A timeline of a handful of modern key moments in the field of Minnesota women’s sports:
In 1999, Minnesota Lynx make their WNBA debut
In 2008, Wrestler Ali Bernard on her way to Beijing Olympics
In 2011, the Minnesota Lynx make it to the WNBA finals for the first time
In 2017, St. Paul’s Suni Lee sees her Olympic dream on the horizon
These and more that you can hear in this curated collection.
[This collection was curated by Shandi Burrows, Archival Assistant]
November 12, 1974 - MPR’s Bob Potter reports on comments at hearing where women athletics at the University of Minnesota was discussed.
December 20, 1986 - On this Sportfolio program, Libby Riddles, professional dogsledder, discusses mushing, racing weather, and dog sledding. Riddles also answers listener questions.
February 13, 1988 - On this Sportfolio program, Walt Weaver, coach and general manager of the Minnesota Monarchs; and Linda Chisholm, Monarch player and 1984 Olympic silver medalist, discuss women’s volleyball. Weaver and Chisolm also answers listener questions.
August 13, 1988 - On this Sportfolio program, Chris Voelz, new director of Women’s Intercollegiate Athletics Department at University of Minnesota, discusses women in sports; in particular, women in college sports. Topics include separate athletic programs, funding, and higher education. Voelz also answers listener questions.
November 14, 1989 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles basketball star, Janet Karvonen, who has been inducted into the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame and has a local legacy within Minnesota. She is the first women to be inducted into the hall, and at the time, was the youngest inductee as well.
April 15, 1991 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki interviews Sophie Kurys, a former All-Star second basewoman in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, about her recollections as a ballplayer.
May 2, 1991 - MPR’s Dan Olson interviews various parents about a sport they wish were offered by the high schools…ringette.
February 6, 1992 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Dorothy McIntyre and Marie Berg on equity in women’s sports and how Title IX helps with the change.
December 29, 1992 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Julie Englebrecht on women in sports journalism. They discuss the lack of women in the field, getting in to the locker room, and Englebrecht’s new position as a sports journalist at the Star Tribune.
March 12, 1993 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews Dorothy McIntyre and Skip Peltier, both officials of the School Highschool League; and Louis Boone, coach and teacher at Ramsey Junior High, on the role of athletics in high school. Topics include financing, intermural sports, girls’ sports, amateur athletics, and eligibility.