By Stella Dolan
Published 4:40 p.m. on Aug. 29, 2024
The 2024 Howe-Welle Women's Athletics Golf Tournament marked a significant milestone as it was the first event held since the passing of Ruth Howe, a pioneer of women's athletics at Bemidji State University. This year, the tournament reached a new milestone with 30 teams participating, reflecting both the influence of Howe's legacy and the increasing support for women's athletics at BSU.
The event was more than just a golf tournament; it was a celebration of the strong female leadership that continues to drive BSU forward. Current and former coaches, student-athletes, alumni, administrators, and community members came together to honor Howe’s contributions and to support the next generation of female student-athletes.
Britt Lauritsen: Director of Athletics
Britt Lauritsen, BSU’s Director of Athletics, emphasized the importance of the Howe-Welle tournament in maintaining the strong foundation of women’s athletics at BSU.
“This tournament is important because it focuses on the foundation we have built as an institution. BSU was one of the first to really embrace women’s athletics, and that’s been a common theme for the last 50 years."
“To be able to have strong roots and a strong foundation just means that we are able to propel ourselves forward that much quicker and with that much more steam.”
“Anything that we can do to honor legacies and then start to build our own with every new student-athlete generation is critical and that's the fun part of what we do at this tournament every year.”
Lauritsen, who is in her third year as the director, is surrounded by females within her athletic staff everyday.
“Having women in leadership just goes to show how far we have made it. In 2024 and beyond, it’s important for our student-athletes to know that if you see it, you can be it.
“A lot of us didn't grow up with that, we didn't grow up with female coaches, or female administrators or really have any connection to that. So to be able to set an example and to be the folks who say, “yeah you can do it, look what we’re doing and you’re going to do it 100 times better years down the road,” is important.”
“The team behind the teams has that 360 understanding of all of our sports and all of our student-athlete experiences. It’s an honor everyday to be working with these people and for these people and knowing that they have my back.”
Amber Fryklund: Head Women's Hockey Coach
Amber Fryklund, the new head coach of the BSU women’s hockey program, embodies the spirit of Ruth Howe’s legacy. As the all-time leading scorer in BSU history and a former player who was instrumental in establishing the women’s hockey program, Fryklund is deeply connected to the history of BSU Athletics.
“She paved the way,” Fryklund said of Howe. “She was way ahead of her time. She advocated for women’s athletics even before Title IX. Bemidji State has always had a strong women’s athletics presence, and to have the opportunity to play here and be impacted by what she did is pretty special. Now, as a coach, I’m super grateful for everything she did to pave the way and advocate for women’s sports.”
Fryklund’s commitment to continuing Howe’s vision is evident in the growth of the Howe-Welle tournament. “This event has grown every year. We had a record number of 30 teams this year, which shows the support in our community for women’s athletic teams.
“All of our women’s athletics teams — here today, supporting and talking to people, it’s really cool.”
“Whether it's a generation of field hockey players that are here today, or generations of people that graduated two years ago, there’s multiple generations that are here supporting this event.”
“Having our athletes talk to former alumni and meet people across generations is pretty special,” she added.
Krisi Fenner: Vice President of Finance and Administration
Krisi Fenner, Vice President for Finance and Administration at Bemidji State University, exemplifies powerful female leadership and dedication to her community.
Fenner oversees finance, information technologies, facilities, and public safety, driving the university's operational success while enabling opportunities for first-generation and low-income students.
Krisi Fenner, Britt Lauritsen and Allyssa Joseph serve as leaders together on President John Hoffman’s executive cabinet. They represent the progress women have made at BSU. Of the 10 current members, six are women.
A 2010 BSU graduate, Fenner’s journey from a low-income background to an executive role highlights her as a role model for aspiring female leaders, embodying resilience and a commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering educational excellence.
“Being a female in leadership is important to me because I feel like women represent so much that we need in the world. Personally, being a woman in power, I am using that authority to pave the way for the next generation so that the women who come after me don’t have to fight so hard for that power,” Fenner said.
Allyssa Joseph: Vice President of University Advancement
Similarly, Allyssa “AJ” Joseph, Vice President of University Advancement, reflects on the legacy of women who have paved the way in various fields, “It’s really important to realize the place that we’re in right now and women who have paved the way in athletics, as Ruth Howe, women who are paving the way in politics, in the military."
In her first fiscal year at the BSU Foundation, Allyssa Joseph achieved a remarkable feat by guiding the organization to surpass the $10 million mark in fundraising.
This achievement represents a significant leap from the prior average of about $3 million annually. Her visionary and strategic leadership not only emphasize her influential role, but also set a new standard for what female leaders can accomplish in philanthropy.
“It's really inspiring to me to see women in my own circles who have paved the way for myself, to have a better life, a better future. The ability to be a better leader to other women, it’s been incredible to be in the time that we’re in.
"I know it’s on the backs of other women.”
Donna Palivec: Former Head Volleyball Coach 1994-2001, 2017 BSU Hall of Fame Inductee
Donna Palivec, a former head volleyball coach at BSU and a 2017 Hall of Fame inductee, spoke to the importance of the Howe-Welle tournament in preserving the legacy of women’s athletics at BSU. “The legacy begins with Ruth Howe, who was a pioneer of women’s athletics at Bemidji State.”
“I think knowing that you can have fun and give back at the same time, is the way to do it and that’s what this golf tournament does.”
Palivec, who has been actively involved in the Bemidji community for years, emphasized the unique connection between BSU and the local community. “Bemidji is small enough that you can go to an event and see somebody you know, but big enough that you have the amenities. When people enjoy being part of the community, it’s a win-win for BSU.”
“BSU is an anchor to the Bemidji community. People identify within the community and then come back. A great example of it is Amber Fryklund — she does her play. She played here, then came back. You, Stella, you played here and now you’re back coaching. I think you see a lot of that in BSU Athletics.”
Palivec hopes that women alumna who were student-athletes at BSU remember to pay it forward.
“For all that we gain in our experience in athletics here, we need to ensure that future student-athletes can have the same opportunities. The best way we can do that is by financially supporting them through scholarships.”
Ruth Howe: Official Founder of BSU Women's Athletics
As one of the founding members of BSU's women's athletics program, Howe was instrumental in creating and expanding women's intercollegiate sports at the university.
Starting her coaching career in 1964, Ruth Howe not only led teams in basketball, softball, and tennis but also played a crucial role in founding four inaugural sports: basketball, volleyball, field hockey, and swimming.
Dr. Ruth Howe's commitment to developing female athletes and advocating for their opportunities shaped the women's sports at Bemidji State University, leaving a legacy that continues to influence athletic programs today.
This year’s record-breaking Howe-Welle Women’s Athletics Golf Tournament highlighted Ruth Howe's impact, bringing together generations of female leaders, student-athletes, and alumni to celebrate the progress of women’s athletics at BSU and to build upon the strong foundation she helped establish.
As the tournament continues to grow each year, it serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting women’s athletics and empowering female leaders.
The impact of Ruth Howe is still felt today, as new generations of female leaders at BSU continue to pave the way for future student-athletes.
