OL Reign Legend: Jeanne Helfer, the First Woman to Receive an Athletic Scholarship at Washington State University

The Legends Campaign, a partnership between OL Reign and Starbucks, honors women for their extraordinary contributions to our community in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Prior to the August 14th match against NJ/NY Gotham FC, OL Reign recognized Jeanne Helfer, the first woman to receive an athletic scholarship at Washington State University for her extraordinary work in women’s sports.

Helfer, a multi-sport athlete growing up, was the first ever woman to receive an athletic scholarship from Washington State University. A trailblazer for women in sports, Helfer got her start in Walla Walla, Washington, where she was grateful to have many opportunities to play on organized sports teams.  

“It was a very interesting time. Looking back on it now, you see it a lot different than you did back then. One of my greatest advantages was the community I grew up in. They were ahead with regards to girls and women in sports. I played organized basketball in elementary leagues, as early as the third grade. When I played at Washington State, some of my teammates never had opportunities to play until their high school years. So, my path was different than most,” shared Helfer.

Helfer viewed herself as a misfit growing up. Though her community was supportive, she struggled with a speech impediment and stood out as a “tomboy” among her peers. Through those struggles, sports were escape. On the court, things came easy to her.

“I was on teams when I was younger,” said Helfer. “But honestly, I also just joined in with the boys. Once I went onto high school, I realized a little bit more that I had opportunities that other girls did not.”

She went to state tournaments three separate times in high school and even traveled around an hour to compete in middle school, something that she would realize was uncommon later in her career.

“I was so blessed to have the support to play growing up. Though I had those opportunities, I did notice that things weren’t equal to the boy’s team,” Helfer shared, citing differences in resources and equipment. “Rather than focus on what we didn’t have, we focused on what we did have.”

Helfer’s college career was born after she attended some summer basketball camps. There, she caught the attention of the WSU men’s basketball coach, who offered her an athletic scholarship to play basketball at WSU. This was a historic offer, as no woman had received an athletic scholarship to WSU before.

At WSU, she set multiple school records as one of the most gifted scorers in Cougar history. She was named to the first-team all-conference four times and three times all-region. Just as prolific in track, she set the WSU javelin record and finished just one spot short of the 1980 Olympic team.

“As I went through my experience at Washington State, I was confronted with the real world, which didn’t offer as many opportunities for women as the community I grew up in. The women had to fight for Title IX and the school wasn’t exactly helping. Because of the stand that the women at WSU took, with a lawsuit and all, I was the recipient of so much progress in the time I was there.”

After completing her college career, Helfer pivoted into the teaching and coaching space, finding success as a coach and mentor for many students and athletes. Her basketball teams finished in the top four at state eight times, including three state championships and a runner-up finish. For her incredible accomplishments throughout her career, Helfer has been inducted in several hall of fames, including the first Hooptown Hall of Fame, the WIAA Hall of Fame, the Inland Northwest Sports Hall of Fame and the Pac-12 Hall of Honor

“I’ve always looked at my competitions and athletic accomplishments as blessings. It’s one step closer to what my mission and goal is for doing it all in the first place. I was a sick little girl. Doctors told my mom that I would never be able to run and jump like the other girls, but I overcame that,” she said.

Through her experiences, Helfer has come up with advice to share to young women. To Helfer, it’s simple.

“Don’t give up. Stick to it...keep doing what you are doing, and people will notice. Don’t be afraid to have a voice and be different.”

To conclude, Helfer shared that it was truly humbling to be honored as an OL Reign Legend.

“It’s mind boggling to me. I don’t really see myself as a Legend. It’s remarkable because I never played, or coached soccer and I’ve coached nearly every sport for women. It’s a true honor to be recognized by this team.”