Jean Freeman was a pioneer in women’s collegiate athletics. She served as a mentor and leader to numerous coaches (men and women) who went onto their own head coaching careers. Jean Freeman swam for the Minnesota Gophers from 1968-72 and then served as an assistant coach for one season. In 1973 she was named head coach and from there, Freeman took the program to national prominence. During her 31-year tenure, Freeman produced 27 winning seasons; captured two Big Ten Championships, won 208 dual meets; and coached two National Champions, 14 Big Ten Champions, and 175 All-Americans. Most of all, she enjoyed coaching over 1,000 student-athletes.

Freeman was one of the first women to become a full-time NCAA Division I head coach. Her many honors and accolades include four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year awards; over 20 ASCA Certificates of Excellence Awards; induction into the Minnesota Swim Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the National Collegiate and Scholastic Swimming Trophy, awarded annually by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America. She also served on the 1992 National Junior Team, 1991 Olympic Festival and 2004 World University Games coaching staffs. She was Minnesota Swimming’s senior chair for many years, was a key member of the NCAA Swimming and Diving Rules and Championship Committees and CSCAA Board of Directors.

In addition to being a highly successful coach, Jean Freeman was a difference maker in the college swimming community. She showed up, spoke up, and got involved to do what was best for our sport. Her influence can be seen on pool decks across the country where she is remembered by many coaches as a mentor, which is why these scholarships in her honor are such a fitting way to honor her memory.