Sunday, Aug. 19 is 'Lindsay Whalen Day' in Minnesota

On Sunday, Aug. 19, Minnesota will celebrate one of its favorite sports stars, Lindsay Whalen. 

Gov. Mark Dayton has declared Sunday "Lindsay Whalen Day" in honor of the Lynx point guard, who announced earlier this week she is retiring from professional basketball at the end of the 2018 season. Earlier this year, she accepted the position of women's basketball head coach at the University of Minnesota, her alma mater. 

Sunday is the Lynx's last regular season game, although the team has already clinched a playoff spot. 

Whalen, a Hutchinson, Minnesota native, has done a lot of winning in Minnesota, from leading the Hutchinson High School girl's basketball team to three conference championships to helping the Gophers women's basketball team to their first ever Final Four appearance to winning four WNBA championships with the Minnesota Lynx.

"Lindsay Whalen is a phenomenal champion and an inspiration to sports fans here in Minnesota and across the country," Dayton said in a statement. "Throughout her career, she has shown exception talent, determination, teamwork and leadership. It has been a thrill to watch Lindsay and the Minnesota Lynx win four WNBA championships. I look forward to following her continued success as the University of Minnesota women's basketball coach. Congratulations, Lindsay, Minnesota is enormously proud of you!"