The Golden Gopher Fund hosted its annual Scholarship Banquet on October 24, welcoming hundreds of donors and student-athletes to the DQ Club Room at TCF Bank Stadium. While the event celebrated the achievements of Gopher student-athletes, it also highlighted the importance of investing in scholarships. Money generated through endowed scholarships provides critical support for the athletics department in covering its annual scholarship tuition bill, which is more than $10 million in 2016-17.
The evening featured a collection of speakers, video features, and award presentations, including recognitions for a pair of outstanding Gopher student-athletes. Lee Stecklein (women’s hockey) received the Patty Berg Award, and Brett Pfarr (wrestling) received the Henry L. Williams Award.
Following her freshman season with the Gophers, Stecklein took a redshirt year to train with U.S. National Team and won a silver medal at the 2014 Olympics. Since returning to school, she has collected two All-America honors and a collection of academic awards from the Big Ten and the WCHA for her work toward an entrepreneurial management degree. Stecklein wore the captain’s “C” last year, a rarity for a non-senior, and will reprise her role as captain for the team again this season.
As a junior last season, Pfarr had one of the greatest statistical years in program history, amassing a record of 40-4 and winning 25 matches with bonus points—wrestling terminology for several different forms of dominant victories. His success on the mat fueled one-half of a rare double-All-America year for Pfarr. An All-American wrestler, Pfarr also earned Academic All-American recognition for his work in the classroom as he pursues his degree in agricultural and food business management.
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