Alexa Martin, online publishing coordinator
On the evening of Oct. 6, Augsburg athletes past and present gathered together in the Foss chapel to celebrate many great female athletes and the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Multiple female athletes were recognized for their many accomplishments that were made during their time as Auggies. This included the Legend of Augsburg Athletics Award, Hall of Fame inductees, and the 2010’s All-Decade Team.
The evening started with the presentation of the Legend of Augsburg Athletics Award to Joyce Pfaff. Pfaff worked as and pushed for many firsts during her time at Augsburg. She became the first women’s intercollegiate athletic director in 1972 and served until 1988. While serving she pushed for women’s varsity intercollegiate sports such as basketball, softball, tennis, track and field, cross country and soccer. In addition to this, she became the first to serve as Augsburg’s volleyball and gymnastics coach. Pfaff stated that she was “deeply honored to receive such an award” during her acceptance speech.
After Pfaff’s speech, six former Auggies were inducted into the Hall of Fame, each of whom made a huge impact on Augsburg athletics. Inducted first was Annie Annunziato, a former hockey player who graduated in 2004. Annunziato was followed by Tonnisha (Bell) Russell, a former track and field runner who graduated in 2006. The next inductee was Angela (Bergeson) Lawrence. Lawrence was a dual-sport athlete for the Auggies in both cross country and track and field until she graduated in 2006. She was followed by Melynda (Kleewein) Belde. Belde was a three-sport athlete in hockey, softball and soccer for Augsburg until she graduated in 2005. Next was Millie Suk, a former Auggie soccer player who graduated in 2006. The final inductee of the evening was Melissa Lee, who graduated in 2004 and was a dual-sport athlete in softball and basketball.
Though the applause for each of the inductees led to most attendees standing, when Lee’s speech finished, not a single person was left sitting in their chair. Lee currently serves as the school’s assistant athletic director, an instructor in the health and physical education department and the softball head coach. Because of her work in the athletic department, Lee has a connection with nearly all the current athletes at Augsburg. She received loud cheers and applause from all in attendance. It sounded quite a lot like the cheers that you often hear at an Auggie sporting event, where Lee is almost always found in the bleachers no matter the sport.
In addition to these six women who were inducted into the Hall of Fame, a group of 20 other women were named to the All-Decade Team. Former members of the Auggie womens volleyball, hockey, soccer, softball, cross country, lacrosse, and track and field teams were represented on the 2010s All-Decade Team.
The event came to a close with one last congratulations to all those in attendance to celebrate these women. Another huge congratulations to all those that were celebrated. You have helped pave the way for the generations of women after you, and we would not be here without you.
For further information regarding the records of any of these accomplished women, please go to the Augsburg Athletics article, “Augsburg to honor Hall of Famers in October” or find the link in our online version. athletics.augsburg.edu/news/2022/5/26/gen052622.aspx