Marquette University Athletics
Ruth Stromila Receives Women' Sports Leader Award
2/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MILWAUKEE ? The Marquette University Athletics Department will honor Ruth Stromila with its 10th annual Milwaukee Women?s Sports Leader award, sponsored by the university and Conference USA.
Stromila will receive the award at a halftime ceremony during the February 15 women?s basketball game between Marquette and Saint Louis at the Al McGuire Center. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
This award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the development of girls and women?s sports in the Milwaukee area. Stromila, a teacher of physical education, has coached basketball, tennis, and golf during her 40 years at Milwaukee Pius XI High School.
Stromila has been a pioneer in the development of girls? athletics at Pius and in the state of Wisconsin and was instrumental in the growth and strength of the program from its conception to the present. Before a conference was ever organized, Stromila coached Pius girls? sports teams in the Milwaukee Recreation Program. She served as the head girls? basketball coach from 1974-79 and lead teams to the state tournament. She was also the girls? varsity tennis coach from 1973-83, winning conference championships in 1976, 1977, and 1979, with her first doubles team winning the state title in 1977. In 1997, she demonstrated her leadership in girls? athletics once again by organizing and co-coaching the school?s first girls? golf team.
?We are thrilled that an educator like Ruth was nominated for our award this year,? Associate Athletics Director Sarah Bobert said. ?She represents a career of service to young women and a creator of change leading to opportunity for them to participate.?
Stromila received bachelor?s and master?s degrees from the University of Wisconsin?LaCrosse.
Previous winners of the award include: Lisa Bromley (2003), Joan Giannou (2002), Carol Wolter (2001), David Flanagan (2000), Stacey Roberts (1999), Myrtle Jeske (1998), Mary Ryan (1997), Keith Noll (1996), and Shirley Martin (1995).
