In her final act as a nationally respected activities administrator with the Minnesota State High School League, Lisa Lissimore suddenly found herself in a role reversal. She needed to step from behind the curtain and into the spotlight as one of the inductees in the Class of 2022 of the League’s prestigious hall of fame. It was unfamiliar territory for Lissimore, whose energetic presence and humble, servant attitude had been a magnetic force with the League and its member schools for 34 years.

The induction ceremony in late April came as a prelude to Lissimore’s retirement from the League a week later.

“I was extremely surprised and overwhelmed with emotion, and really, my heart is overflowing with joy,” Lissimore said of being inducted. “However, I am not looking to be recognized in this way. In fact, I prefer the opposite, to provide programming like this, to lift up and honor others, not necessarily myself, so this is very challenging for me on one hand, and still yet a joy on the other.”

Lissimore’s work behind the scenes was a tireless service and commitment to providing co-curricular opportunities and leadership growth for the students of the League’s 525 member schools. As an Associate Director, her vision, work ethic, can-do attitude and selfless initiatives positively impacted the lives of thousands of Minnesota students and their families. Activities under her direction and leadership included Boys and Girls Cross Country Running, Boys and Girls Swimming and Diving, Girls Basketball, Synchronized Swimming, Badminton and Softball.

In addition to overseeing corporate sponsorships, Lissimore was instrumental in the growth and powerful impact of the League’s recognition programs that included the Hall of Fame, and the Triple “A” Award. ExCEL and Spotlight on Scholarship awards that honor students.

At the national level, Lissimore served in various capacities with the National Federation of State High School Associations, including the Strategic Planning Committee, Citizenship Committee, the Student Services Committee and the Hall of Fame Screening Committee. In 2021, she was selected the recipient of the prestigious NFHS Section 5 Citation Award for distinguished service to schools not only in the section, but also throughout the country. Section 5 is comprised of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri.

“I’ve always been a servant leader; I’ve known that ever since I was selected to be a captain of my basketball teams that played not only in high school, but my college team as well,” Lissimore said. “I think God put me here to serve. Fortunately, all the people around me, the coaches, teachers, they, too, were servant leaders and it’s by their example that I learn to be this type of leader. I’ve always wanted to help others and I think through this role, I’ve been able to do that in more ways than I could have ever imagined.”

Lissimore got her first glimpse of the Minnesota State High School League when she was a standout player that helped lead St. Paul Central to Minnesota’s first Class AA Girls Basketball Championship in 1976. She marveled at the spectacle of leaving the city limits to travel to suburban Bloomington to play at a professional venue, the Met Center. The pageantry, prestige and powerful moments of playing in the pioneering days of girls basketball would stick with her forever.

Her journey through co-curricular activities began in St. Paul’s Rondo Neighborhood. The athletically gifted Lissimore needed daily permission from her mother to walk the six blocks to Oxford Playground where she was introduced to a world of opportunity through athletics. This is the same playground that produced standouts and legends like David Winfield, Ricky Suggs, Stacy Robinson, Linda Roberts and Teresa Tierney Mauer, the mother of legendary Minnesota prep phenom, Joe Mauer. Mauer would have a prolific 15-year baseball career with the Minnesota Twins. Lissimore and Tierney Mauer remain close friends, and it was powerful symmetry that Joe Mauer was also a part of the League’s Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

“St. Paul Central was where I learned that anything is possible,” Lissimore said. “My classmates and I were surrounded by a supportive team of educators that taught us to strive to make something of yourself, then strive to make the most of yourself. This type of affirmation made a huge difference in my life. It is the reason why I have such fond memories of my high school experience. Central also provided me with countless opportunities to test my athletic abilities and to develop leadership and teamwork skills. I firmly believe that a good athletic program with coaches that are good role models can be a life-changing experience for many kids. I am one of those kids!”

After completing a collegiate basketball and educational career at the University of Minnesota and then at Grand View College in Des Moines, Lissimore’s administrative career with the League began as a representative of the Minnesota State Board of Education to the Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors. That paved the way to becoming a League Associate Director in 1988.

“It was a great learning experience (to be a member of the Board of Directors) that changed the trajectory of my career,” she said. “I was coaching basketball at the University of St. Thomas and working for the Minnesota Legislature as a writer when I was approached by the State Board of Education to serve on the high school league’s boardof directors. I was hesitant to serve at first, but after talking to my then-boss and mentor, I accepted the position to serve and give back. During that time, I had a close-up view of the League’s operations, services, and programs. I also worked with an incredible group of people that were committed to shaping the future of the League and its programs.”

During Lissimore’s administrative journey, her enthusiasm for service and energetic spirit positively impacted the lives of students, coaches and school leaders. Included in the joys she experienced in more than three decades of service: An opportunity to watch some of Minnesota’s most gifted and talented athletes compete, five members of her childhood neighborhood inducted into the League’s Hall of Fame, girls sports’ significant gain in popularity, state associations being led by African American administrators and the NFHS being run by a woman for the first time in its 100-year history.

“I came into this work because I believe high school activity programs make a difference in the lives of young people; providing them with opportunities to lead, learn, and grow,” she said. “To be part of this type of learning that takes place in schools throughout the country is truly a blessing. I am grateful for the opportunity and happy to share my talents with others. “To work in a leadership position for a local or national organization that serves others is meaningful and enjoyable work. Always remember that you are inspiring future generations through your work and your deeds. And finally, surround yourself with people that encourage you through success and failure.”

Frank White, a Minnesota baseball historian and League Hall of Fame member of the Class of 2005, shared this about Lissimore:

“Many years ago, I was at the Nacirema Club in South Minneapolis where community leaders were meeting to discuss the importance of selecting an individual to represent the African American community and promoting that selection as a hire to the leaders of the League,” he said. “I must say that those community leaders would be extremely proud of their selection in Lisa Lissimore. She has brought dignity, class, hard work, respect and a positive recognition to Minnesota and the nation. Thank you for a footprint and legacy that will remain forever.”