ST. PAUL, Minn. – Former St. Olaf College student-athlete and coach Ruth Bjorlie Neuger '80 received the Breaking Barriers Award as part of the 2026 National Girls & Women in Sports Day-Minnesota celebration on Wednesday at the Minnesota History Center.

A former three-sport student-athlete and head softball coach at St. Olaf, Neuger was among a group of 11 individuals in seven separate award categories honored at the National Girls & Women in Sports Day-MN Celebration. The event can be viewed on demand here.

After being part of the first group of girls who had the opportunity to compete on sports teams at St. Paul Johnson High School, Neuger played volleyball, basketball, and softball at St. Olaf, becoming the first female student-athlete to earn 12 varsity letters as an Ole. As a senior, she was an all-state selection in volleyball and was co-captain of the softball team. After graduating in 1980, she stayed at St. Olaf as an assistant coach in volleyball, basketball, and softball, making her one of the first female coaches in the department.

Neuger returned to St. Olaf in 2000 as an assistant softball coach after stepping away to raise her family. In 2005, she was elevated to head coach and went on to win 166 games from 2005-16. In 2010, Neuger was named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Coach of the Year after leading the Oles to their first playoff appearance in 15 years. She also stepped in as the head junior varsity women's soccer coach and varsity assistant coach and was inducted into the St. Olaf Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.