Winona State University Athletics

Lavonne Fiereck is widely considered a pioneer for women's athletics at Winona State, serving as WSU's Director of Women's Athletics from 1978 to 1984 while coaching for more than 20 years in three different sports. As head coach of the volleyball program from 1971 to 1991, Fiereck amassed more than 300 victories and received NAIA District 13 Coach of the Year honors in 1990 and Northern Sun Conference Coach of the Year in 1991. She helped guide 18 athletes to NSC All-Conference accolades, as well as 14 to the NAIA District 13 All-Region list. Fiereck also served as the women's tennis coach from 1969 to 1979, helping guide the No. 1 doubles team to back-to-back AIAW National Championships. Additionally, Fiereck was a key figure in starting the women's gymnastics program in 1969, helping lead the squad to a third place finish at the Minnesota state meet within the program's first six years. She served as President of the MAIAW in 1979 and 1980 and for her dedication to women's athletics, Fiereck received the Minnesota Breaking Barriers Award for Women's and Girls' Sports in 2000.