Collette Folstad taught in West Fargo for 19 years and coached Varsity Girls’ Basketball 15 of those years. She developed a love for teaching as a student at NDSU (1962). She always loved playing sports and had an early desire to be a coach. There were few opportunities for girls to compete when she was young. Because of this, she became a pioneer who tirelessly worked to “open doors” for girls to compete and has been recognized on all levels for her efforts. She was the first woman coach inducted in the North Dakota High School Coaches Hall of Fame and is also a member of the National High School Coaches Hall of Fame. She started the West Fargo Girls’ Basketball Packer Pals Youth Program which gave the young girls an opportunity to earn skills and be mentored by the high school players. While coaching at West Fargo, her teams won two state championships, two runner-up finishes, two regional titles, and four conference titles. She says, “I am grateful for the opportunity I was given to teach and coach the youth of the community. Teaching is coaching and coaching is teaching.