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M State and the Spartan Athletic Department lost a dear friend as Ann Williams passed away on Saturday, January 20. Coach Williams left an indelible mark on Spartan athletics during her 34-year career at M State’s Fergus Falls campus. She reached the 500-victory level in both basketball and volleyball during her coaching tenure, retiring as volleyball coach in 2006 with a record of 523-431 and as basketball coach in 2011 with a 514-283 record. She also coached softball from 1977-85.
The high point of her basketball coaching career came during the 2000-01 season, when her eight-player team defeated Manhattan College of New York for the NJCAA Division III National Championship. The Spartans on the MCAC (MCCC) championship in 1984-85, and Williams was the Minnesota College Athletic Conference’s basketball Coach of the Year in 1989, 2000 and 2001. Her volleyball teams won the Region XIII title in 2003 and 2004, and the Spartans were the NJCA Division III national runner-up in 2004.
Williams earned degrees in biology and physical education at Ball State University in her native Indiana and came to M State in 1977 after teaching junior and senior high school in communities in Michigan, South Carolina and Indiana. In addition to coaching, she also taught science at M State. We are so thankful for her contributions to our M State. She will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life will be livestreamed on Saturday, January 27 at 10:00am on First Baptist Church, Surfside Beach Facebook Page Live. Visit Ann’s page to share a memory or send condolences to the family, read the obituary, and find the upcoming events. Go to www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com.