Deborah's mother, Elizabeth Lyle Robbie became the first female owner of a professional sports franchise in the United States when she purchased the Miami Toros soccer team in the mid-'70s. The Toros then moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., before relocating to the Twin Cities and becoming the Minnesota Strikers between the 1983 and 1984 seasons. She owned the team until the franchise disbanded in 1988. During her ownership, the Strikers played for the MISL Championship in 1986.

Deborah Olson, a President's Club member of Women's Athletics, already has one endowed scholarship in her mother's name for a University of Minnesota soccer player. Olson is a former volleyball and softball student-athlete at Carleton College. She is actively involved in University of Minnesota Women's Athletics through her leadership on many special events committees, the Advisory Council and the Ice Hockey Task Force.

"My mother left a legacy of strong support for equal opportunities," Olson said. "She believed everyone should be allowed to succeed at whatever they choose to do-- athletically, academically and in all areas of life. Coache Barbara Wickstrand, and the entire soccer program have demonstrated they share this commitment to success and opportunity. They will be wonderful caretakers of this legacy, as will the student-athletes who play in the facility and benefit from the scholarships."

"The women of Minnesota will benefit in a significant and enduring way because of the beliefs, values and generosity of two great fans and friends of soccer and equality for women--Elizabeth Lyle Robbie and Deborah Olson. We are thrilled to accept this gift," women's athletics director Chris Voelz said.