Balder-Lanoue and Hughes honored for leadership

Around Minnesota, there are plenty of women who are constantly paving the way for girls and women to have opportunities in sports.

On Feb. 2, 15 women around the state will be recognized at the National Girls and Women in Sports Day – Minnesota Celebration.

Two of these women have played huge roles at the College of St. Benedict for decades.

CSB cross country and track and field coach Robin Balder-Lanoue received a Breaking Barriers award, while former CSB physical education department chair and longtime CSB athletics supporter Margy Retica Hughes is set to receive the Marie Berg Education Award.

Balder-Lanoue is a 1991 graduate of CSB and ran four years of cross country and track for the Bennies. A talented runner, Balder-Lanoue was named All-MIAC for track and field in 1990 and 1991. Immediately after college, she got involved in coaching.

In 1991 she became the head nordic ski coach at Monticello High School as well as being an assistant coach for the Monticello cross country and track and field teams.

In 1997, CSB hired Balder-Lanoue to be the head cross country coach.

She also served as a CSB assistant track coach from 1997 to 1999 before taking over the track and field program as well.

Coaching has been all about helping her athletes grow in confidence.

“Seeing that growth truly fills me up and inspires me on a daily basis,” Balder-Lanoue said.

Along with coaching, Balder-Lanoue co-founded Baba Yaga, an all-women relay team in 1995.

Baba Yaga has been very successful, winning the Hood to Coast relay eight times.

They were also the first all-women’s team to finish at the 2021 Ragnar Minnesota Relay.

Balder-Lanoue has been instrumental in leading and inspiring women through the CSB cross country and track and field programs.

“I let them know I believe in them even if they do not believe in themselves,” Balder-Lanoue said, “Everyone is motivated differently. I try to find how everyone is motivated differently.”

Another woman who helped build the foundation for CSB athletics was Margy Retica Hughes.

When Hughes started working at CSB in the mid 1960s, athletics were seen as recreational activities and finances were very limited.

Through her position as the CSB physical education department chair, Hughes created many positions for full-time athletics coaches dedicated solely to coaching.

Additionally, Hughes was mostly responsible for getting CSB into the MIAC in the 1985-86 school year.

This really put CSB athletics on the map for many years to come.

Hughes was also instrumental in the construction of the CSB swimming pool and Claire Lynch hall.

Many female athletes throughout the years have admired Hughes’s leadership.

“I also love to be honored on the same day as Margy Hughes because she was an incredible mentor for me when I was a student at CSB and when I came back to coach,” Balder-Lanoue said.

After her retirement in 2003, Hughes has been one of the biggest supporters of CSB athletics, hardly ever missing a CSB home contest.

Even after her retirement, Hughes’s impact on CSB athletics is felt through every CSB athletic event.

“Even after my retirement of 18 years from CSB, I continue to follow the women’s athletics competition at CSB,” Hughes said.