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Minerva Stern was a pioneer in the advancement of women’s athletic activities at Kutztown. Stern coached all women’s sports at Kutztown between 1928 and 1952. Upon her arrival at KU, Stern expanded interclass games for women in field hockey, basketball, baseball and tennis. She also provided the first opportunities for women in swimming and track, and headed several girls’ clubs including the Hiking Club and the Girl Scouts. Stern is credited with the development of the Girls’ Athletic Association (GAA), a group that awarded pins, numerals or letters to women through a complex system of points. The GAA, later renamed the Women’s Athletic Association, boomed in size under Stern. In the mid-1930s, Stern developed a club for the early female superstars known as Tau Kappa. The honorary athletic sorority promoted good sportsmanship and the improvement of techniques in various athletic activities. During World War II, Stern took a Kutztown select team to nearby colleges for the first ever women’s intercollegiate competition. Stern passed away shortly after her tenure at KU. Her legacy was carried on by fellow Hall of Famer Ruth Mathias.
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