Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame honors 2026 inductees
Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame President Mark Hellenack welcomed guests to the gala event. He was also honored as a 2026 inductee for his years of contribution to lacrosse in Minnesota. (Photos by Emily Vojtech)
By Emily Vojtech
The Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame held an event honoring their 2026 class of Hall of Fame inductees last Sunday, September 27, at Rush Creek golf course in Maple Grove. Members of the lacrosse community in Minnesota gathered to support coaches, players, referees and contributors to traditional and modern lacrosse in Minnesota.
Inductees along with Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame board members gave speeches about lacrosse in Minnesota.
2026 Inductees include: Dave White – Official, Dr. Janet Holdsworth – Coach/Contributor, Rob Horn – Coach, Holly Souza – Umpire, Debra Wood – Coach/Contributor, Mark Hellenack – Contributor, President of Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Jane Manning – Player, Ryan McNamara – Player, Keith Burke – Unsung Hero Award, Mary Scott Hunter – Unsung Hero Award.
Rob Horn thanked his family for their support during his long coaching career. “What an amazing night and what an amazing way to honor the sport,” he shared.Mary Scott Hunter shared her passion for the game from her involvement with the Carleton College women’s lacrosse club to becoming an umpire.“Back in my day we played lacrosse on grass fields, some people still had wooden sticks and we wore kilts. It’s interesting to see how much the game has evolved,” Jane Manning shared as she recalled her playing career. Keith P. Burke shared memories of playing lacrosse locally for Carleton’s men’s lacrosse club and eventually playing for rival team, Twin City’s men’s lacrosse club.Dave White shared memories of his long history with lacrosse from playing lacrosse, to becoming an official. “When the game did its explosion in the year 2000, we officials became a rare commodity, hard to find… I traveled a lot,” he recalled. “32 years ago I flew from Pennsylvania to Minnesota to begin a new teaching position at the Blake School. I thought I was leaving lacrosse behind,” Debra Wood shared as she spoke about her beginnings with Blake Girls Lacrosse.Janet Holdsworth shared stories of the early days of girl’s and women’s lacrosse in Minnesota, from fields with no boundaries to filling puddles on fields with cat litter to be able to play.Howard Rogers gave an introductory speech about the 2026 Howard Rogers Unsung Hero Award Winner Keith P. Burke. Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame Board Member, Kathryn Knippenberg (known as KK) introduced multiple inductees and gave a speech about Holly Souza’s impact on lacrosse as Souza was unable to attend. Teammates of Ryan McNamara shared his speech in his absence. McNamara played collegiately at Marquette and went on to play professional lacrosse in the PLL (Professional Lacrosse League).
The 2026 Dr.Dan Ninham Indigenous Lacrosse Award Winners include: Franky Jackson, Dave Bezhigoogaabow Butler, Sherwin Obi, Bryan Bear Botso, and Ben Spears.
“I thank everybody from the bottom of my heart for this award,” Sherwin Obi said. Obi has been involved in traditional and modern lacrosse in Minnesota.Butler shared his beginnings making traditional lacrosse sticks and his ability to make a positive impact on others, including his students at Minneapolis South High School. Franky Jackson – Promoter and Coach, was unable to attend, his daughter gave a speech on his behalf. “This game was always in our community, long before it was an ivy league sport,” Bryan Bear Botso said as he gave an emotional thank you speech for his recognition. Ben Spears shared his story and how he started making traditional wooden lacrosse sticks.
The 2026 Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame Art Ayers Grow the Game in Outstate Minnesota Award went to Andy Holack and Pat O’Connell from Duluth.
Holack (left) and O’Connell (right) spoke about the beginnings of growing lacrosse in the Duluth area and emphasizing fun.
Inductees who were in attendance gave speeches about their passion for the game of lacrosse, their experience in the Minnesota Lacrosse community, and their gratitude for being recognized. For those who could not attend, remarks were given by people who knew them about their outstanding contributions to the game of lacrosse in Minnesota.
Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame Board Member and expert in Minnesota Lacrosse history, Alan Childs spoke about the beginnings of lacrosse in Minnesota and the importance of honoring that history.
There was also a live auction at the event, with proceeds going to the Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame to support their continued vision of recognition, honor, access, community development, and more.
Members of the lacrosse community and families of inductees came together to celebrate the amazing contributions to lacrosse the 2026 class of inductees have made.
The Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame works to recognize historic players, coaches, umpires and other contributors to lacrosse in Minnesota, while offering support to the current Minnesota Lacrosse community and helping the game grow.
To learn more information about the 2026 inductees, the Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame, and how to support them and their vision, visit their website at mnlacrossehof.org
