Collette Folstad, Pioneer of Women’s Athletics at NDSU, Dies at 88
Collette Folstad, a trailblazing coach who founded the women's basketball and volleyball programs at North Dakota State University in 1966 and also coached at Concordia College, has died at the age of 88. She is recognized as a significant figure…
Fargo Valley City, ND, September 21, 2026 — Collette Folstad, a notable figure in the development of women’s athletics in the Fargo-Valley City area, has passed away at the age of 88. Folstad was recognized for her foundational role in establishing key athletic programs at North Dakota State University (NDSU).
Her contributions to NDSU women’s sports were significant, particularly in 1966 when she founded both the women’s basketball and women’s volleyball programs. This initiative marked an important step in the expansion of collegiate athletics for women during that era.
In addition to her pioneering work at NDSU, Folstad also served as a coach at Concordia College. Her career as a coach and administrator spanned several decades, impacting numerous student-athletes and contributing to the growth and recognition of women in sports.
Folstad is remembered as a significant figure whose efforts advanced women’s athletics in the Fargo-Valley City region. The specific details surrounding her passing, including the date and cause, were not provided in the available information. The contractor’s name was not provided. The fine amount was not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Jeff Kolpack on www.inforum.com, see more information here.
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