University of Minnesota Athletics
Lindsay Whalen to be Inducted into Academic All-America Hall of Fame
4/11/2023 11:31:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Whalen is a part of the Class of 2023 that includes Kevin Warren.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Former University of Minnesota women's basketball standout Lindsay Whalen has been selected as part of the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Hall of Fame Class of 2023, it was announced Tuesday.
The Hutchinson, Minn., native was a 2003 Academic All-American and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree who graduated from Minnesota in 2006 with her bachelor's degree in sport management.Whalen is the first Minnesota alum ever to earn a place in the Academic All-America Hall of Fame and is the first Academic All-America Hall of Fame inductees with Big Ten Conference ties since 2017 (Stephanie White, Purdue).
Whalen will be enshrined in the Academic All-America Hall of Fame on June 13 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Fla. This year's induction ceremony will be hosted by ESPN's Holly Rowe. The Academic All-America Hall of Fame recognizes former Academic All-Americans who received a college degree at least 10 years ago, have achieved lifetime success in their professional careers and are committed to philanthropic causes. Honorees are chosen each year by a select committee of CSC members, leaders and past Academic All-America Hall of Fame inductees.
Whalen returned to the Gophers after destroying the program's record book in the early 2000s, finishing her career as Minnesota's all-time points leader, along with being second all-time in assists and third all-time in steals. A four-time all-state selection at Hutchinson High School, about an hour west of Minneapolis, Whalen went on to become the catalyst for the most successful seasons in the history of Gopher women's basketball. Whalen led the Gophers to the Women's Final Four as a player before winning four WNBA titles with the Lynx. A six-time WNBA All-Star and three-time All-WNBA first-team selection, she is also the league's career leader in games won at 307. She averaged 11.5 points, 4.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game in her career with the Connecticut Sun and the Lynx. She was also named a member of the league's 20th anniversary team in 2016 and the 25th anniversary team in 2021.
Whalen graduated in 2006 from the 'U' with a bachelor's degree in sport management. She was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and was named a CSC Academic All-American. Selected fourth overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2004 WNBA Draft Whalen went on to play 15 seasons with the Sun and the Minnesota Lynx and was a four-time WNBA champion with Minnesota and a five-time WNBA All-Star. Whalen was named to the "W25" as one of the 25 greatest players in WNBA history in the league's 25th season. Whalen also captured two gold Olympic gold medals with Team USA, winning at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.
Outside of basketball Whalen has volunteered with organizations focused on youth development such as the Timberwolves Lynx Basketball Academy and Athletes Committed to Educating Students (ACES). She has also served on the board of directors for former coach Pam Borton's Empower Leadership Academy for Girls, and participated in the Minnesota Lynx's Day of Service initiative, including celebrating the team's 2017 WNBA title by helping at a Samaritan's Feet Shoes of Hope distribution in Washington, D.C.
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@GopherWBB) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the offseason.
The Hutchinson, Minn., native was a 2003 Academic All-American and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree who graduated from Minnesota in 2006 with her bachelor's degree in sport management.Whalen is the first Minnesota alum ever to earn a place in the Academic All-America Hall of Fame and is the first Academic All-America Hall of Fame inductees with Big Ten Conference ties since 2017 (Stephanie White, Purdue).
Whalen will be enshrined in the Academic All-America Hall of Fame on June 13 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Fla. This year's induction ceremony will be hosted by ESPN's Holly Rowe. The Academic All-America Hall of Fame recognizes former Academic All-Americans who received a college degree at least 10 years ago, have achieved lifetime success in their professional careers and are committed to philanthropic causes. Honorees are chosen each year by a select committee of CSC members, leaders and past Academic All-America Hall of Fame inductees.
Whalen returned to the Gophers after destroying the program's record book in the early 2000s, finishing her career as Minnesota's all-time points leader, along with being second all-time in assists and third all-time in steals. A four-time all-state selection at Hutchinson High School, about an hour west of Minneapolis, Whalen went on to become the catalyst for the most successful seasons in the history of Gopher women's basketball. Whalen led the Gophers to the Women's Final Four as a player before winning four WNBA titles with the Lynx. A six-time WNBA All-Star and three-time All-WNBA first-team selection, she is also the league's career leader in games won at 307. She averaged 11.5 points, 4.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game in her career with the Connecticut Sun and the Lynx. She was also named a member of the league's 20th anniversary team in 2016 and the 25th anniversary team in 2021.
Whalen graduated in 2006 from the 'U' with a bachelor's degree in sport management. She was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and was named a CSC Academic All-American. Selected fourth overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2004 WNBA Draft Whalen went on to play 15 seasons with the Sun and the Minnesota Lynx and was a four-time WNBA champion with Minnesota and a five-time WNBA All-Star. Whalen was named to the "W25" as one of the 25 greatest players in WNBA history in the league's 25th season. Whalen also captured two gold Olympic gold medals with Team USA, winning at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.
Outside of basketball Whalen has volunteered with organizations focused on youth development such as the Timberwolves Lynx Basketball Academy and Athletes Committed to Educating Students (ACES). She has also served on the board of directors for former coach Pam Borton's Empower Leadership Academy for Girls, and participated in the Minnesota Lynx's Day of Service initiative, including celebrating the team's 2017 WNBA title by helping at a Samaritan's Feet Shoes of Hope distribution in Washington, D.C.
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@GopherWBB) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the offseason.
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