Joan Birkland, Class of 2001

Blessed with incredible athletic ability, Joan excelled in tennis, golf, and basketball. Despite the lack of sporting opportunities available to women at that time, she went beyond what was expected of girls in sports during her day.

Joan holds the distinction of twice winning the state golf and tennis titles in the same year, 1962 and 1966. She captured 21 major Colorado and Intermountain tennis titles in all, six singles and 15 doubles crowns.

She has been inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame, and the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame.

Joan was a national leader in the advancement of girls and women in sport, and served as Executive Director of Sportswomen of Colorado for decades until her death.