Thursday, August 13, 2020

Unearthed Archives: The 1st All Wisconsin Girls Match

Our historical investigation staff recently unearthed photographs of the 1st All Wisconsin high school girls rugby match.  They were located in a box in the basement of the old league offices next to the washing machine.

There had been earlier matches in Wisconsin where DSHA hosted Wayzata (MN) and where DSHA played Marquette University's B side as well as UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater.   But this was the first match between two high school sides.  

Dan Chanen was head coach of the first DSHA team.  Linda Niemela coached the Krusaders girls team, spelled with a K because they were not yet officially recognized by CMHS.

They played a home and away series in the fall of 1998.  From the very beginning it was a special rivalry.  Coach's homes were targeted.  And a wonderful first after-match social occurred, which was something these high school athletes and trailblazers had never experienced until that moment.






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