The three girls state championship teams of 1977, 1978 and 1979 will be honored Jan. 11-12 in New York Mills. On Jan. 11 the teams will be introduced during half time of the girls game against Swanville. A 30th Reunion dinner and a program will be held Jan. 12 in the school commons to honor the players and coaches.
Pictured here is the 1978 team, which won the district championship over Wadena in a come-from-behind 53-52 overtime win. The Eagles went on to win their second straight state championship by beating Fertile-Beltrami, 80-33; Minnesota Lake, 59-40; and Redwood Falls in the state championship, 64-55.
The Eagles finished the 1978 season 25-1.
The 1978 team broke three of its own tournament records. Most points in a single game (80); best field goal percentage in a game (65); most field goals in a game (39).
The Eagles also set tournament records of most points (203); field goals (90); and shooting percentage (56).
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The 30th Reunion activities Jan. 11-12 include team introductions during half time of the Jan. 11 girls game against Swanville. Scheduled start time of the game is 7 p.m. at the NY Mills Sports Center.
On Jan. 12 a 30th Reunion program and social will be held in the school commons starting with tours of the school at 5 p.m. Social is at 6 p.m., with the program and dinner at 7 p.m.
Guest speakers include Kathy Lervold, NY Mills coach of the 1977 State Girls Basketball Champions; Peggy Zimmerman, NY Mills coach of the 1978-79 State Girls Basketball Champions; and Dorothy McIntyre, an Executive Director of the Minnesota State High School League. She will have a presentation called "Daughters of the Game".
McIntyre was born and raised on a farm near Hawkeye, Iowa. She graduated in 1953 from Hawkeye High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1957 from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. In 1969, McIntyre was awarded her Master of Education degree from the University of Minnesota.
McIntyre was a teacher at Ellendale-Geneva High School from 1957-1959 and at Eden Prairie High School from 1959-1970. In the 1960s, McIntyre began a lifelong advocacy for expanded sports programs for girls, and moved into leadership positions at the state and national levels.
In 1970, McIntyre was employed as an associate director at the Minnesota State High School League where she was active for the next 32 years promoting equity for girls' and women's sports. The Minneapolis Star Tribune named McIntyre as one of Minnesota's 100 most influential sports figures of the 20th century.
Tickets for the program are on sale now at the district office or from a member of the 2007-08 girls basketball team. Tickets are $10/adult, $5/student.
