Montevideo High School - Thea Sletkolen Stay
West central Minnesota, 35 miles southwest of Willmar on #7
Years Represented: 1913-1935; 2009
Thea Sletkolan Stay died on June 11, 2009. Thea is featured in the book, Daughters of the Game, pp 62, 218-221.
The first Montevideo High School girls basketball team began in 1913. Thea played from 1931-35 and "was a one-girl scoring machine," according to Bruce Olson, staff writer for the Montevideo American-News. "Thea scored 15 more points in her senior season than Montevideo's opponents."
Teams practiced in the school gymnasium and played at the armory. Uniforms were maroon and gold. The school provided the uniforms that were wool pullover jerseys and bloomer-type pants. Thea said that the uniforms were hot and scratchy.
It was said that Thea rarely missed an opportunity to score and opponents failed to come up with a defense to stop her.
Montevideo played Appleton, Ortonville, Madison, Dawson and Clara City. Playoffs included the top two teams and the champion received a large trophy. Montevideo dominated the district from 1926-35.
The team was discontinued after the 1935 season. In 1936 the school began sponsorship of its Girls' Athletic Association (the recommended form of sports for girls until the 1970s)
In 1985, Thea was inducted into the Montevideo Hall of Fame during her 50th class reunion.
Thea was a teacher in one room schools until her family moved to Minneapolis. There she began a long-term association as host, manager, planner and trainer at Jax Cafe in northeast Minneapolis from 1951-1985.
The first Montevideo High School girls basketball team began in 1913. Thea played from 1931-35 and "was a one-girl scoring machine," according to Bruce Olson, staff writer for the Montevideo American-News. "Thea scored 15 more points in her senior season than Montevideo's opponents."
Teams practiced in the school gymnasium and played at the armory. Uniforms were maroon and gold. The school provided the uniforms that were wool pullover jerseys and bloomer-type pants. Thea said that the uniforms were hot and scratchy.
It was said that Thea rarely missed an opportunity to score and opponents failed to come up with a defense to stop her.
Montevideo played Appleton, Ortonville, Madison, Dawson and Clara City. Playoffs included the top two teams and the champion received a large trophy. Montevideo dominated the district from 1926-35.
The team was discontinued after the 1935 season. In 1936 the school began sponsorship of its Girls' Athletic Association (the recommended form of sports for girls until the 1970s)
In 1985, Thea was inducted into the Montevideo Hall of Fame during her 50th class reunion.
Thea was a teacher in one room schools until her family moved to Minneapolis. There she began a long-term association as host, manager, planner and trainer at Jax Cafe in northeast Minneapolis from 1951-1985.
Thea Sletkolen Stay
1935 champions - Thea, back row, left end