Did you know that we have our own Granny Basketball team right here in Wanamingo? And that they are called the Bulldogs? Well, now you know! As most of you remember, before the Kenyon/Wanamingo merger, our Wanamingo teams were called the Bulldogs. After the merger, they became the Knights, but the Granny team retained the Bulldog moniker.
Granny Basketball is a non profit 501(c)3 organization, designed to keep women from 50 to 90 active, and it's fun! There are several states involved in tournaments, scrimmages and practices in the gyms of the local schools. Lois Bjorngaard and Karen Brant started a team in 2007, and started recruiting members for the team. Each team designates a local charity to turn the admission fees over to, and there is no monetary compensation for the players, coaches, referees or time keepers. They are always looking for volunteers and sponsors, and anyone male or female, of any age can do anything but play the game. That right is strictly reserved for the players!
I spoke with Loretta Froyum about the awesome season the 'Dogs had this year. "We have always been the team to play!" she said enthusiastically, "We were the team they could beat!" In the first 16 years of playing, they only won 5 games, total. This year they won 5 of 10 league games, and won all the scrimmages against Faribault, the only other team in Minnesota! They've come a long way, Baby!
So, let's get the history here. Granny Basketball was started by accident, they say. In 2005, Barbara McPherson Trammel was helping her father write his memoirs, and being a basketball coach, he recounted a girl's team, and all the modest rules they played by. Thinking this was a fun idea to recreate for a fundraiser to save an old historic building in Lansing, Iowa, she started a team to play as they used to in the good ol' days. Well, other people heard about her idea, and 3 more teams were formed, and the fundraiser turned into a tournament. People were so enthusiastic about the games, that Granny Basketball became a "thing"!
There are several states that have teams. Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, Arizona, and one Canadian province, Toronto. Their mission and purpose states, "As empowered women of the 21st century, we seek to promote a spirit of camaraderie, a model of sportsmanship, and friendly competition. In doing so, we honor the women who came before us, and set an example for those who follow."
The rules and dress of the game remained in the style of the 1920's. And it was a 6 on 6 instead of the now traditional 5 on 5 players. Two on one end of the court, two in the middle and 2 on the opposite end of the court. The rules are strictly enforced by not two, but 3 referees, and no touching is allowed. There is a "no skin" rule, which brings a "flesh foul" if you come untucked and your skin is exposed. No bare legs or upper arms may be revealed! Therefore, they have a traditional (for the 1920's) uniform consisting of bloomers, midi blouses and knee high stockings. All uniforms are the same except for the color of the stockings, denoting the teams. A side note here..... The Bulldogs originally had gold socks because the school colors were purple and gold. After a few years, the gold socks were hard to find, and they changed to purple and gray. The ladies seemed to like that color better, and people stopped calling them "Chicken legs"!! Another rule that differ from today's is no running. You may "hurry" but you may not run. The Grannies have sections they play, and cannot leave their space. The scoring consists of a 3 point underhanded throw, a 2 point regular throw and 1 point for a free throw. Only 2 dribbles allowed per player, and only one time out per quarter.
Our Bulldogs currently have 15 members. Members must be from 50 to 90 years old. Loretta Froyum (75) and Julie Lozano (58) are the co-captains of the team, and everyone gets a chance to play. Loretta delegates responsibilities, and keeps all the ladies involved in the game. There are only 2 original members of the team that are still active, Loretta Froyum and Susan Hazen (71), but Karen Brant jumped ship and moved to Faribault, so she is now playing for the Hot Shots! Other members are Trudy Vangsness (68), Mary Hagen (82), Elrene Clauson (63), Carrie Foss (58), Carol Post (71), Barb Renken (79), Amy Matson (67), Marlene Syverson (73), Sonia Stehr (58), Amy Shutz (50), Lois Bjorngaard (85), Karen Zimmerman (79), Wendy Graham (63) and Joanie Wood(71). Those members who have passed are Avis Erlandson, Elise Halvorson, Charlene Hanson, and Adele Trent. Current referees for the team are Sonia Stehr, Julie Lozano, Joanie Wood, and Stacy Froyum (non player, volunteer). And we can't forget the spouses who help out with the practices in the first year, Pervin Bjorngaard, Tim Hazen, Fred Halvorson and Palmer Brant.
The ladies are involved in several "extra curricular" activities as well! There is a secret Granny program in which each member has one team member that they do nice things for, like birthday cards sent anonymously, a Christmas party at a member's home, a Spring Banquet at a restaurant of choice to tie up the year, a summer picnic at a member's home, birthday recognitions, and the ever popular Dairy Queen runs after practice! Practices are twice a week, but they don't go to the Dairy Queen after every practice!!
The season begins in September and runs until May. Iowa league play starts with a Jamboree in January. As of 2024, there are over 600 players on 47 teams in 10 states, and in Toronto. The ladies welcome you to come to watch their practices in the Wanamingo elementary school gym, and to come to watch their games. And they are always open to welcome new players, volunteers, and are currently seeking a sponsor. Michael Alme was the first sponsor of the team. He provided team jackets and duffle bags, both in purple, and with the players' names on them. To find out more info about all of this, call Loretta Froyum at (507) 210-8210. Remember, anyone of any age can be a volunteer and get in on the fun!! Let me end this article with the slogans of Granny Basketball. "Die with your tennis shoes on" "Gentle game for women of a certain age." and the theme on their parade float, "These grannies are off their rockers!"
