Connie Kunzmann

Connie Renea Kunzmann (July 3, 1956 – February 7, 1981) was a professional basketball player who was a member of the Iowa Cornets and the Nebraska Wranglers in the Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL) from 1978 to 1981.

Kunzmann made the transition from halfcourt six-on-six basketball in high school to the traditional five-on-five full court game in college and the pros.

She attended Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, where she played on the school's basketball and softball teams.

Kunzmann was born on July 3, 1956, in Spencer, Iowa, to Ray and Elanor Kunzmann.

The family later moved to Moneta, Iowa.

Kunzamnn's father died during her childhood, which according to her mother, caused Connie to consume herself in basketball.

Kunzmann attended Everly High School in Everly, Iowa.

She played on the school's six-on-six basketball team from 1971 to 1974.

During her sophomore season, Kunzmann led the all state six-on-six players in steals.

She was named The Des Moines Register All-Iowa Second Team following her junior season.

After playing her first three seasons at guard, Everly's principal Larry Johnson suggested she switch to forward.

She led her team in scoring that season with 34 points per game.

She was named to the Sioux City Journal All-Northwest Iowa First Team, the Iowa Daily Press Association All-Iowa Third Team and The Des Moines Register All-Iowa Sixth Team.

After graduating high school, Kunzmann enrolled at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska.

She played for the Wildcats women's basketball and softball teams.

On February 3, 1975, she scored 33 points in a basketball game against the Midland University Warriors.

Her points total set a team record for most scored in a single game.

She set the record again, with 40 points, during a game on December 6, 1975.

She also had 15 rebounds in that game.

Kunzmann finished the 1975–76 season with an average of a 20.1 points and 14.4 rebounds per game.

Norma Boetel, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits women's basketball head coach, said of Kuzmann in 1976, "Wayne [State] is led by Connie Kunzmann, a tall, mobile gal who shoots well, rebounds well and plays fine defense."

Kunzmann broke her ankle sliding into third base during a Wildcats softball game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on April 2, 1976.

She recovered from her injury in time for the basketball season.

On December 30, 1976, she scored 37 points, leading the Wildcats to of 79–69 victory over the Northern Colorado Bears in the championship game of the Chadron State College Holiday Tournament.

Her junior year, Kunzmann was named Wayne State College Athlete of the Year and was named First Team All-Nebraska College Conference in basketball.

She averaged 20.4 points and 13.3 rebounds per game during the 1976–77 season.

Kunzmann is the career leader for Wayne State in rebounds, with 1,271.

In 1978, she signed with the Iowa Cornets of the newly-formed WBL, which was the first women's professional basketball league in the United States.

Kunzmann signed with the Iowa Cornets of the fledgling Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL) in 1978.

Her professional debut came on December 1 in a preseason game against the Chicago Hustle.

She went 6-for-6 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line, finishing the game with 14 points in the Cornets 114–105 victory.

Kunzmann was killed on February 7, 1981, by Lance Tibke, who later pleaded guilty to second degree murder.

He was sentenced to 10 to 40 years in prison, but was paroled after serving less than nine years.

Kunzmann's team, the Nebraska Wranglers, canceled their game on February 10 when investigators disclosed that she had been killed.

They returned to the court a day later donning black bands on their uniforms in memory of Kunzmann.

The Wranglers went on to win the WBL Championship.

Kunzmann's death was a national news story – with reports being filed regularly during the search for her body, which was hindered for nearly a week by poor weather conditions.

Her remains were located in the Missouri River on March 28, halfway between Dodge Park and the Mormon Bridge.

An autopsy concluded the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head by an object, likely a tire iron.

Kunzmann was interred at Lone Tree Cemetery in Everly.