Laura Coenen

Laura Coenen played basketball at the University of Minnesota where she earned All-Big 10 and All-American honors. Her #44 was eventually retired by the college. After graduating in 1985, she learned to play handball and played for the US at the 1988, 1992, and 1996 Olympics. She also won gold medals at the 1987 and 1996 Pan American Games.

Coenen later became interested in coaching and sports administration. She was on the organizing committee for the 1990 US Olympic Festival, held in the Twin Cities in Minnesota. She also began work with the US Olympic Committee, and served as a director of events for the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation. Coenen, later Laura Ryan, eventually became associate director of the Paralympic Military Program at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.