High School Stadium Named after Teacher, Coach, and Athletic Director Barbara A. Lehman SP '65
On September 4, 2009, at the football home opener, the Cooper High School stadium in New Hope, Minnesota, was named in honor of former athletic director and physical education teacher, Barbara A. Lehman SP ’65 because “she personifies the dedication and spirit Cooper wishes to emulate.” This dedication and spirit helped Lehman pave the way for gender equity in sports for nearly 45 years. It also made her one of the school district's best-loved teachers, chosen as "Favorite Teacher" for 18 consecutive years. (She is pictured with her mother, Barbara Rosacker Lehman SP '39, at the naming ceremony.)
Sports at St. Kate's
Lehman's athletic mold-breaking started early. "I became interested in sports in grade school and while babysitting neighborhood kids. I liked to try to teach them how to play catch and bat, and things like that." Her favorite sports were basketball, which she'd play in the alley, "mostly with the guys -- only one girl in the neighborhood played with us." They also played baseball in the alley, with the telephone pole being 1st base, and ice hockey on backyard rinks. "My dad taught me how to play tennis and catch with the baseball and football." While a junior-high student at St. Leo's, "I got frustrated when girls were over-shadowed by boys." A volunteer coach at St. Mark's parish organized an informal set of games among the girls' of other Catholic parishes, which Lehman really appreciated.
When inter-school competitive team sports weren’t offered at her all-girls high school, Derham Hall, Lehman and some friends snuck out of study hall on the second floor of Derham [where the Registrar's Office is now] to play basketball with the St. Kate’s college students in the Fontbonne gymnasium. For these sports liaisons, the high schoolers excused themselves to deliver things to teachers or "we'd sneak out on the roof and down the fire escape," Lehman admits. At that time, even college players were restricted in their basketball, only allowed to play half-court, either offense or defense.
Once a student at St. Kate's, Lehman joined the basketball. field hockey, and Dolphins synchronized swimming teams. Since her mother was a Katie alumna, Barbara Rosacker Lehman SP '39, young Barbara had learned to swim in the Fontbonne pool in Alumnae Association classes. Her swim teacher, Evelyn Bettendorf, was so encouraging that Lehman decided to become a physical education teacher. In college, Mrs. Bettendorf became her advisor, physical education professor, Dolphins coach and long-time friend. "She was exactly the kind of teacher and coach I wanted to be," says Lehman. "Mrs. Bettendorf" offered respect, encouragement, discipline, skills building, and a warm smile to every student, no matter the ability. And she had a good sense of humor, "an imperative in teaching," adds Lehman.
What at the College of St. Catherine, Lehman grew in confidence beyond the classroom. "My experience at St. Kate's was very inspiring. It taught me to become a leader and organizer. There were conservative and liberal teachers but they all strived for you to become someone and do something not only for yourself but also for others. I definitely look back and say thank you that I went to St. Kate's."
Breaking Barriers and Expanding Boundaries for Female Athletes
Years before the monumental 1972 Title One ruling that required public schools to develop equal sports access for females, Lehman was building new opportunities from the ground up. In her first teaching and coaching job, in Colorado, she initiated the Girls Athletic Association and girls intermural volleyball, basketball, tennis, speed swimming and synchronized swimming programs. In addition, "I would set up 'Sports Play Days' with other schools in the area so girls would have competition. The school even provided bussing for us. It was slow going but eventually the programs were up and running."
Returning to Minnesota, she built upon this organizing experience. "Several young women I coached in intramurals said 'What more can we do to move on in athletics?' So the girls, parents, a few other women P..E teachers and myself said, 'Let's go!' We received lots of cooperation from the administration and fellow colleagues." Together they created a four-school junior high girls speed swimming program that quickly multiplied to a ten-school competitive conference. Within three years, Lehman had organized a similar program in the high schools, building from three member schools to sixteen in the conference, helping to re-establish an annual Minnesota state swim meet for young women (which had been discontinued in 1942).
"I have never really run into obstacles or barriers," says Lehman. "It's more that when I found something wasn't there, I would have to start it." Many times. And not just for young women, but for young men as well. When a tennis program was absent and students wanted it, Lehman began an intramural program for girls and boys. "I wanted the kids to find an activity they liked, something that would be a part of them. I feel I am the kind of person who says, 'here’s the problem, now let's try to find a solution.' If a student asked for something, they’ve obviously thought it out and felt I was approachable enough to ask. I would always say 'it never hurts to ask.'”
For many years, Lehman team-taught with Bob Hammar, who had a similar philosophy and approach. "We just wanted to go out and have fun and have the kids find fun in the activities as they were learning." Mrs. Bettendorf served as a role model to Lehman, and Lehman has been a role model to others -- to such an extent that the national Athletic Management magazine honored her with an ATALANTA award in the category of Role Models. "I enjoy teenagers a lot," explains Lehman, "I enjoy working with them, and I've always tried to be very fair with students, athletes, and coaches. I've respected them, and they've given that back to me. The key to survival is respect." Over the forty-two years Lehman devoted to the Robbinsdale School District, she taught generations of students and coached speed and synchronized swimming, alpine skiing, basketball, and golf. She also coordinated various intramural sports programs.
Leadership, Problem Solving, and Partnership Building
Her influence, though, extended far beyond the students to the school administration, district, community, Classic Lake Conference, state, and even the nation in her profession. Lehman led committees and initiatives for gender equity and more comprehensive sports offerings, both in competitive conferences and in intermural programs to get all kids engaged. For her work in "Breaking Barriers & Expanding Boundaries for Minnesota Female Athletes," she was honored with a J.C. Penny Award on National Women in Sports Day in 1999. In 2000, the Minnesota Athletic Directors Association named her Regional Athletic Director of the Year.
As Athletic Director at Cooper High School, she spearheaded the building of the new football stadium and track, new tennis courts, upgraded softball and baseball fields, and built a partnership with the city of New Hope for a community gym. She has been called “a visionary,” “the glue that holds it all together,” “a voice of wisdom and caution,” and “a miracle worker.”
Tom Walerius worked with Lehman on the partnership between the City of New Hope and School District 281 to build the community gym. He said: "She's excellent. She communicates well, she knows how to solve problems, and she has an even temperament. She's outstanding, one of the top five to ten people I've ever worked with." Lehman's colleague and the present athletic director for Cooper High School echoed those sentiments. "She is someone who pushes me to try things, like being athletic director, that I was maybe not certain I wanted to do or was sure I could do. ... She has guided me and given me the extra push to do better."
When told that the stadium was going to be named after her, she sobbed: “I’m truly humbled by it.” Her fans at Cooper High School can't think of anyone who deserves it more. Christine Tommerdahl, who worked as Lehman's secretary, stated: "She's one of Cooper's greatest fans and advocates. She is beloved by everyone in the district. I've never heard a bad word about her or from her." A co-worker, Shelley, wrote to Lehman: "You were a teacher, coach, mentor, role model, friend, and confidant to thousands of students. Their lives were changed because of you!" Over the years, Lehman received piles of thankful letters from students and teams. Many former students and team members came to the stadium-naming event to thank her.
Though Lehman officially retired from Cooper High School in 2001, she has maintained an office in the Athletic Department of Cooper High School, working as District 281 Wellness Coordinator and consultant, and she continues to coach golf. In 2007 she was presented with the Distinguished Service Award from the Classic Lake Conference.
Looking Back
Over the years, Lehman kept close contact with Mrs. Bettendorf and with St. Kate's, and when the new Aimee and Patrick Butler Center for Sports and Fitness was opened on the campus in 1994, the two physical education teachers viewed the new pool together. By all standards, Lehman seems to have met her goal of following in her mentor's footsteps.
Recently Barbara Ann Lehman has tackled a bout with ovarian cancer that metastasized to her brain, and she is still receiving treatments but she's beating the odds and keeping fit: “I owe it all to the person upstairs.”
Her 92-year-old mother, Barbara Rosacker Lehman SP '39, accompanied her daughter to the stadium event to celebrate her daughter's many achievements, which in the "Katie" spirit have so benefited women athletes. Barbara A. Lehman sees much of her mother's active, organizing, volunteering spirit in herself. Her mother, who was on the board of Alumnae Association for years, led many church activities and served as a sacristan till the age of 85. On Thursday, September 17, 2009, five days before her 92nd birthday, Barbara Rosacker Lehman was awarded a volunteer service award from the St. Paul Deanery Council of Catholic Women for her decades of service to Lumen Christi and St. Leo parishes in St. Paul. Of course, her daughter, Barbara Ann, attended her mother's award ceremony. "The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree," she quipped.
* With gratitude for the stadium-event photograph from Jeff Dehler, communications director of Robbinsdale Area Schools. and quotations provided to reporters Sue Webber, published in the Sun Newspapers, and Michael Bradley of Athletic Management. Clipping of Lehman and Bettendorf viewing the Butler Center pool from the May 2, 1994 edition of the Star Tribune.
Related Links:
Cooper High School Press Release