Liz Erickson of Austin will receive the Marie Berg Award in Education at the 24th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day Wednesday in St. Paul, Minn.

Erickson currently serves as a pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elkton, Minn. She taught middle school and high school health and physcial education in Lake City, Minn., while coaching volleyball and basketball. Erickson also worked for many years at the state girls tennis, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics and track tournaments.

As an athlete, teacher, coach, tournament worker, parent and advocate, whe has been and continues to be an avid promoter of girls athletics. As an athlete, Erickson played in the first game of the single season state girls baksetball tournament at the Met Center in 1976, particpated on the Austin High Track team that placed second in the state meet, and played on the AHS volleyball team that played in the state tournament in 1975. Erickson was the first female athlete inducted intot he AHS Hall of Fame in 1992.

The 2010 ceremony will be honoring 25 individuals who will be receiving awards in five separate categories. Award recipients are nominated by schools, community organizations, recreation centers, and amateur and professional sports organizations. All are invited to attend this special event.