University of St. Thomas Athletics
Black History Month: These trailblazing Toms were home grown
2/4/2021 3:29:00 PM | Athletics, Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
St. Thomas Athletics is proud to celebrate Black History Month, and we recall the many contributions and successes of black student-athletes and coaches who wore the Purple and Grey.
This week's trip down memory lane spotlights two Minneapolis student-athletes who made history in the St. Thomas Athletics Hall of Fame.
--
One starred in the 1970s -- his track coach called him the fastest college sprinter in Minnesota.
The other starred in two sports in the 1980s -- her hoops coach called her a "dominant" defender, and her track coach said she was a first-class, team-first leader.
Both had Minneapolis roots but later found a second home here at Summit and Cretin Avenues.
Track and field sprint All-American Lee Bellfield (Class of '75) became the first black male student-athlete inducted into the university's Athletic Hall of Fame, in 1986.
Twelve years later, Jenny Phillips' All-America track and field success and her multiple basketball contributions from 1985-89 was recognized with our highest award. Phillips was inducted into the Athletic Hall and in the process became the first black female student-athlete so honored.
Both went on to busy careers in business, education and service, and stayed active in sports as coaches.
After serving a tour of duty in the U.S. Army, Bellfield enrolled at St. Thomas in the early 1970s, encouraging by a coach who spotted him at an open track meet. He had attended Minneapolis Central High, and he made an immediate impact a Tommie freshman in 1971. Bellfield went on to break Tommie and MIAC records in sprint races; win multiple MIAC championships; and win All-America honr by placing at both the NCAA D-II and D-III national meets.
Phiilips grew up in north Minneapolis with eight siblings, and later was a star athlete at Benilde-St. Margaret's High. In a 1989 feature story in the Aquin student newspaper, Phillips' older brother recalled how at age 10 Jenny challenged the fastest boy on her block to a race, and won, showing a fearless streak that she became known for in competition.
In her Tommie days she was a multiple All-American relay anchor in sprint races on the track, and a shutdown defender in basketball who broke the school record for career steals. Her late-1980s basketball teams set the tone for St. Thomas' remarkable run of success during the 1990s.
Phillips remains connected to MIAC athletics, She's back working with her Tommie coach Ted Riverso, and is now in her third season as an Augsburg University assistant coach on Riverso's staff. Her resume includes a long stint with the Target Corporation, plus a long career in community service and development programs. A wife and mother of three, Phillips established the MLK Minneapolis Travel Basketball program, and is a co-creator of the ML King Park Fundamental Youth Basketball Development Program, both in South Minneapolis.
We salute and honor Lee and Jenny as trailblazers and inspirations for all Tommie student-athletes.
--
Lee Bellfield (1971-75)
Jenny Phillips (1985-89)
This week's trip down memory lane spotlights two Minneapolis student-athletes who made history in the St. Thomas Athletics Hall of Fame.
--
One starred in the 1970s -- his track coach called him the fastest college sprinter in Minnesota.
The other starred in two sports in the 1980s -- her hoops coach called her a "dominant" defender, and her track coach said she was a first-class, team-first leader.
Both had Minneapolis roots but later found a second home here at Summit and Cretin Avenues.
Track and field sprint All-American Lee Bellfield (Class of '75) became the first black male student-athlete inducted into the university's Athletic Hall of Fame, in 1986.
Twelve years later, Jenny Phillips' All-America track and field success and her multiple basketball contributions from 1985-89 was recognized with our highest award. Phillips was inducted into the Athletic Hall and in the process became the first black female student-athlete so honored.
Both went on to busy careers in business, education and service, and stayed active in sports as coaches.
After serving a tour of duty in the U.S. Army, Bellfield enrolled at St. Thomas in the early 1970s, encouraging by a coach who spotted him at an open track meet. He had attended Minneapolis Central High, and he made an immediate impact a Tommie freshman in 1971. Bellfield went on to break Tommie and MIAC records in sprint races; win multiple MIAC championships; and win All-America honr by placing at both the NCAA D-II and D-III national meets.
Phiilips grew up in north Minneapolis with eight siblings, and later was a star athlete at Benilde-St. Margaret's High. In a 1989 feature story in the Aquin student newspaper, Phillips' older brother recalled how at age 10 Jenny challenged the fastest boy on her block to a race, and won, showing a fearless streak that she became known for in competition.
In her Tommie days she was a multiple All-American relay anchor in sprint races on the track, and a shutdown defender in basketball who broke the school record for career steals. Her late-1980s basketball teams set the tone for St. Thomas' remarkable run of success during the 1990s.
Phillips remains connected to MIAC athletics, She's back working with her Tommie coach Ted Riverso, and is now in her third season as an Augsburg University assistant coach on Riverso's staff. Her resume includes a long stint with the Target Corporation, plus a long career in community service and development programs. A wife and mother of three, Phillips established the MLK Minneapolis Travel Basketball program, and is a co-creator of the ML King Park Fundamental Youth Basketball Development Program, both in South Minneapolis.
We salute and honor Lee and Jenny as trailblazers and inspirations for all Tommie student-athletes.
--
Lee Bellfield (1971-75)
- First black male inductee into St. Thomas Athletic Hall of Fame (1986)
- U.S. Army veteran prior to enrolling at St. Thomas
- First Tommie track and field NCAA All-American recipient on the track
- Three-time NCAA outdoor champion in 100 and 200 dashes
- Also competed in 1974 NCAA Indoor Championship meet in Detroit in 60 dash
- Outran future NFL Pro Bowl receiver and then Minnesota Gopher Rick Upchurch indoors at 60 dash
- Once held five St. Thomas school-records in sprint open and relay races
- Later coached track and field at St. Thomas and at Minneapolis North High
Jenny Phillips (1985-89)
- First black female inductee into St. Thomas Athletic Hall of Fame (1998)
- Nine-time track and field All-American, also was a standout guard in basketball
- Anchored seven Tommie 4x100 or 4x400 relays to top-seven placings at nationals
- Helped team win all four MIAC outdoor titles in her era and anchored the Toms' 4x100 relay to first all four years
- In conference championships, she contributed to seven firsts over her last two MIAC Outdoor meets
- Graduated with one individual and one relay school record
- Broke Tommie Women's Basketball records for career steals (323) and made 3-pointers in a game (six)
- Scored 897 career points; played on three NCAA tournament teams with combined 61-20 record in her final three seasons
- Basketball Team MVP as a senior, was three-time All-MIAC honoree on the court
Tommie Athletics Hall of Fame 2025
Monday, October 06
Press Conference: Tommie Football Postgame v Lindenwood 08/28/25
Friday, August 29
Tommie Football Intro Video 2025
Thursday, August 28
Beyond The Buzzer: Schoenecker Arena Setup
Wednesday, July 23
