIAW Division II coach of the year.
Fields, who joined the Gophers' staff as an assistant coach in the 1985-86 season, took over as interim head coach in 1987 after Ellen Mosher Hanson's resignation. She signed a three-year contract in spring of 1988.
Fields stepped into the interim role fifteen years after the passing of the Title IX amendment and official recognition of the program as a varsity intercollegiate sport. It was not long after the transition from AIAW to NCAA competition, and just a few years into official Big Ten conference play for women's basketball. Fields inherited a team that had finished well below .500 both the previous seasons, and the Gophers had another tough few seasons during her tenure. Fields resigned in the spring of 1988 with a 24-59 record. There were bright spots during these years, including Lea Blackwell and Ellen Kramer both earning All-Big Ten honorable mention twice under Fields' watch.
During her time at Minnesota, Fields strove to have a positive influence on her players beyond the basketball court. She advocated for a mentorship program, especially for out-of-town student-athletes and student-athletes of color entering a new place with a predominantly white demographic. After the announcement of her departure, Gopher players voiced their appreciation for Fields' work ethic, emphasis on academics, care for them as people, and status as a role model for Black women.
After leaving her coaching position, Fields became the director of youth services at the Minneapolis YWCA. Some of her goals in this role included helping youth feel empowered to make good choices and preparing them to deal with racism they would encounter. Fields has remained involved in the community, including working in social services and advocacy throughout her post-coaching career.
Written by Justine Reisman
Fields had experience blazing new trails, as she played on Francis Marion University's first three women's volleyball and basketball teams from 1973 to 1976. Fields came to Minnesota by way of Morgan State, where she compiled a 123-61 head coaching record and was named the 1981 AIAW Division II coach of the year.
Fields, who joined the Gophers' staff as an assistant coach in the 1985-86 season, took over as interim head coach in 1987 after Ellen Mosher Hanson's resignation. She signed a three-year contract in spring of 1988.
Fields stepped into the interim role fifteen years after the passing of the Title IX amendment and official recognition of the program as a varsity intercollegiate sport. It was not long after the transition from AIAW to NCAA competition, and just a few years into official Big Ten conference play for women's basketball. Fields inherited a team that had finished well below .500 both the previous seasons, and the Gophers had another tough few seasons during her tenure. Fields resigned in the spring of 1988 with a 24-59 record. There were bright spots during these years, including Lea Blackwell and Ellen Kramer both earning All-Big Ten honorable mention twice under Fields' watch.
During her time at Minnesota, Fields strove to have a positive influence on her players beyond the basketball court. She advocated for a mentorship program, especially for out-of-town student-athletes and student-athletes of color entering a new place with a predominantly white demographic. After the announcement of her departure, Gopher players voiced their appreciation for Fields' work ethic, emphasis on academics, care for them as people, and status as a role model for Black women.
After leaving her coaching position, Fields became the director of youth services at the Minneapolis YWCA. Some of her goals in this role included helping youth feel empowered to make good choices and preparing them to deal with racism they would encounter. Fields has remained involved in the community, including working in social services and advocacy throughout her post-coaching career.
Written by Justine Reisman
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