Tri-County News

Former coaches tackle Title IX at Stearns History Museum


June marks anniversary of groundbreaking law protecting all students from discrimination

Dr. Lori Ulferts, a professor at St. Cloud State University, and Carol Howe-Veenstra, former director of athletics at the College of St. Benedict, will present “Title IX: Past and Present” at 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, at the Stearns History Museum’s Breakfast Club.

Title IX states that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Although the law encompasses all aspects of the educational system, it is most known for its impact in the sports arena. Before Title IX, one in 27 girls played sports. Today that number is two in five. Former coaches Ulferts and Howe-Veenstra will share their experiences and expertise of Title IX – the law, the changes, and the past and current challenges.

Ulferts, originally of Minnesota, received her bachelor and doctorate degrees from the University of North Dakota (UND), where she also lettered in four collegiate sports. She has a master’s degree from Frostburg State University in Maryland, and she coached basketball and volleyball at the University of Minnesota-Crookston (UMC). Ulferts also coached basketball at Minnesota State University-Moorhead (MSUM) for five years and St. Cloud State for 14 years. She is a Hall of Fame member of UMC, Frostburg, MSUM, and UND.

Howe-Veenstra, a 1975 graduate of MSUM, taught physical education at St. Cloud Technical High School and coached volleyball and track and field. She received her master’s degree in physical education from St. Cloud State. In 1985, Howe-Veenstra began a 30-year career at St. Ben’s which included 15 seasons as the volleyball coach and 28 years as the director of athletics. Howe-Veenstra is a member of several Halls of Fame including the Minnesota High School Volleyball Coaches Association, Tech High School, MSUM, and CSB. She currently is retired.

The Breakfast Club program is free for Stearns History Museum members and $7 for nonmembers.

Refreshments are served. The Museum is located at 235 South 33rd Avenue, St. Cloud. Please join us for these fascinating first-person accounts of a complicated topic.

About Stearns History Museum

Founded in 1936, the Stearns History Museum works to connect people to the power of history and culture by collecting, preserving, and interpreting our historical and cultural resources. It is nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

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