Hall of Fame
Connie Fortin was the first women's volleyball player to receive both all-region and all-state honors at a time when the women's athletics program was beginning its affiliation with the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the early '80s. Fortin was a very versatile player who contributed both as a setter and as a hitter for Head Coach Gretchen Koehler. She received the team's Queen Bee Award for most service aces in 1980 with 38 and set the school record for single season serving percentage at 99.6% in 1981. With Fortin serving as the team captain in 1981, Gustavus set a school record for wins in a season with 25 and finished second in the MIAC with a record of 7-1. In addition to her exploits on the volleyball court, Fortin was also a standout in track and field where she competed in the discus. She set the school record with a throw of 128'0 in 1979 and that mark stood for over 10 years.
After graduating with majors in biology and computer science, Fortin began a career as a computer programmer working in software development with Northwest Airlines, Analysts International and Avionics Research from 1982 until 1995. She received her master's degree in software design and development from the University of St. Thomas in 1988. She is currently president of Fortin Consulting, an environmental consulting firm in Plymouth, Minnesota. Connie lives in Plymouth with her husband, Roman Rowan, and three stepchildren, Terry Flottmeier, and Mike and Becki Rowan.
