Lee Bohnet Papers
Collection Overview
Title: Lee Bohnet Papers
ID: OGLMC1358
Primary Creator: Bohnet, Lee (1923-1999)
Extent: 5.0 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 03/18/1998
Subjects: University of North Dakota - Athletics
Languages: English
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The Lee Bohnet Papers consist of material related to Lee Bohnet's life, as well as the University of North Dakota (UND). Much of the information in this collection was used by Bohnet in his book A Century of UND Sports.
His personal material and writings are arranged first, including obituaries, drafts of A Century of UND Sports and numerous program articles written for UND athletic publications.
Material regarding UND athletics follows; these materials are arranged alphabetically by sport, and chronological within a given sport. Information related to specific persons will be found within the sport in which the person was affiliated. General athletic information is arranged last.
General University materials and miscellaneous items round out the collection.
Collection Historical Note
Leland "Lee" K. Bohnet was the first and longtime sports information director at the University of North Dakota. He was born April 23, 1923, in Kulm, ND. He graduated from Kulm High School in 1942, and served in the U.S. Navy in World War II aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Wilkes. Active in the Pacific Theater, he separated from the Navy in May 1946 as a Water Tender 3rd Class.
In 1946, Bohnet enrolled at UND. He graduated in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Upon graduation, Bohnet became a sports writer for the Fargo Forum. He worked there for a short time before he became the editor of the Hillsboro Banner. In 1953, Bohnet was hired as UND's first sports information director, at that point a part-time position. He was named full-time sports information director in 1958. Bohnet held this position for 35 years, before retiring in 1988. In 1994, Bohnet published his book, A Century of UND Sports.
Bohnet was named to the North Central Conference Hall of Fame in 1974, the UND Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981, and the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame in 1977. He received the UND Letterwinner's Club Honorary Award in 1976.
Bohnet married Marjorie Vareberg in 1948 and they had two daughters, Patricia and Diane. Marjorie passed away in 1975 and the following year Bohnet married Elaine LeTourneau. Lee Bohnet passed away August 8, 1999, in Grand Forks.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Source: Elaine Bohnet, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Acquisition Method: Donation; Accession 98-2182
Related Materials: UA 49, Athletics Department Records
Related Publications: A Century of UND Sports by Lee Bohnet, 1994
Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid migrated to Archon in February 2013.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Biographical Information],
[Series 2: Writings],
[Series 3: University of North Dakota Athletics],
[Series 4: University of North Dakota],
[Series 5: Photographs],
[All]
- Series 5: Photographs
- Photograph 1: Phil Jackson, UND Basketball
- Photograph 2: Phil Jackson, UND Basketball
- Photograph 3: Phil Jackson, UND Basketball
- Photograph 4: Phil Jackson, UND Basketball
- Photograph 5: Phil Jackson, UND Basketball
- Photograph 6: Phil Jackson, New York Knicks Basketball
- Photograph 7: Phil Jackson, New York Knicks Basketball
- Photograph 8: Bob Brammell, UND Basketball
- Photograph 9: Jim Hester, UND Basketball
- Photograph 10: Marv Pederson, UND Basketball
- Photograph 11: Dave (Butch) Lince, UND Basketball
- Photograph 12: Jack Basye, UND Basketball
- Photograph 13: Eddie Moore, UND Basketball
- Photograph 14: undated team, UND Basketball
- Photograph 15: unidentified player, UND Basketball
- Photograph 16: unidentified player, UND Basketball
- Photograph 17: unidentified player, UND Basketball
- Photograph 18: Dave Osborn, UND Football
- Photograph 19: Dave Osborn, UND Football
- Photograph 20: Dave Osborn, UND Football
- Photograph 21: Dave Osborn, Minnesota Vikings Football
- Photograph 22: undated game, UND Football
- Photograph 23: Tony Hrkac, UND Hockey
- Photograph 24: Howard Walker, UND Hockey
- Photograph 25: CD Locklin
- Photograph 26: CD Locklin
- Photograph 27: 1927-28-29, Football Greats Team Reunion
- Photograph 28: 1968 Sioux Award Winners
- Photograph 29: Gary Schwartz
- Photograph 30: Frank Zazula, UND Track & Cross-Country Coach
- Photograph 31: Dr. Carl Miller
- Photograph 32: Ted Meinhover, 1977 Inductee
- Photograph 33: George Schubert
- Photograph 34: Shannon Burnell, 1993 UND Football
- Photograph 35: Jack West
- Photograph 36: Joe Flanagan
- Photograph 37: UND Hyslop Sports Center
- Photograph 38: UND Hyslop Sports Center
- Photograph 39: UND Hyslop Sports Center
- Photograph 40: UND Hyslop Sports Center
- Photograph 41: UND Hyslop Sports Center
- Photograph 42: UND Hyslop Sports Center
- Photograph 43: UND Memorial Stadium
- Photograph 44: UND Memorial Stadium
- Photograph 45: UND Hughes Fine Arts Center
- Photograph 46: UND Hughes Fine Arts Center
- Photograph 47: Shem Pinkham
- Photograph 1: Phil Jackson, UND Basketball
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Biographical Information],
[Series 2: Writings],
[Series 3: University of North Dakota Athletics],
[Series 4: University of North Dakota],
[Series 5: Photographs],
[All]