Julie (Thein) Boom left Southwest Minnesota State the most prolific scorer in program history. She led the team in scoring all four years of her career and is still the school’s all-time scoring leader with 1,800 points. She also holds records for rebounds (913), field goals made (758) and field goals attempted (1,642). She also ranks third in steals (230), eighth in free throws made (284) and tied for ninth in games played (112) and blocked shots (71).
Thein was a three-time All-Northern Sun Conference first team member and a three-time NAIA All-District 13 honoree in 1989, 1990 and 1991. When she finished her career, Thein’s 1,800 career points ranked ninth on the all-time Minnesota collegiate women’s basketball scoring list. Thein led SMSU in scoring all four seasons, led the team in rebounding three times and also led the team in field goal percentage three times. A native of Clara City, Minn., Thein also holds the SMSU single-game record for points with 48 on Jan. 28, 1989 versus Valley City State (N.D.).
Thein was named one of SMSU’s top 30 female athletes from 1970 to 2000 and was inducted into the SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor in 2002.
Thein graduated in 1992 with a degree in Elementary Education. She currently is a sixth grade teacher and coach at Glyndon-Felton Elementary. Thein married Chad Boom and have two daughters, Sydney and Peyton. They reside in Barnsville, Minn.