|
Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports
Hall of Fame 2003 Inductee:
Jan Blumenstein
In 1972, the Colorado Women’s
Coaches Association (now known as CCGS) was just gaining momentum.
Girl’s team sports were not sanctioned. Track and gymnastics
appeared to be the only place for high school girls to compete.
There was a lot of work to be done! The ground breaking had begun
and first year teacher and coach from Evergreen High School, Jan
Blumenstein was on the ride of her life.
Moving to Colorado from Iowa,
Coach Blumenstein suddenly realized the power female coaches in
Colorado would have if they were persistent. Coach Blumenstein
lived through and contributed to the “girl’s in sports” era for
Colorado. Through her work with CCGS Jan helped to put
opportunities for girls on the map. In just 3 years she saw
volleyball, basketball, and track become sanctioned by CHSAA, which
lead to the first State Championships for these sports. Jan is a
“doer” and joined in the hard work with CCGS helping to plan
coaching clinics and conferences to teach female coaches how to
coach. She was on the basketball and volleyball committee, and was
treasurer for over 6 years. She was part of the CCGS executive
Committee to organize the first 6 All-State Volleyball and
Basketball games.
Loving her work as a teacher and coach, Ms. Blumenstein didn’t
realize that first year coaching would give her the array of
experiences she has had. Coach Blumenstein has coached for 32 years
at 5 schools, both at the high school and middle school level. She
coached basketball 15 years, cross-country 8 years, gymnastics 6
years, track 25 years, and volleyball 17 years for a total of 71
seasons. You would think that would keep her busy enough! She also
volunteered as a coach for recreational and competitive leagues in
the sports of track, basketball, soccer, and softball for a total of
26 seasons. As though she wasn’t busy enough, Blumenstein still
made time to volunteer for many important committees, was the
sponsor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Lakewood H.S.
for 8 years and raised a family.
Jan Blumenstein coached 7 individual
state champions in track and cross-country, and had 3 League Team
Championships and Regional Team Championships in track. Two of her
teams won the League Championship in cross-country with one of those
teams winning the Regional Championship. She coached 4 All-State
basketball and volleyball players and had numerous top 3 state
finishers in track and field and cross-country.
Congratulations to Mrs. Jan
Blumenstein of Conifer H. S. on her worthy induction into the CCGS
Hall of
Fame! Thanks for all of your hard
work!
Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports
Hall of Fame 2003 Inductee:
Barbara Schroeder
Barbara Schroeder came
to Colorado and the Regis University basketball court running! As
the new women’s basketball coach in ‘81, Barb was immediately
introduced to CCGS. Regis had been the site of the CCGS All-State
games for two years and didn’t want any miscommunication with the
new coach. From that point on Coach Schroeder assisted in the
advancement of girl’s sports in Colorado! She spoke at CCGS
basketball clinics as well as encouraging CCGS to get involved in a
WBCA fall basketball clinic in Denver. Barb has served on the
Colorado Girls and Women in Sport Steering Committee, hosted the
Colorado Girls and Women in Sports Fair held annually in Denver, and
has been a member of the Sportswomen of Colorado Nominating
committee since 1995.
Coach Schroeder coached basketball
and tennis at Regis, after coming to Colorado from Illinois. She
coached tennis for 4 years and basketball for 9 years recruiting many Colorado
athletes. Schroeder’s basketball teams posted 2 twenty game seasons
in 9 years. In ‘88-‘89 Schroeder was named the Continental Divide
Conference Women’s Basketball Coach of the year. Her coaching
career led her to her current position of Athletic Director. As
Regis University’s Athletic Director, Barb has the distinction of
being Colorado’s first female, collegiate Athletic Director. She
received the Dorothy Mauk Pioneer Award at the Sportswomen of
Colorado Banquet in ‘97. The “Denver Post” recognized her in ’98
as the third “Most Powerful Woman in Colorado Sports.”
As a
collegiate athletic director, Barb Schroeder has had an impact on
the NCAA. She was vice-chair of the NCAA Division II Management
Council and served as the chair of the Division II Championships
Committee. She also served on the Division II Administrative
Committee and the Division II Budget and Finance Committee. Along
with her other awards, Ms. Schroeder had been named Regis
Administrator of the Year in’95 and 2000, American Association of
University Women (AAUW) Trailblazer Award, and NACWAA District VI
Administrator of the Year.
Barb
Schroeder is tireless in her dedication to girls and women’s sports
in Colorado. She always steps up when she is needed to assist in
educating young coaches and the public. Schroeder is a role model
for our aspiring young athletes demonstrating that goals,
determination, hard work and follow through will lead you to your
life’s dreams. Congratulations to Barbara Schroeder of Regis
University and her induction into the 2003 CCGS Hall of Fame.
Scholarship Scramble at
Indian Tree a Success
The first-ever CCGS golf tournament was held at Indian Tree Golf
Club in Arvada on the 6th of June. It was a benefit for the Ruby
Miller Scholarship and netted about $1800.00. Forty-four
enthusiastic CCGS supporters teamed up to enjoy golf, lunch, and
prizes. The highlight of the tournament was a
HOLE-IN-ONE
by DU assistant
basketball coach, Tracy
Tripp.
Using a nine iron she aced the 125-yard 17th hole. Her
teammates were DU head basketball coach, Pam Tanner, CCGS President,
Terri Ward, and tournament coordinator, Mary Kvamme.
In first place
was the team of Joan Birkland, executive director of Sportswomen of
Colorado; Sammie Chergo, DU golf coach; Beth Kuwata, DU volleyball
coach; and Annette Kvamme. They shot an impressive, six-under-par
69. Second place, shooting a 70, went to Pam Fagerlund, volleyball
coach from Flagler, and her team of Carol Graham and Joan and Tony
Lorince. Third place, also shooting 70 (tie broken by scorecard
tiebreaker), was the team of Pat Johnson, Dona Curry, Paul Sedillo,
and Tim Ottman.
Thanks to all
who came out to play golf and support the efforts of the scholarship
committee. Anyone desiring to serve on the committee is encouraged
to call Mary at 303-421-8392. We hope to make the golf tournament
an annual event; watch for the entry blank in your Coaches
Comment next spring.
|
