Dannette Martin Leininger (born June 6, 1963) is an American former handball player who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics and in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Dannette Leininger
Personal information
Full nameDannette Martin Leininger
NationalityAmerican
Born (1963-06-06) 6 June 1963 (age 61)
Sport
SportHandball

Leininger was born on June 6, 1963.[1][2] She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Bloomington, Minnesota, and was inducted into the school's hall of fame in 2009.[3] Leininger then attended the University of Minnesota, where she earned a degree in secondary education.[4] Leininger played collegiate softball at UM, and was inducted into the school's Softball Hall of Fame.[5]

Leininger was a member of the United States women's national handball team and appeared in the 1992 Summer Olympics. She resigned from her positions as a teacher at Beamount Middle School and fastpitch softball coach at Saint Cloud High School in 1994 to train for the 1995 Pan American Games and 1996 Summer Olympics.[6][7] At the 1995 Pan Am Games, the women's national handballers won a gold medal.[8] During the 1996 Olympics, however, the United States finished last in the women's handball tournament.[8]

Following the end of her competitive career, Leininger remained with United States Team Handball Federation in an administrative capacity through 2006.[5] She then worked for the YMCA of Greater Boston.[5] By January 2008, Leininger moved to New York City to join the municipal Department of Parks and Recreation,[5] and also to manage the Al Oerter Recreation Center and Flushing Meadows Corona Aquatics Center.[9] In January 2012, Leininger was appointed deputy chief of recreation for Manhattan.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Dannette Leininger". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  2. ^ "Dannette Leininger". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  3. ^ Olson, Jason (September 14, 2016). "Jefferson set to induct latest hall of fame class, Sept. 16". Sun Current. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Dannette Leininger Appointed Manhattan Deputy Chief Of Recreation". The Daily Plant. New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. January 31, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d "Dannette M. Leininger Named "Rookie Of The Year" At Annual Awards". The Daily Plant. New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. March 12, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  6. ^ "LEININGER, PETERKA TO TRAIN FOR OLYMPIC HANDBALL TEAM". Orlando Sentinel. June 19, 1994. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  7. ^ Carroll, Frank (August 28, 1994). "CLARK TO COACH SOFTBALL AT ST. CLOUD HIGH SCHOOL". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Barnard, Bill (August 2, 1996). "It all fell apart for winless women's handball team". South Coast Today. Associated Press. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  9. ^ Colangelo, Lisa L. (April 14, 2009). "Gymgoers get fiscally & physically fit Park complex a fine thrifty option". New York Daily News. Retrieved February 16, 2020.