Event kicks off year-long celebration of Central Minnesota women in sports
Minnesota basketball super-star and University of Minnesota women’s basketball coach Lindsay Whalen will headline the Stearns History Museum’s History-Maker Gala in May.
The gala will take place Thursday, May 2, at the College of St. Benedict. It begins with a VIP reception and social hour at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the presentation. St. Cloud Times sports writer Tom Elliott will be on hand to facilitate Whalen’s presentation. Sponsorship, table and ticket sales have already begun and are selling quickly. Individual tickets are $75 each for members, $100 each for non-members. For tickets, membership, and/or sponsor information, visit http://stearns-museum.org/history-maker-gala, or call the museum directly at (320) 253-8424.
Originally from Hutchinson, Whalen is one of the most decorated athletes of all time. As a U of M women’s basketball player, she became its all-time leading scorer in 2004. She finished her career with 2,285 points, the fifth-best in Big Ten history. She also holds Minnesota career records in points, scoring average, games in double figures, free throws made, and free-throw percentage. As a professional WBNA player, she was named Minnesota Sports Awards Professional Athlete of the Year for 2018. She’s a four-time WNBA Champion (2017, 2015, 2013, 2011), and she became the first player in WNBA history with 5,000-plus points, 2,000-plus assists, and 1,500-plus rebounds. She was named coach of the U of M women’s basketball team in April 2018.
Whalen’s love of basketball began in a high school gymnasium. Her appearance will kick off a celebration and traveling exhibition of outstanding women athletes in Central Minnesota. The museum currently is gathering information on players, stories, and artifacts for the exhibition. More details will be forthcoming. Contact the museum directly with questions, athlete nominations, or to contribute materials.