Remembering Dee Watson
Editor’s note: Dee Watson served UND for 36 years, from 1974 to 2010, and taught health, physical education and recreation at UND from 1982 until her retirement. She was awarded the title of Assistant Professor Emeritus by then-President Robert Kelley.
The following was published on fightinghawks.com on Wednesday, Aug. 2.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota Athletics Department and women’s basketball program mourn the loss of Dee Watson, who passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 27. She was 80.
“We were all saddened by the news of Dee’s passing,” said Director of Athletics Bill Chaves. “Our thoughts are with the Watson family during this difficult time. Dee was instrumental in providing the building blocks for an iconic women’s basketball program and for that we are forever grateful.”
Watson was a pioneer for women’s basketball at the University of North Dakota, serving as the first head coach in program’s history from 1974-79. Over her tenure, she finished with a 54-72 record and guided the Fighting Sioux to their first two winning seasons while the team was a member of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW).
We are heartbroken to hear of the loss of Coach Dee Watson,” said UND head women’s basketball coach Mallory Bernhard. “Dee was a pioneer for North Dakota women’s basketball and someone who always had a great passion not only for our sport but for women in athletics. We are fortunate to have had her support for many years following her coaching career as well. Dee will be missed by many, but her impact and legacy will not be forgotten.”
Watson coached the first player to receive regional and national attention for the program, as Becky Boll paced the Sioux to an 18-9 record in 1975-76. Boll averaged a double-double and became the first player to score 30-points in a game for UND.
A celebration of life will be at a later date.
Editor’s note: The following was published upon Watson’s retirement and was provided to University Letter by Professor Emeritus Dennis Caine, Kinesiology and Public Health.
Dee learned early in life about working hard. She and her three sisters grew up doing all the farm work with their mom and dad near Graettering, Iowa. She attended a one-room country school through 4th grade, then finished junior and senior high school at Rindsted where she played interscholastic basketball and softball. One of her fondest memories is playing on the softball team with her three sisters the summer after she finished high school.
Dee earned a BA in physical education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1965. She spent three years teaching junior and senior high school girls’ physical education in Storm Lake, Iowa, before pursuing a MA (1970) in physical education and recreation from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado, where she also coached women’s basketball and served as the Women’s Recreation Association director.
From 1970 to 1973, Dee taught and coached basketball, track and field and was the WRA and cheerleader advisor at Moorhead State University. UND recruited her in August 1974 to coach women’s basketball (1974-79) and field hockey (1974-76). A fond memory of this time was going from last to second place and having a respectable field hockey team.
Dee officiated basketball, softball and field hockey at the local, state, regional and national level. She also served as NSHEA president of the North Dakota Higher Education Association, as well as chairman of the history section of Central District AAHPERD.
Dee conducted CPR/First Aid workshops on campus and for teachers around the state, including in Bowman, Bismarck, Minot, Devils Lake and Grand Forks.
