Awards & Nominations
Nominations for the 2024 NGWSD-MN Celebration closed on September 20th. Learn more information about the seven different award categories that deserving teams, individuals or organizations who have helped in the quest for equity for girls and women in sport across Minnesota can be nominated for.

National Girls & Women in Sports Day - Minnesota Awards

Dorothy McIntyre began to break barriers for girls & women in sports in the 1960s. From 1970-2002 she was associate director of the MSHSL and responsible for developing statewide programs for high school girls team & individual sports. She was the founder of the Minnesota Coalition of Women in Athletic Leadership. This award recognizes individuals who have dedicated themselves to a lifetime of groundbreaking results in their career, positively impacting the advancement of sports equity for girls and women in Minnesota.  
The Milestone Award is given to a program that has or an individual who has achieved significant milestones in sports equity for girls and women in Minnesota. Honorees may have found success themselves over the course of their lifetime, or helped to create new opportunities which led to the success of other girls and women.
Marie Berg was a pioneer for girls in sports, first playing basketball for Grand Meadow from 1929‐32 and later teaching physical education. This award is presented to an outstanding high school teacher or college instructor specializing in physical education, health or exercise science, kinesiology, or sport management who, throughout their career, has helped to expand opportunities in sport for girls and women in Minnesota.

Milestone Award

Marie Berg Education Award

Dorothy McIntyre Legacy Award

Kwame McDonald was a civil rights activist and pioneer in covering women sports. This award is presented to members of the media or Minnesota media outlets that have consistently provided coverage that both 
promotes and supports girls’ and women’s sports.
Before and after Title IX, individuals and organizations have been faced with many different barriers in providing equity in sports for girls and women. This award is given to those who have successfully torn down those barriers to provide opportunities in sports for girls and women of all races, ages and levels of ability.
Numerous challenges stand in the way of opportunity for girls and women in sport throughout Minnesota. The Special Merit Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to taking action that ensured  opportunities for girls and women in sport.  

Breaking Barriers Award

Kwame McDonald Media Award

Wilma Rudolph, a civil and women’s rights pioneer, was a U.S. Olympic gold medalist who overcame childhood disabilities from polio to become an international track and field icon. This award is presented to girls and women who courageously overcame physical challenges in their success and pursuit of sports to help ensure future opportunities for girls and women, regardless of their physical abilities.

Wilma Rudolph Courage Award

Since 1995, more than 600 Minnesota individuals, teams and organizations have been recognized for their contributions, inspiration, and advocacy for equity in girls' and women's sports. NGWSD-MN honorees are nominated each year by individuals and organizations across various sports platforms from around the state. Learn more about the seven different award categories and the nomination process below.

Nomatinations for the 2025 National Girls & Women in Sports Day - MN celebration are open! Click here to nominate a deserving individual, group, or organization for one of the awards below!

Special Merit Award

  
Who can nominate? 
Anyone! The Minnesota Coalition of Women in Athletic Leadership (MCWAL) reaches out annually to schools, community organizations, athletic conferences and local rec programs around the state to ensure the most deserving individuals, teams and programs are recognized each year. The organization encourages anyone who knows of a deserving candidate to nominate them for the appropriate award.

Who can be nominated?
Any individual, team or program that has played a significant role in helping to grow opportunities across the state for girls and women in sports. The MCWAL looks for nominees to represent not only the diversity of sport participants throughout Minnesota, but also the many platforms across sport: athletes, coaches and officials at all levels; members of the media; physical education teachers or local groups and organizations – among many others!
  
  
How are honorees selected?
All nominations must be submitted online via form by the deadline set each year. For 2024, nominations open on August 1 and the nomination form closes at midnight on September 20. A complete nomination includes the nomination form as well as resumes, articles and any other relevant documents that distinguishes the nominee as a potential recipient of the award. Submissions are reviewed by the MCWAL and selected based on their contributions related to the specific award category.
  

National Girls & Women In Sports Day - Minnesota (NGWSD-MN) Honoree Nomination