. I've never gotten any negative vibes regarding my sexuality from the league or the players. What a thrill. But in 1997, the NBA world was a much different place for Violet Palmer who along with Dee Kantner became the first women referees in league history. Looking forward to #6 this year in Tampa Bay. [14] During her time with the NBA, she was the Supervisor of Officials for the Women's National Basketball Association from 1997 to 1998. I look over and see Dee Kantner. "Can't pat them on the butt anymore," Michael Jordan told the Chicago Tribune upon learning of her hiring. He previously worked at the Standard-Speaker in Hazleton, where he was raised. Kantner left engineering in 1984 when she was hired as an NCAA Division I official. We didnt miss a beat.. Essentially, it has created more opportunities for female athletes, such as Kantner, who went on to play field hockey at Pitt and who has been a distinguished basketball official for almost 40 years. Dee Kantner has been breaking down barriers for women in sports her entire life. Even if the newposition, as Dahlem recalled, couldbe so overwhelming at times thatit sometimes brought Courteau totears. That was it. And as the first to reach this plateau since, she's turned around and served a similarly important role for those following her. She was good when therewas a discrepancy because shewould be able to settle peopledown and talk it out, he said. I grew up watching her.". Fans of Rihanna have since praised the star for swiftly dropping the influencer from Savage X Fenty and now, some critics on social media are demanding for Fletcher to come forward with an apology, including actress LisaRaye. Great story. and an opportunity for me to go back into the archives. All five women said they'd absolutely recommend refereeing both men's and women's basketball to any young woman with the drive and dedication. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Kantner spent her childhood in Reading, Pennsylvania. I knew of June, ofcourse, and I was definitelyafraid of meeting her. When you say, Coach, what are you seeing that Im not seeing? people dont realize thats a powerful statement, Courteau said. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. "He passed today at 2:22 p.m. PT," Gareth Kantner said. Hard workers just work hard and let their results speak for themselves." Kantner remained with the NBA until she was fired in 2002. Youre going to learn rightnow that Im an emotionalGreek, she said as her voicestarted cracking. Kantner started with the Southern Conference before appearing in the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference throughout the 1990s. Anyway, as part of our introduction to the ACC, we're attending the Tournament in Greensboro. Eventually, it's going to catch up with you. The NBA, like the society it's part of, inches ever closer to true equity. Occasionally,she worked under a great dealof pressure. That quote crystalized perfectlywhat Courteau tried to instill duringher many years of excellence asboth a rules master and a bridge ofcommunication with irate coaches andplayers. I turned around and it's Dee! It was hard tosee that happen, but once wegot all that emotion out, it waspick up the pieces and figureout how to move forward.. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of all the cookies. Kay Yow Cancer Fund. January 29, 2016. According to Palmer, rumors indicated it was because some men on the NCAA Committee disapproved. I can honestly say that after being around them and getting comments like 'why are you here?' Officiating In Perspective with Barry Mano, After 51 years, official Jim Brackey has no plans to quit anytime soon, Ohio health order OKs contact competition in high school sports, Next Level Softball Umpiring Free Email Series, Sports Officiating Summit Registration Now Open, 2023 National Officiating Survey Powered by Referee.com, Girls wrestler Trinity Mowery also standing her ground as junior referee, NCAA panel eyes shorter football games, cites player safety, How a new MLB rule could change baseball games this season. [19] During 1993, she was scheduled to work as a referee during the qualification of the U.S. Olympic Festival. View. And there was definitely some uncertainty amongst coaches and players about how to treat me on the court. Outside of the NCAA, Kantner was one of the first women referees in the National Basketball Association from 1997 to 2002. No egos allowed,remember? By the time we came along, those opportunities did exist and I didnt realize how bad it had been.. Weve talked about itand we said Im better becauseof her and shes better becauseof me.. NBA officiating director Ed Rush said referee Jim Kinsey also was dismissed, according to Bloomberg. ESPN was unable to obtain comment from Kantner, 60, for this story. Our six experts have officiated a combined 152 . Dee Kantners income source is mostly from being a successful . Youve been watching whattheyve been calling, youvegot the tempo and the tone,just warm up, Courteau said. Kantner and Violet Palmer joined the NBA's officiating staff in Sureenough, I miss a lane violationbecause Im listening to him! Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Shemarked, Good crews are blends ofpersonalities; someone to lead thecharge, someone to hold somethingin reserve; someone to pick a fight,someone to make peace; someoneto think things through, someone tocharge ahead without thinking somehow, all this must mesh. AndCourteau also highlighted the passage,If you dont like some person in theboat, you have to learn to like them. Simone Jelks, the first Black woman hired in this role since Palmer herself, was also one of several women to attend Palmer's yearly refereeing camps before reaching the NBA level (such camps are common in the refereeing world, both for development and scouting; Palmer's is open to all collegiate officials). For me, I had a hard timeseparating being in awe of theofficial and being in awe of theperson.. Outside of the NCAA, Kantner was a referee at the 1998 FIBA World Championship for Women, 2000 Summer Olympics and the Continental Basketball Association. That's why, a few weeks ago, she made the difficult decision to retire. My mother and dad lived two houses away from my mothers sister, Auntie Zera. And to the people who run the NBA's officiating program, efforts in recent years to open recruiting pathways and increase diversity are far from merely symbolic: They're practical for a league always striving to improve. I openedthe door and this is going tosound real hokey, but it wasliterally love at first sight. Dee reffed the UNC game tonite. [9][18], Outside of the NCAA, Kantner has also worked as a referee for the Continental Basketball Association. Their two predecessors were Dee Kantner and Violet Palmer. But Palmer and Kantner's influence on today's generation is immense and undeniable. My face is seriously laughing. It put tears in her eyes "that someone would actually put me in that class of people." Paul Kantner in 2008, photo by Mike Krepka for The Chronicle. [13], In 1997, Kantner was hired as one of the first women referees in the National Basketball Association alongside Violet Palmer. 29 May 1997 Jesse Timmedequas, found guilty of rape / murder of Megan Kanka, 7. Could she be difficult? Take careof the game. And they bothlooked at me, they get a grin ontheir faces and they said, Wevegot this, June. And then wentout there and nailed it. Please try again. Legitimate acceptance has come in waves. Seth Kantner is an American bestselling author, wildlife photographer and a commercial fisherman. Tennessee Titan. Peter Jackel is an award-winningsportswriter from Racine, Wis. [10], Kantner was a referee for six conferences simultaneously in 1992, such as the Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference. Itdoesnt matter if youre a girlor a boy. My dad was a uniqueguy. I turned around and I said tohim, Andy, you have a choice. I want toread my book! She kept interruptingme over and over and over again. Decided to get a bite to eat and a drink at a local establishment. Kantner only refereed in the NBA until 2002, leaving Palmer to be the lone female official until Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling became a full . Stu Jackson reflected on his road that ended at Saturday night's induction banquet at the . Jul 2018 - Present4 years 8 months. And now I think (NBA commissioner) Adam Silver is on board completely to make sure thats being addressed.. Growing up on a corner lot at1689 Barclay St., in Maplewood,a suburb of St. Paul, with oldersiblings Mick, Sharon andBill, Courteau has a mentalscrapbook of memories withnumerous relatives who were inher life. . Outside of the NCAA, Kantner was one of the first women referees in the National Basketball Association from 1997 to 2002. . But Courteau has never been one to rest on her laurels and she used that highlighter extensively as she turned the pages of the book in search of potential teaching points and drove Teresa nuts as her wife was trying to read a book of her own at that poolside four years ago. This was when she was a NBA ref. Join Us in the Conversation. Lifelong bonds have been formed within this group. When we see one referee get some type of accolade, we highlight it on our pages on social media. After all, she could have stayed in women's basketball, where she was one of the top officials in the college world. NEW YORK -- Dee Kantner, one of the NBA's two female referees, has been fired, the NBA said Monday. At 61 years old, Dee Kantner height not available right now. In that moment, history was made: Palmer became the first woman ever to referee a game in a major American men's professional sports league. Dahlem, who is just completinga 32-year career in education,the last 13 as principal of OnekaElementary School in Hugo,Minn., almost immediatelysaw that certain something inCourteau. with her. Decided to get a bite to eat and a drink at a local establishment. Without hesitation, one officialsaid she was heading home toget a good rest and study herrulebook to be on top of hergame in preparation for thenext day, when she would beofficiating with June Courteau.. Im politically astute, Ill watch TV and Ill go, You probably shouldnt have said that because theyre going to focus on that and theyre going to miss your entire point! she said. You can talk about the girl in the fifth row with the big ta-tas! And as a captivated Courteauread Daniel James Browns 2013masterpiece The Boys in the Boatduring that picture-perfect day, she was highlighting numerous passages from Browns stirring account about the University of Washingtons eight-oared crew, comprised of members who had struggled to succeed during the Depression, achieving spectacular success during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. "Dee did it in a day where I'm sure she didn't have that support.". Famously known by the Family name Dee Kantner, is a great Referee. I think she's the best WBB ref, without a doubt. Decided to get a bite to eat and a drink at a local establishment. Outside of the NCAA, Kantner was a referee at the 1998 FIBA World Championship for Women, 2000 Summer Olympics and the Continental Basketball Association. Welcome to the Boneyard. Moyer-Gleich recounts similar experiences. Referee Dee Kantner: Calling the Shots AARP. Simply reading doesnt cut it for JuneCourteau. In 1984, Kantner was an upstart serving . (Prior to entering the league, Palmer worked as a referee in NCAA Division I women's basketball.) We will update Dee Kantner's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. Dee Kantner has an interesting view of the basketball court. Sure, Courteau concedes thatshe could be and she makes noapologies all these years later. At the time, she was part of the first-ever "major college men's game" to only have women referees alongside Patty Broderick and June Corteau. Recently moved to VA to be with kids and (5) grandkids. Those who followed them still faced real challenges. "There are times in a referee's development that we find that a referee is not . That makes Kantner the . Discover Dee Kantner's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. In the near two decades she's spent refereeing with the NBA, she has seen her body break down and her ability to keep up with the job's rigorous travel schedule diminish substantially. Over the years, Courteaubecame a master of making herpoint. There's no jealousy here, no bitterness over an "easier" path faced by today's young women. progress in her own development and sometimes a change is needed. [15] By 2019, Kantner had remained in her supervisory role with the WNBA for almost 15 years. She was like, Oh,Terry, youve got to listen to this!, As Courteau raved, shecontinued highlighting passages. ", Throughout Palmer's career as an NBA referee, she said she never had any player use discriminatory language toward her or make homophobic comments in her presence, despite it being common knowledge within the league that she is gay. Lisa Leslie was starting tobump as she was coming intothe post and I said, Lisa, easeup in there, ease up, Courteausaid. I didnt realize equality for women in sports was an issue then. June is legendary inwomens basketball, saidVicki Davis, the MinnesotaIntercollegiate AthleticConference supervisor ofwomens basketball officials. and has worked NBA Summer League games. Since then, seven women have . Im proud of all those officialsrunning up and down the floor, tryingto get it right, Courteau said in oneof her farewell messages as she headsinto retirement with Teresa, who hasbeen in education for 32 years. Dee Kantner has a net worth of $5.00 million (Estimated) which she earned from her occupation as Referee. Dee Kantner (born 1961) is a women's basketball referee for the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Oct. 30Dee Kantner joked that being inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame made her feel old. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Today, there are a total of five full-time women NBA referees, an all-time league high. I never really delved into Title IX until later in life. February 14, 2021. Several of the full-timers are close friends off the court. Her currency? women officiated regular-season games in an all-male league. Was the buffer Palmer and Kantner created an impenetrable one? That debt is the embodiment of Jean Frey. It was my very firststandby job. I remember her patting Stewie on the butt after she made an outstanding out of bound save during the Championship in Tennessee. WhatCourteau read in that bookfour years earlier, what she hadtried to inspire during her runas national coordinator, wascoming alive before her veryeyes. He needed a body to run, she said. College softball rankings: The top 25 teams in the NCAA this week, Women's Power Rankings: Pac-12 teams, Maryland show their teeth, SCNext Top 25: Ranking the best high school girls' basketball teams in the 2022-23 season, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "I said to the guys: 'You can curse! Very fun Nite of women's basketball. Fearless."It's pretty safe to say that Spy was the most influential magazine of the 1980s. referees, has been fired, the NBA said Monday. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. She became a basketball official in 1984, was one of the first two women along with Violet Palmer to be hired by the NBA in 1997 and worked her 25th NCAA Womens Final Four in April. In several ways, Violet Palmer was a trailblazer. Sarah Thomas - The first female official to work an NFL game. It wasnever about her, it was about herbody of work, which said all shecared to say. They have been togethersince, sharing a commitmentceremony Aug. 7, 2003, andgetting legally married Aug.10, 2013. I have older friends who didnt have the opportunity to play sports in high school, or they had one team or they could have been a cheerleader. The prep that goes intothat, June is the master atthose kinds of things. 26-year-old social media star Ari Fletcher is still getting slammed with backlash following her disparaging remarks about victims of domestic violence. Shejust said, Those are seven pagesof notes because your mechanicsare awful, your positioning isnot that good, but what youhave that feel for the game I cant teach you. Today, Palmer counts men she worked with among her best friends. [21][22], Kantner was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. They're just talking about something they're uncomfortable with.". There's simply a desire to make this world, and others like it, more accessible. It was her nature to be inquisitive as a means to gauge just how prepared that official was and to reinforce how crucial proper mechanics are at all times. Dee Kantner earned 13 varsity letters at Exeter back in the 1970s and didn't realize how lucky she was. I would have expected management to have said something, yet there was nothing in any of my reviews. Very excitingand they won! 31 May 1997 Once Upon a Matress, closes at Broadhurst Theater NYC after 187 performances. Still, there's unanimous agreement that without the groundwork laid by the two trendsetters before them, the path would have been rockier. A well-read womanwith an insatiabledesire to cram yetmore knowledge intoher mind was sittingpoolside at an Aruba timesharedwelling in the summer of 2015. She has a pure loving kind heart personality. with her. But she viewed the NBA as a challenge to conquer, plus she took comfort in the fact that at the time, NBA mechanics were actually pretty similar to those she was used to at the women's college level. According to our Database, She has no children. We're having a ball. I said, Hey, areyou going to take care of yourcrew? She said yes, and goesout. Also learn how She earned most of networth at the age of 59 years old? She is a member of famous with the age 61 years old group. Rules, interpretations, mechanics, philosophies and other information may or may not be correct for the current year. The chapter awarded $500 scholarships in memory of longtime sports figure Dr. Richard Flannery to 36 Berks County senior athletes, 18 boys and 18 girls. Courteauwasnt afraid to speak her mindand she didnt hesitate to dig inwhen it came time to hold herground. "My being hired was a bit of shock to the system. "She really did an awesome job of reaching out to us and saying, 'Hey, I really want to start this group. I'm a relatively new Boneyard member. Dee Kantner Net Worth. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. I remember being in thelocker room after a game witha basketball crew and afterthe critique, we talked abouteveryones next assignment. Yet, when each began officiating youth basketball . She was the main speaker Wednesday night at the Berks County Chapter of the Hall of Fame Scholarship Dinner at Green Valley. Of course," Palmer, who retired from the NBA in 2016, said. "Those girls get to see me on this platform, working with men in a male-dominated field.". Nobodytold her what to do, but she wasthere doing it. The league is ahead of its peers here, although progress must be viewed relatively. Luckily, there was no Twitter or Instagram . "It's almost normal now. Sarah Thomas Becomes First Woman to Officiate Super Bowl. This chain of efficiencystarted with standby officialGina Cross. Marcy Weston - Served as the NCAA women's basketball rules editor, clinician and officiated the first women's Final Four in 1982. With the NCAA, Kantner has refereed for various Final Four and championship games since 1992. 20. It's not a big deal anymore," she remembers thinking. Rather, they've tried to go further. Shes a motivator. Thats a story Ill never forget.. (615) 824-3855. Dee is an ideal celebrity influencer. So you tell me how many conversations are about notes and plays and rules and situations.. Once she accepted and Courteau's wife, Teresa Dahlem, deserves a great deal of credit for that this woman committed herself to raise the bar in officiating, just as she has since first pulling on a striped shirt. How thorough wasCourteau? And she was dressed to kill- I do a double take, and said Dee- you really clean up well! We have estimated Dee Kantner's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets. I remember one time inWhite Bear (School District)there had been a tornado andTerrys school had turned intoa crisis center, Moore said. Because I've seen it done before.". And those words were also agreat teaching point for a consummateleader who intended to leave collegebasketball officiating far better thanwhere she found it. "And from the beginning, they have always been supportive of me and my success. Referee, the worlds original sports officiating magazine, educates, challenges and inspires officials at all levels. Palmer and Kantner smashed this barrier; those who came after them are trying to stomp on its remains. I went there and June wasalready organizing who wasgoing to get water, whos goingto get the ice she ran aroundand got all the coolers. Since Holtkamp-Sterling, four more women have been hired as full-time NBA referees. "They say I'm the sixth female referee in the NBA," said Schroeder, the sixth woman officially hired as a full-time NBA referee. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on . [7] Before becoming a NCAA Division I referee for the Southern Conference in 1984, Kantner had previously refereed basketball games ranging from elementary school to NCAA Division II. Besides, when sheput words out there for publicconsumption, she has long beenconcerned with how they mightbe bent and twisted. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund Board of Directors is comprised of colleagues from the women's basketball world, distinguished physicians, respected business leaders, prominent media representatives, and allies in the fight against ALL cancers affecting women.