ST. JOSEPH, MINN. -- Across decades of competition, athletic legacies evolve through personality, effort, resiliency and focus of those who gave themselves to a time, place, and a team.
 
On Saturday, Oct. 22, the College of Saint Benedict's tradition of success was centerstage when 50 of the greatest and most impactful student-athletes were honored at CSB's Title IX 50^th anniversary ceremony at the Bendicata Arts Center on campus.
 

In a closing statement at the ceremony, CSB/SJU President Brian Bruess called the 50 women being honored "pioneers", suggesting that their impact was noteworthy and memorable and, at this moment, were in essence, handing off that role of "pioneers" to this new generation of CSB student-athletes, gathered in dozens in the theatre. And, as the student athletes and honorees gathered for a picture post event, it was clear that CSB's legacy of growth, faith, integrity, and excellence was moving forward with momentum.
 
"I think the first word that comes to my mind is being overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with gratitude for the commitment our college made to grow our programs. For the dedication of our coaching staff, athletic trainers, media members. People that all surrounded us creating this teamwork. And, then the hard work to create strong student-athletes," stated former Athletic Director Carol Howe-Veenstra, who led the department from 1987 to 2015.
 
"To have these 50 women in a room together celebrating tonight, it is absolutely amazing," added Howe-Veenstra, who with other CSB athletic directors Carol Agnes (1970's), Margo Coleman (1980s) and current AD Kelly Anderson Diercks made presentations about the five decades of excellence (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s).
 
Anderson Diercks reflected on how this event enabled St. Ben's to recognize individuals who brought a spirit and an unrelenting focus to this campus. She noted, too, how leaders at the school unleashed the power of sport which enabled the teaching of incredible, and, in some instances, improbable lessons in life.
 
"These women (Howe-Veenstra, Coleman, Agnes) understood that power of sport and advocated for the women of Saint Benedict to be able to fight to become champions in sports and life. We owe a debt of gratitude to these women as well as all the honorees. We would not be where we are today if it were not for their unwavering belief in women and our ability to be successful in all spheres of life," said Anderson Diercks.

 

It has been 50 years since Title IX changed the landscape of athletics. Due to that ruling that banned discrimination based on sex, thousands upon thousands of individuals experienced transformative opportunities.
 
At St. Ben's, where sporting competition evolved over 108 years ago, hundreds upon hundreds of student-athletes were part of a changing environment that enabled individuals and teams to be part of memorable moments.
 
~ In the 1970s, the modern era of athletics began when St. Benedict athletes were competing in the A.I.A.W. against regional colleges and universities – including schools that today compete at the DI and DII and levels. Saint Ben's added five varsity sports (volleyball, basketball and swim and dive in 1973; softball in 1975 and tennis in 1976). As reflected by President Bruess, they were indeed early pioneers laying the groundwork for what was to evolve.
 
~ In the 1980s, CSB moved from the Midwestern Women's Collegiate Conference (MWCC) to the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) as CSB won its first conference titles, had its first all-Americans, first conference player/coaches of the year, while adding cross country and soccer in 1983-84 and golf and track and field in 1987-88. And Claire Lynch Hall opened in 1985.

~ In the 1990s, the growth and success continued. CSB won eight MIAC championships and nine individual MIAC championships. Teams qualified for the Final Four with women's basketball finishing national runner up in 1998. The college also added women's hockey in 1997-98 and Nordic skiing in 1999-00.
 
~ In the 2000s, Saint Ben's won nine MIAC championships, three individual league titles and two student-athletes were MIAC Player of the Year. Two basketball teams qualified for the NCAA Sweet 16 and one advanced to the Elite Eight. Nine athletes were named All-Americans.
 
~ In the 2010s, CSB won five MIAC championships and 13 student-athletes won individual titles in the MIAC. In addition, CSB qualified for 10 NCAA postseason appearances while 26 individual student-athletes qualified for NCAA championships. Also, two student-athletes were MIAC Players and of the Year with 10 others earning All-American honors.
 
With that rich history embedded into this school's legacy and detailed during the ceremony, happy emotions filled the room. Honorees stood proud as they noted the extraordinary honor to be included in this ceremony.
 
 "It was amazing. When I was first told I would be one of the honorees, I was really shocked but proud to be able to get to know all the other women that came before my time. To see how far women's athletics has come has really been amazing," said Lexi Alm Johnson, a two-sports standout (softball/volleyball), who became the first softball All-American at St. Bens and was a two-time all-region honoree while earning five All-MIAC honors and being named MIAC softball player of the year.
 
Nancy Frost Bellmont, who was a key part of the school's first team to compete at the intercollegiate level in 1972-73 and became an advocate for women's athletics as a student and beyond, carried a smile from the time she arrived.
 
"It was a total blast. Just to see the history of Saint Ben's athletics put up on the screen and stage like that from the beginning to the current students was a total thrill," stated Frost Bellmont.
 
While the joy of the recognition was prominent, honorees also noted the impact of Title IX and its extraordinary impact on generations of women.
 
"I think of opportunity when I think of Title IX. Just the incredible growth that has happened in women's sports, even from the time I played here to what I see on campus today is incredible. To see the facilities and the investment of the community in opportunities for women is incredible," said Colleen Neary, a three-time All-MIAC selection and a 1991 All-American in soccer.
 
"I would not have been here and been able to do all these things if Title IX had not been passed. I have three daughters now too and I think about how they have so many opportunities to play the sports they want to and be involved in the things they really want to do and use their abilities the best they can," noted Anna Heikenen Johnson, a two-time All-American in basketball and 2006 MIAC Player of the Year. A three-time All-MIAC honoree she led her team to three MIAC championships and a NCAA DIII Sweet 16 appearance.
 
From those opportunities, a spirit grew and brought home a special energy about the college that resonates through the feelings and emotions of those honored.
 
"There is a tradition of excellence here which grows upon itself. I am biased, of course, but I think when you come to this school, it is hard to even think about going someplace else," said Laura Wendorff-Meyer, a seven-time national qualifier and three-time All-American in track and field (shot put) in the mid-2000s. "There're simply great people here. The entire athletic department. The coaching staff is just top notch. You cannot find better people," said Wendorf, who was a five-time MIAC champion.
 
"Saint Ben's means everything to me. It was just such a positive point in my life. Academics, sports, friends, family. I met my future husband here. I loved everything about it, and I cherish those memories," said Michelle Barlau Goodman, A CSB Athletics Hall of Fame honoree, who shined for CSB in the early 2000s, earning MIAC Player of the Year honors as a senior and four times being named All-MIAC first team.
 
This ceremony was perhaps best described by basketball and volleyball standout Tina Kampa, who starred at St. Bens in the mid-1990s, earning All-MIAC honors three times in each sport and earning All-American honors twice.
 
"I'm a little speechless thinking about that, especially being in the room with so many other powerful and inspiring women," said Kampa. "When I think back to the most significant and meaningful relationships in my life, they seem to all stem back somehow to Saint Ben's athletics. This is a night to celebrate how far we have come."