By Madelyn Haasken
Published 12:00 pm on September 4, 2026
For Bemidji State University hall-of-famer Joan (Campbell) Anderson, the relationships she forged at BSU were built to last a lifetime — and the Howe-Welle Women’s Athletics Golf Tournament provides the perfect setting to celebrate those connections.
The former women’s basketball coach, who led the Beavers from 1982-86, spent the day of the event supporting golfers alongside her friends and former players from BSU.
“The people you meet in college are the ones you grow with,” she said. “My best friends that I met at Bemidji State are still my best friends.”
This year’s tournament drew 132 golfers on Aug. 21 and raised a total of $45,000 for Bemidji State’s women’s athletic programs — a cause close to Anderson’s heart. A 1976 physical education graduate, she played basketball and tennis in the early years of Title IX under BSU women’s athletics pioneer Ruth Howe, a founder and namesake of the annual golf fundraiser.
With dreams of making a big impact in the emerging world of women’s sports after graduating from Bemidji State, Anderson quickly secured a head coaching job at Big Lake High School, where she notched the most wins in the program’s history. In 1981, she went on to pursue a master’s degree in education at the University of Minnesota and became the first-ever second assistant for the school’s women’s basketball program.
In 1982, a pivotal opportunity allowed Anderson the chance to return to her alma mater as the head women’s basketball coach. And the choice was an easy one.
“Ten years after I was there as a student, I was going back to be the head coach,” she said. “People realize once they visit Bemidji that they really love it."
Still navigating the early years of Title IX, Anderson came into the role with high expectations and used them to pave the way for the program’s success.
Anderson was relentless in building top-notch teams in the 80s. During her coaching tenure at Bemidji State, she led the Beavers to several milestones, including their first conference title in 1986, a program record for wins in a season (25), and three consecutive NAIA State Championships in 1984, 1985, and 1986. With Anderson at the helm, her teams set 66 BSU records.
“I brought in a philosophy of serious expectations, but also fun,” she said. “We had goals and a work ethic that was really important. We’re going to have fun, we’re going to be good, and we’re in this together.”
'Her whole heart is in the program'
The student-athletes whom Anderson coached carry with them a loyalty that’s extended far beyond their own college years. Beth (Buckingham) Baalke, who played for BSU from 1984-88 and golfed in this year’ s Howe-Welle, remains instrumental in elevating Bemidji State and its athletic programs. She and her husband, Trent, serve as the lead donors for a transformational renovation of the BSU Gymnasium.
With construction scheduled to break ground in March 2027, the future is bright for Bemidji State women’s basketball. First-year head coach Madison McKeever shares that optimism. As she prepares her team to take the court this winter, she credits Anderson’s insight and advice with helping set the foundation.
“Joan has great energy, and I can just tell that her whole heart is in the program,” McKeever said. “Even though she’s so many years out, she’s a great person to get information and feedback from. She’s just a great mentor for me.”
During her Howe-Welle debut, McKeever golfed alongside Anderson’s friends and former players. For her, that experience underscored the level of steadfast support surrounding BSU women’s athletics.
“This is a great event just to bring people back and build those connections,” she said. “I can just feel the love and support this university has for women’s sports.”
So even though Anderson has witnessed new eras of Beaver Basketball several times over, she knows the pride woven into the program also becomes deeply embedded in every player who takes the court for Bemidji State.
“It was all about the players. They learned a lot, and they believed in the program, and they stuck with it. When I left in ‘86, which was very hard, they still won 25 games,” Anderson said. “I love Bemidji State. I loved those kids, and they were proud of what they did even after I left.”
