Born: 1945 (Mondamin, Iowa)
Died: 2023
Joanne Bracker (May 3, 1945 – February 1, 2023) was an American college basketball coach. She made significant contributions to the advancement of women’s basketball and left a lasting impact on the sport.
Early Life and Education:
Bracker was born in Mondamin, Iowa in the mid-1940s. She developed a passion for basketball during her high school years and played as a forward, securing a spot on the starting lineup for two years. Bracker pursued her love for the sport and continued playing basketball at Dana College. She graduated from Dana College in 1966 with majors in physical education and English. Bracker went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1970.
Career:
In the late 1960s, Bracker began her career teaching physical education for children in Omaha, Nebraska, and Casper, Wyoming. She then transitioned into coaching as an assistant for the women’s basketball team at Northern Colorado. In 1970, Bracker made a significant decision, declining a field hockey coaching position at Iowa State to become the women’s basketball coach at Midland University.
During her time as the head coach of the Midland Warriors, Bracker led the team to several appearances at the NAIA Women’s Basketball Championships for Division I and Division II between the 1980s and 2000s. One of her notable achievements was a fourth-place finish at the 1985 Division I championship. Bracker’s coaching prowess extended beyond Midland, as she was selected as a committee member to pick American women’s basketball players for the 1991 Pan American Games, 1992 Summer Olympics, and 1996 Summer Olympics.
With an impressive record of 736 wins and 403 losses, Bracker retired from coaching in 2012. She held the record for the most wins ever for a NAIA women’s basketball coach at the time of her retirement. Even after retiring, Bracker continued to teach physical education at Midland University.
Awards and Honors:
Bracker received recognition for her significant contributions to the world of women’s basketball. In the early 1980s, she was inducted into the athletic halls of fame of both Dana College and Midland University. In 1996, she was further honored by being inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. Three years later, in 1999, Bracker was once again celebrated for her accomplishments as she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Joanne Bracker’s dedication to coaching and her undeniable impact on women’s basketball make her an influential figure in the sport’s history. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations of athletes and contributes to the ongoing growth and recognition of women in sports.
Awards:
– Inductee, Dana College Athletic Hall of Fame (early 1980s)
– Inductee, Midland University Athletic Hall of Fame (early 1980s)
– Inductee, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame (1996)
– Inductee, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (1999)