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The Special Merit Award is presented to individuals who exemplify the highest levels of commitment to breaking barriers for girls and women in sport.
Past Special Merit Award Winners
2020: Jill Wahman, MN Gymnastics Judges Association
2020: Justice Margaret Chutich, University of MN
2020: Nancy Manderfeld, MSHSL
2019: Walt Weaver, Apply Valley High School
2019: Linda Larson, University of Minnesota-Duluth
2019: Barb Leopold, Martin Luther College
2019: Darlene Palmer, Brainerd Community College
2018: Theresa Ganley, University of Minnesota
2018: JoeAnn Jackson-Matthews, National Senior Games
2018: Donna Palivec, Bemidji State University
2018: Krissy Wendell-Pohl, University of Minnesota, USA Hockey
2017: Ken Miller, North Country Region Volleyball
2017: Diane Scovill, Minneapolis Community and Technical College
2017: Carrie Tollefson, USA Olympic Track and Field
2017: Deb Weinreis, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association
2016: Kathy Fredricksen, Moose Lake HS
2016: Barbara Knutson, Mankato West High School
2016: Joan Paulson, Forest Lake Area Schools
2016: Jeannie Thoren, Women's Skiing
2015: Myron Glass, Rochester Lourdes HS Girls' Basketball Coach
2015: Jean Havlish, Former Professional Baseball Player and Bowler
2015: Nicole M. LaVoi, Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport
2014: Cathy Peterson - Minneapolis South HS
2014: Carol Visness - Hallock/Kittson HS
2014: Valerie Rogosheske - Marathon runner
2013: Marilyn Pearson Florian - Augsburg College
2013: Toni St. Pierre - Title IX advocate
2013: Faith Johnson Patterson - DeLaSalle/North High Schools
2013: Cheryl Reeve and the Minnesota Lynx
2012: Peggy Brenden - St. Cloud Tech HS/St. Paul Urban Tennis
2012: Judy Jungwirth - Bloomington Schools/Women’s Hockey
2012: Mary Jo Kane - University of Minnesota/Tucker Center
2012: Janis Klecker - Marathon Running
2011: Kristina Koznick - Olympic Alpine Skiing
2011: Milan Mader - Lakeville HS Girls Volleyball Coach
2011: Gretchen Koehler - Gustavus Adolphus College
2011: Evelyn "Evie" Erdman-Elysian - Gymnastics judge and coach.
2010: John Leaney - Macalester Women's Soccer Coach
2010: Elaine Engel - Wilmar Golf Coach
2010: Janet Carpenter - US Figure Skater
2010: All-American Redheads Basketball Team
2009: Vanessa Seljeskog - Macalester College, Coach & Admin.
2009: Dave & Linda Mona - University of Minnesota Supporters
2009: Ruth Howe - Bemidji State University
2009: Susan Alstrom - Buffalo Lake Hector
2008: Gail Nucech - Hibbing Volleyball Coach
2008: Cindy Nelson - Olympic Skier
2008: Barb Lehman - Robbinsdale Cooper High School
2008: JoAnn Andregg - University of St. Thomas
2007: Tucker Institute, University of Minnesota
2007: Janet Marvin, Minneapolis Women's Hockey
2007: Chris Daymont - St. Olaf College Cross Country & Track
2007: Bea Brune - Hermantown High School AD
2006: Stephanie Schleuder - Univ. of Minn. and Macalester Volleyball
2006: Deb Jacobson - Northland Community & Technical College AD
2006: Mary Haugen - Prior Lake High School AD
2005: Lindsay Whalen - University of Minnesota Women's Basketball
2005: Sue Ring-Jarvi - Women's Hockey Association of Minnesota
2005: Sarah Hildebrande - Olympic Diver
2005: Darla Heikes - National Volleyball Center, Rochester
2004: Hot Flash Sailing, Women's Sailing Team
2004: Marge Holderness - St. Paul Public Schools
2004: Muriel Gilman - Bemidji State University
2004: Roman Augustoviz - Star Tribune
2003: Chris Voelz - University of Minnesota
2003: Linda Roberts - University of Minnesota
2003: Kathleen Ridder - Women's Sports Advocate
2003: June Courteau - Basketball Official
2002: Randy Shaver - KARE 11 TV
2002: Carol Howe-Veenstra - College of St. Benedict
2002: Vicki Davis - NCAA Basketball Official
2001: Mylla Urban - Carleton Athletic Director
2001: Lynn Olson - MN Women's Hockey Association. "Godmother of MN Hockey
2001: Jean Freeman - University of Minnesota Swimming
2001: Juel Anderson - Girls Coaching Association
2000: Donna Olson - University of Minnesota Women's Athletics
2000: Mike Fermoyle - Oshman's Supersports
1999: Jane Ring - Women's Hockey Advocate
1999: Marie Keeler - Basketball pioneer, Grand Meadow
1999: Mike Fermoyle - Media, St. Paul Pioneer Press
1999: Carmen DeKoster - SMSU Athletics Director, Coach
1998: Lexington-Hamline Community Council
1998: Pam Ryan - Entrepreneur & inventor of helmet for girls' and women's sports
1998: Jill Pohtilla - Augsburg College Women's Hockey
1998: Barb Northway - Minnesota Sports Federation
1997: Lexington-Hamline Community Council - Girls Rec Space
1996: Jone Stone - KARE TV
1996: Mary Jane Olson - Hamline University
1996: Nancy Baker - Gustavus Adolphus College
1996: Marcia Appel - Minnesota Women's Press
1995: Lyn St. James - Representative
1995: Phyllis Kahn - Representative
1994: The Minnesota State High School League
1994: Chris Voelz - University of Minnesota
1994: Don Shelby - WCCO TV
1994: Kathleen and Robert Ridder, University of Minn. benefactors
1994: Jane Helmke - KARE TV
1994: John Culliton - WCCO TV
1994: Alan Constantini - KARE TV
1994: Susan Carlson - First Lady of the State of Minnesota
1994: Ann Bancroft - Explorer
1992: Betsy Hansen - NCAA Woman of the Year - Minnesota
1992: Jenny Hanley - First woman to play men's college hockey.
