John's Journal: Basketball Officiating History Made In Prinsburg

This article is posted here with permission of the West Central Tribune. It was written by Michael Lyne, who also is the photographer. The original story can be viewed here: https://www.wctrib.com/sports/prep/girls-basketball-roundup-headline-74 

PRINSBURG — There are many ways to give back to local communities. But, for a local trio of female officials who made history Tuesday, they contribute to the functionality of area basketball.

Tory Brouwer, Maret Gjerde and Bri Henjum joined forces to form the first all-female officiating crew in the Western Minnesota Officials Association’s history in a non-conference girls basketball game between Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa and Central Minnesota Christian School.

The Bluejays earned a 74-53 victory against BBE behind a 23-point, nine-rebound, eight-assist and five-steal night from sophomore guard Sienna Duininck.

Brouwer, Gjerde and Henjum are three of the five female officials currently in the WMOA, according to Greg Snow, a male official who is in his 10th year with the association. He said there were zero female officials in the WMOA “four short years ago.”

“We are proud of this because we have worked hard to be an inclusive and inviting association for female officials,” Snow said. “This trio of young women have worked hard to make it so that we are not only comfortable, but proud to send them out together to work a game.”

Brouwer is a 2006 MACCRAY High School grad and 2010 Southwest Minnesota State University graduate, where she excelled as a volleyball player and earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science. She went on to gain a master’s degree in psychology from Cameron University in 2012 before finishing her schooling with a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of the Incarnate Word in 2016.

Brouwer recently wrapped up her third season as head coach for the MACCRAY volleyball team and is a doctor of physical therapy at CentraCare’s Willmar Skylark Clinic.

“It’s a great way to give back to the athletes and be involved,” said Brouwer, who is in her second year of officiating. “You want to go out there and do your best for these kids.”

Gjerde is a 2021 graduate of Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg High School, where she was a Hengstler-Ranweiler Award nominee, and is currently a senior studying biochemistry at St. Catherine University in St. Paul. Her goal is to attend medical school.

“These kids wouldn’t be able to play these games without us refs,” said Gjerde, who is in her third year of officiating, “so being able to do that for the athletes, you get reassurance.”

Henjum, the veteran of the trio, was the only female in the WMOA when she joined. The 2014 New London-Spicer High School graduate earned her undergraduate degree in sports management at North Dakota State University in 2018 before earning a master’s degree in communications from Georgia Southern University in 2020. She currently serves as a legal assistant for Kandiyohi County.

“It’s awesome,” Henjum said of being part of WMOA’s first all-female officiating crew. “I like the high-school athletic atmosphere. I’ve played sports all throughout my years as a three-sport athlete. I always loved being in the gym and on the field. I wanted to try to give the kids the same experience that I had when I was playing.”

The trio operates in an industry dominated by males. They said they understand that their representation is important, especially in a state where officials are increasingly scarce.

“There genuinely is a shortage,” Brouwer said. “If somebody had questions about it or was intrigued and wanted to do it, don’t hesitate to find one of us or reach out.”

Gjerde added, “It’s more rewarding to actually do the officiating than to get the money. The money is great but I don’t think I could ever give this up… I enjoy it too much.”