Introduction
Introductory Statement from Linda Wells
“It was an honor to have been a coach, graduate student, lab researcher, instructor, and Master’s graduate from the University of Minnesota. My coaching career at Minnesota exposed me to many great people. Through this donation, I hope to inspire other women from athletics to consider their part in history and make their own contribution(s) to leave legacies for the future.
My years were exciting ones for the growth and recognition for women’s athletics. The women’s movement intersected with Title IX to make statements about the changing roles of women in the culture. In 1972, the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) was founded and created a platform for state, regional, and national competitions for female athletes at the college level. Much of the administration, implementation, and development of the organization was done by women already overloaded by expectation and underserved in financing.
I came to the University of Minnesota as a graduate student in Exercise Physiology. Within one year, I was taking classes, teaching classes, working the lab, and coaching volleyball, basketball, and softball. My opportunity expanded way more than my wallet when I was named the first full time coach in the newly formed women’s athletic department. In 1979, I was the only woman coach to join the Rajender class action lawsuit, and found much support for my position. I was the first woman to have an office in the Bierman athletic building, and helped create small spaces where women could compete large.
There were many problems in these early times. Finances required time in vans, long trips, multiple athletes (or a whole team with the coach) in one room, limited meal support, difficulty with students missing classes, and lack of acceptance by many of the male athletes, who felt a woman’s gain was their loss.
The scrapbooks and materials I am leaving are here to say ‘thank you’ to my alums. So many gave up so much to gain the experience of being an athlete. Many of them were also giving up much in other ways… women were not welcome in many fields, gyms or courts in athletics, but they were also not welcome in many fields of study. So many made sacrifices to play and compete and have been rewarded with trophies, a spirit of sisterhood and lifelong friends. In addition to the alums, I wish to thank my captains, assistants, administrators, and the parents, fans, and well-wishers.
Turn the pages of this collection and meet the athletes from the University of Minnesota. While you are at it, also appreciate the work of Cindy Kommers, who took the time from her ‘free time’ to create each of these books, for each of these years, for each of these sports.
All along there was always one more thing to do… to train, to compete, to study… perhaps, with you now… you have something you can give to history and the U. Carry on… and wherever you go, go with all your heart.” - Linda Wells, 2024