Brainerd High School Alumni Win Awards for Women’s Sports Media Coverage

Brainerd High School alumni recently won a national award for coverage of women’s sports in Minnesota.

Sherece “Shari” Lamke
Credit: Brainerd Public Schools

Sherece “Shari” Lamke has been named a recipient of Minnesota’s 2023 National Girls & Women in Sports Day Awards. This award honors and represents individuals, organizations and groups in women’s sport. Press According to her release, Lamke will be officially recognized on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, marking her 37th annual celebration of the event.

She will receive the Kwame McDonald Media Award at the event. Named after the civil rights activist and pioneer of women’s sports coverage, the award recognizes members of the media for their consistent reporting in support of women’s sports. As a leader and storyteller, Ramke highlights the achievements of women in Minnesota sports while also aiming to promote equity in women’s sports in her stories.

Lamke began his television career in 1982 on Twin Cities PBS. During her time there, she was even promoted to Managing Director of Production Services. She also helped launch her Minnesota channel and worked with the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota. Using data collected at the Tucker Center, Ramke created three documentaries of her, all nominated for regional Emmy Awards. In 2015, her documentary, Media Coverage and Female Athletes, won a Sports Documentary Emmy Award.

Beginning in 2021, Lamke will begin working for Pioneer PBS in Granite Falls as President and General Manager. She will continue to lead her production efforts at Pioneer PBS.

Since 1995, more than 600 Minnesota organizations, teams and individuals have been recognized for their commitment to equity in women’s sports. Each year, NGWSD-MN award winners are nominated by individuals and organizations from states and various sports platforms.