Award Honorees

Janet (Harrington) Jopp ‘61 was a trailblazer for women’s sports, playing a pioneering role in expanding athletic opportunities for female students at Minnetonka High School. Through her leadership as president of the Girls’ Athletic Association, she helped bring intramural sports for girls to life, opening doors for future generations of athletes. 

Jopp had always been active. She played basketball and volleyball, participated in track and field and played hockey in her free time. At school, however, girls had no organized sports in which to compete.

“There were no sports for girls, and here I am, an athlete. I could outshoot most boys at basketball. I could beat them at running. I could beat them at almost everything. I’m capable, and that’s what I showed,” Jopp said. “We had to have their permission to get things organized and set up. It took a couple years, but it was worthwhile.”

Jopp worked with the school principal, legislators and physical education teacher Francis Wiitala to make intramural sports available to female students. Volleyball was introduced first, followed the next year by basketball—Jopp’s favorite sport.Gaining approval was only part of the challenge. Jopp also had to encourage girls to participate at a time when female athletes received little recognition or support. Her work culminated in a historic achievement when she became Minnetonka’s first female student to receive a varsity letter for athletic accomplishment.

After graduating, Jopp continued creating opportunities for young women. An avid outdoorswoman who felt at home in the mountains, she organized Boundary Waters adventures and extended backpacking trips for high school- and college-age women.

“I decided that they had to have something just for them,” Jopp said. “I started taking kids on two-week backpacking trips to the mountains, kids in high school and college. I did that for 30 years.”

Those trips reflected the adventurous spirit that guided Jopp throughout her life and her commitment to helping others discover their capabilities. Whether advocating for athletes at Minnetonka or leading young women through the wilderness, she was willing to recognize what was missing and step forward to create it.

"I am adventurer," said Jopp. "I've done things all over the world because I like plugging in where people need help. My personal challenge is being aware."