Joanne Bracker (May 3, 1945 – February 1, 2023) was an American college basketball coach. Bracker taught basketball during the late 1960s before becoming the women's basketball coach for Midland University in 1970. With the Midland Warriors, Bracker appeared multiple times at the NAIA Women's Basketball Championships for Division I and Division II between the 1980s to 2000s. Bracker's best performance with the team as head coach was a fourth-place finish at the 1985 Division I championship.

Bracker continued to coach with Midland until her retirement in 2012. After her retirement, Bracker held the record for most wins ever for a NAIA women's basketball coach with 736 wins and 403 losses. Apart from Midland, Bracker was a committee member that picked American women's basketball players for the 1991 Pan American Games, 1992 Summer Olympics, and 1996 Summer Olympics. Bracker was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Early life and education

In the mid-1940s, Bracker was born in Mondamin, Iowa.[1] Bracker began playing basketball as a forward during high school and was on the starting lineup for two years.[2] For her post-secondary education, Bracker continued playing basketball at Dana College and graduated with physical education and English majors in 1966. She continued her education with a master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1970.[3]

Career

During the late 1960s, Bracker taught physical education for children in Omaha, Nebraska, and Casper, Wyoming, before becoming an assistant for the women's basketball team at Northern Colorado.[4] In 1970, Bracker turned down a field hockey coaching position at Iowa State for a women's basketball coaching position at Midland University.[5] Between the 1980s to 2000s, the Midland Warriors appeared multiple times at the NAIA Women's Basketball Championships for Division I and Division II while Bracker was their head coach. Their best performance during this time period was a fourth-place finish at the 1985 Division I championship.[6]

In 2012, Bracker held the record for the most ever wins as a women's basketball coach in the NAIA when she retired with 736 wins and 403 losses.[7] While coaching, Bracker was an instructor in physical education with Midland before becoming an assistant professor in 1974.[8] After her retirement, Bracker continued teaching physical education with Midland.[7] Outside of Midland, Bracker was one of the committee members that selected American women's basketball competitors for the 1991 Pan American Games, 1992 Summer Olympics, and 1996 Summer Olympics.[9][10]

Awards and honors

In the early 1980s, Bracker was named into athletic halls of fame by Dana College and Midland University.[3][11] Apart from individual schools, Bracker was named into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996.[12] A few years later, she was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame upon its establishment in 1999.[13][14]

Personal life and death

Bracker was married and had a child.[5] She died on February 1, 2023, at the age of 77.[15]

References

  1. ^ Derowitsch, Mark (4 December 1994). "Pioneering coach gets 500th win". Lincoln Journal-Star. p. 2B.
  2. ^ Skalicky, Francis (16 January 1986). "Midland coach near the top of NAIA list". Fremont Tribune. p. B1.
  3. ^ a b Real, Tammy (15 October 1991). "Midland coach in Hall of Fame". Fremont Tribune. p. A1.
  4. ^ Skalicky 1986, pp. B1-B2
  5. ^ a b Reilley, Mike (November 30, 1988). "Choice was right for Midland coach". Lincoln Journal Star. p. 26.
  6. ^ "Bracker retires as Midland's women's basketball coach". Fremont Tribune. March 17, 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Midland's Bracker Retires as Head Coach". National Association of Collegiate Athletics. March 28, 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  8. ^ "Midland teachers promoted". Fremont Tribune. 31 October 1974. p. 16.
  9. ^ Taylor, Eric (4 June 1992). "Midland coach returns from Olympic tryouts". Fremont Tribune. p. B1.
  10. ^ Ellis, Brent (17 August 1996). "Olympic gold-medal gratifies coach". Fremont Tribune. p. B1.
  11. ^ "Midland University Athletics - Hall of Fame - Joanne Bracker". Midland University. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  12. ^ "Joanne Bracker". National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  13. ^ Grasso, John (2011). Historical Dictionary of Basketball. Lanham: The Scarecrow Press. pp. 453, 455. ISBN 9780810867635. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  14. ^ "Joanne Bracker". Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  15. ^ "Joanne Bracker". Ludvigsen Mortuary. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
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