Indiana University announced that Debbie Millbern Powers will be honored with the Leanne Grotke Award, bestowed on a living person who has made exceptionally outstanding contributions to Indiana University’s women’s athletics program. It is the highest honor of its kind given by the university. The first female athlete in IU history to be awarded the Elvis J. Stahr Distinguished Senior Award,Debbie excelled in both
academics and athletics. Powers played basketball for IU from 1969 to 1973, and softball and field hockey from 1971 to 1972. She was captain and leading scorer of the 1973 basketball team, leading her teammates to the Final Four. After graduation, Powers was drafted to play in the first professional women’s basketball league. Instead, she pursued a career in teaching and coaching, as Title IX brought new athletic opportunities to women across the nation. She led the Muncie Northside High School volleyball team to two state championships—winning the 1975 title against a team with boys—before accepting the head women’s basketball coaching position at Ball State University. She retired from Ball State in 2006, and has become a celebrated author in the intervening years. Her memoir, Meeting Her Match, won the prestigious Royal Palm Literary Award. The Grotke awards banquet and ceremony will be Friday, Sept. 13, in IU’s Henke Hall of Champions.
academics and athletics. Powers played basketball for IU from 1969 to 1973, and softball and field hockey from 1971 to 1972. She was captain and leading scorer of the 1973 basketball team, leading her teammates to the Final Four. After graduation, Powers was drafted to play in the first professional women’s basketball league. Instead, she pursued a career in teaching and coaching, as Title IX brought new athletic opportunities to women across the nation. She led the Muncie Northside High School volleyball team to two state championships—winning the 1975 title against a team with boys—before accepting the head women’s basketball coaching position at Ball State University. She retired from Ball State in 2006, and has become a celebrated author in the intervening years. Her memoir, Meeting Her Match, won the prestigious Royal Palm Literary Award. The Grotke awards banquet and ceremony will be Friday, Sept. 13, in IU’s Henke Hall of Champions.
