C O L L E G E G A M E D AY BISON ILLUSTRATED SPECIAL EDITION
OCTOBER 2014
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CONTENTS
OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 9 ISSUE 3 Bison Illustrated is a free publication distributed monthly (10 times a year). Our mission is to help promote North Dakota State University Athletics, provide a quality and fun reading experience and to improve the way of life in our community. The publication is mailed to homes across the US and has newsstand distribution throughout North Dakota and Minnesota.
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PUBLISHER
Spotlight Media
PRESIDENT
Mike Dragosavich
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER EDITORIAL DIRECTOR EDITOR
THIS IS GAMEDAY
Take a look back a Fargo’s second GameDay. From behind the scenes action to the stars on camera, we got you covered on everything GameDay.
CONTRIBUTORS
Josh Swanson, Joe Kerlin, Steve Walker, Terry Ludlum, Andrew Jason, Cody Bickler
COPY EDITORS
Lisa Marchand, Cody Bickler, Gigi Wo od
MARKETING/SALES
BISON FASHION
Our second installment of Bison Fashion is back and better than before.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Todd Zabel was a champion on the field during the 80s and remains a champion today.
Joe Kerlin Sarah Geiger, George Stack
SALES MANAGER
100
Andrew Jason
DESIGN/LAYOUT
GENERAL MANAGER
70
Paul Bougie
Brent Tehven Craig Holmquist Tracy Nicholson, Paul Hoefer, Paul Bougie,
SOCIAL MEDIA
Kristen Killoran
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Codey Bernier
PHOTOGRAPHY
J. Alan Paul Photography, NDSU Athletics, Tiffany Swanson, Joseph Ravits, Andrew Jason
ADMINISTRATION
Heather Hemingway
SPECIAL THANKS
Ryan Perreault, Wes Offerman, Ryan Anderson, Jeff Schwartz, Colle en Heimstead
WEB DEVELOPER
Nick Schommer
DELIVERY
Chris Larson, George Stack, Peyton Berger, Hal Ecker
AT A GLANCE BISON PRIDE
18 Lee Fitting 22 Desmond Howard 30 Brock Jensen 54 SHAC Update 58 Name That Emily 62 How Well Do You Know 66 Ursinio Puga 8
68 Matt Larsen 86 Chronicles of the Hit Men 124 Prakash Mathew MORE
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info@spotlightmediafargo.com bisonillustrated.com @bisonmag facebook.com/bisonillustrated
FOR ADVERTISING CALL 701-478-SPOT (7768) or email info@spotlightmediafargo.com
Bison Illustrated is published monthly by Spotlight Media LLC. Print quantity exceeds 40,000 per issue. Printed in the U.S.A. Bison Illustrated does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented. Bison Illustrated assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Bison Illustrated is NOT an official publication of North Dakota State University. Send change of address information and other correspondence to: Spotlight Media LLC. 502 1st Ave N. First Floor Fargo ND, 58102 or info@spotlightmediafargo.com
FROM THE
PUBLISHER
A TWICE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE!
HOW COOL IS IT TO BE A BISON RIGHT NOW? There’s so much going on and so much content to put in this magazine. I hope you like our approach with how we put the design and photography together in this issue. We had quite a feat to try and one up last year’s College GameDay issue. The cover was a toss up amongst our office.
We had so many different ideas, but I think we found a classy and clean cover that combined the feel of the event.
our tradition through behindthe-scenes stories and first hand information from coaches, former players, current athletes and more.
We also wanted to include more than the event in the magazine with interviews with the Mayor of Frisco, a Bison fashion review and much more. Our goal with state wide distribution this year is to show people around the state who may be underexposed to NDSU, a new way of understanding
If any of you know me, you would know how much I support tailgating! It is one of my favorite things. So from here on out we are going to highlight a more thorough tailgating feature section. (Look for the photo of the alligator on the grill towards the back.)
GO BISON! Mike Dragosavich drago@spotlightmediafargo.com
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NOTES: Herd & Horns Update: We are about to break ground on the Herd & Horns Sports Bar and Grill next to NDSU Campus this month. We are going to launch a form on herdandhorns.com calling out to all NDSU Bison fans to help us build our menu and culture at the restaurant. We want to call it the “Restaurant the fans built.” So get your food and drink recipes, decor ideas and all of that ready, and submit them to us and we will try and incorporate them into the bar and grill.
What’s a Team Maker? I don’t know if you know this but we send a free Bison Illustrated in the mail each month to all NDSU Bison Team Makers. What has me curious is that in the last three years, we are only up a couple hundred team makers. So my thought process is: If everyone knew that to become a team maker was only $100 and the money goes to scholarships, I think we should be up thousands. But I think that knowledge is not quite there yet.
So here’s what we are going to do: If you would like to be a team maker for $100, personally email me at drago@spotlightmediafargo.com and I will help get you signed up. We all say, “The Strength is in the Herd!” Well, I think we should put our money where our mouths are. Last year we raised a little over $3 million and, according to USA Today, UND raised more than us. Now if that doesn’t get you going, what will? If 10,000 of us can put a $100 up to become a member that would put us at $1 million. That would essentially cover all our needs for scholarships. How cool is that? Let’s go Bison nation, this should be the number we are proud of. P.S. For all of you that want us to go to the Big 12, Iowa State raised over $13 million from their “Team Makers” program.
The Mobile/Tablet App The Bison Illustrated Mobile and Tablet App is available for free. We include extra content like videos and links. Download it today at Amazon, Android or Apple.
EDITOR’S
NOTE
Why Wouldn’t ESPN Love Fargo?
FROM THE EDITOR
For the second consecutive year, Downtown Fargo provided another perfect scene for ESPN’s College GameDay. Now, the bar has been set and I doubt anyone will be able to reach the heights set by Bison Nation.
Joe Kerlin Editor, Bison Illustrated CONTACT ME
I
’ve been lucky enough to be sitting in the second row inside the Off Broadway theatre for both of GameDay’s press conferences. During this ironic, media-meeting-themedia setting, you get to witness the nonchalant candidness of some of the heavy hitters ESPN offers on its wildly successful broadcasting network. Watching ESPN’s “talent” stand in front of the room, absorbing questions sent to them by newspaper and TV reporters, you can tell this isn’t a common position for them. But it’s in these moments you get to see them out from behind the desk, not following a script. You learn Chris Fowler can crack a joke with the best of them, while providing thoughtful opinions on his show and the entire college football landscape. You see Kirk Herbstreit, with his untucked dress shirt and loose tie, talk about his feelings on the Power 5 conferences and the new FBS fourteam playoff. You also learn producer Lee Fitting is a straight shooter with a true New York attitude who isn’t
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joe@bisonillustrated.com
@bisonmag
facebook.com/bisonillustrated
@j_kerlin
entirely comfortable with the lights shining in his eyes from the 10 cameras just a few feet away. This pageantry of GameDay coming to town doesn’t happen just anywhere. The entire GameDay crew repeatedly complimented Fargo and Bison Nation for the turnout during the show last year and they hinted that the enthusiasm is why they came back this season. “Flattery gets you a long ways in this business,” said Fowler. “We were very flattered by the turnout last year and also it’s a salute to a program that continues to amaze.” The hospitable nature of Fargo doesn’t surprise me. The attitude and conduct of Fargo residents shown to ESPN last month was one of the many reasons this is the best city in America. “This is my favorite place to come,” said Fitting. Seeing the scene from GameDay in Tallahassee, Fla., and Columbia, S.C., the weeks following
Fargo’s appearance, I don’t blame him. This again proves that Downtown Fargo is an obvious choice for the best GameDay atmosphere. The football team’s three national championships and endless winning streak is the reason ESPN chose Fargo. But the attitude and energetic vibe coming from the people of Fargo and downtown businesses is why ESPN came back. I said last year that the scene Fargo portrayed through millions of television sets across America would never be replicated. I couldn’t have been more wrong. GameDay Part Two blew last year’s show out of the water. There’s no argument. So again, I would like to congratulate everyone for providing a great scene downtown and giving me another day I will never forget. Thank you and let’s keep the momentum going for future appearances in the national limelight.
Go Bison,
Joe Kerlin
The LIST! FROM paul bougie CONTACT ME
701-478-7768 paulbougie@spotlightmediafargo.com
Is North Dakota State University a great institution? Are NDSU students some of the best and brightest? Is NDSU Athletics one of the top in the NCAA? Has NDSU found a qualified man to fill the shoes of Gene Taylor? As some of you might know, I had the honor and privilege of serving on the president’s search committee for the new athletic director. We had a blast, but it was a lot of hard work and soul searching. We all had in the back of our minds – can this guy be the next Gene Taylor? We will always be indebted to Taylor for his many achievements and he will be missed. However, Matt Larsen will be the new athletic director of NDSU, so we should all give him the Bison welcome he deserves. Larsen will do his best to continue the traditions at NDSU and continue the work of Taylor and all athletic directors before him. As supporters, we will still cheer, still continue to bleed green and yellow, and I know we will all support Larsen as he takes over the helm of the NDSU ship. He will bring continued excellence to the program and guidance to our student athletes on and off the field. So, I would like to officially welcome Larsen and his family to the Bison family and wish him much success as he starts this new journey. Remember, anything you need, just ask your new Bison family and they will be more than happy to assist. Good luck, and we hope to see you on the cover of Bison Illustrated soon.
Paul Bougie A veteran tailgator like Bougie always has something good cooking.
TEAM
PAGE
MEET THE TEAM We are Spotlight Media.
Every month, Spotlight Media brings you Stride, Fargo Monthly, Bison Illustrated and Design and Living Magazine. Here are the people behind these magazines.
Joe
Jesse
ANDREW
MIKE
Tracy
BRANDON
LISA
sarah
BOUGIE
Brent
CRAIG
gigi
George
KRISTEN
NICK
Michael
CODEY
HEATHER
PAUL
TIFFANY
To learn more about the team at Spotlight Media and our four magazines, go to spotlightmediafargo.com
GAMEDAY
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Last year was good, but could any of us imagine ESPN's College GameDay back in Downtown Fargo? The scene was surreal as nearly 10,000 Fargo residents and Bison faithful packed Broadway for GameDay's second trip to the city. Host Chris Fowler predicted it would be bigger and better and he was right, and we got everything from exclusive interviews with members of the ESPN crew and Brock Jensen to prove it. Ladies and gentlemen, this is GameDay. By Joe Kerlin Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography, Andrew Jason and Tiffany Swanson 17
LEE
FITTING
The Man
Behind GameDay Lee Fitting
What does it take to create college football’s most popular pregame show? Lee Fitting is glad you asked. Fitting has been producing College GameDay for 11 years and with three Sports Emmy Awards in his back pocket, you could say he’s doing a fine job. Fitting has also turned into quite the Bison enthusiast as he and lead anchor Chris Fowler are credited with giving Fargo its first chance on GameDay last year. Fitting and the gang came back for more, and we got the chance to talk to the producer just before the show. By Joe Kerlin
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My TURF is here with the Bison. Make it yours too!
LEE FITTING
When you first came to ESPN, did you ever work with GameDay while you were working as a production assistant? “Not as a production assistant. I started working with GameDay when I was an associate producer. I produced features for GameDay for two years prior to becoming the producer.”
How would you explain GameDay as a television show to someone who has never seen it?
“Very simply put, it’s a three-hour table setter for the day in college football. Our goal every week is to get viewers prepared to watch as full a day of college football as possible, and, along the way, doing it in an entertaining manner, and to tell interesting on-the-field and off-the-field stories that many viewers don’t know anything about prior to our show.”
How is bouncing around the country week to week beneficial for you guys and the show’s success over the past few years?
“Any time you do a live show in front of thousands of college kids and talk college football at 9 o’clock in the morning, it’s tough to screw that up. It’s also tough to do really well. It gives us fresh audiences every week, and the show rarely gets stale because of that. The challenge is to try and keep it fresh from week to week.”
So when you became the producer of the show 11 years ago, a lot of the guys on the desk were already there. What were those challenges right off the bat?
“There was a million challenges. I was lucky to get thrown on to a show that had a ton of success already. For the first three years I was just sort of picking my spot, and it was a small spot, just trying to find a few little things with the show that can be improved upon. I was lucky that I didn’t have to come in and start from scratch. They had an awesome, very successful foundation and I just had to come in those first couple years and keep the ship on course, if you will.”
What are you most proud of with the development of the show?
“The pureness that we kept over the years; the passion the entire crew has kept on and off the show over the years. Anything we put on the air we do for one purpose, and that is because we think the viewer cares. There are no other ultimatums, there are no other agendas on College GameDay
“It started last year in the lead up to bringing GameDay there, then we hammered it home when GameDay was in Fargo last year. After that weekend in Fargo, we all started following the Bison a little closer each and every week. We started realizing how dominant they were and how big time of a program they are. Again, the reason we mention them every week is because we thought it was important to our viewers to mention them. There is no other agenda there. It’s not like it was a cute little story. Some people approach it as a novelty or a cute story. We don’t approach it that way. We approach it as North Dakota State today is a big part of the college football landscape and we’re going back to pay homage to that.”
In saying that, do you think GameDay would have an influence on whether NDSU eventually moved up to the FBS?
Photo by Brent Tehven
other than to serve the college football fans first. There are a bunch of other shows out there on television that haven’t stayed true to that for whatever reason. But on GameDay, we don’t care what network is covering a game, or what conference your team is playing in or what level your school is. We just care about the most interesting stories for the fans. Keeping that going on for 25 years is the thing I am most proud of.”
What did you guys know about NDSU before that Kansas State game last year?
“We knew about them. I mean, you follow the sport, you see they won a couple championships prior to that and they were a perennial top 10, top five team. We knew that they were a very successful program. We obviously educated ourselves substantially further last year when we did the show there. In doing so, I think we have educated America on the Bison, which is great.”
It’s almost like a little cult following ESPN has for NDSU with you guys mentioning NDSU on every show. How did the interest development come about?
Fitting takes questions from Fargo media before Saturday’s show.
BIO HOMETOWN Orient, N.Y. ALMA MATER James Madison University EXPERIENCE ESPN (16 years) CURRENT SHOWS College GameDay (football, basketball), BCS Countdown FORMER SHOWS SportsCenter Golf’s major championships AWARDS 3 Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Studio Show Weekly (2008, 2010 & 2011)
“One could say that. I don’t think that is automatically a good thing. There are a lot of schools out there now saying that they should be a division I-A, FBS school. I don’t think that directly equates to being a positive. Think of how many schools make the jump from FCS to FBS and you never hear from them again. There are the schools like Appalachian State that make that jump. I think the fans want to pound on their chest and say, ‘We made it to FBS.’ But when you get up there, nine times out of 10 you turn into the bottom. No one hears from them when they are getting beat 45-0 by Alabama, Tennessee or Auburn.”
What is it about Fargo that makes it the unique destination?
“What makes Fargo great for GameDay is very similar to what makes Auburn or Alabama or Georgia great for GameDay. It is the unbelievable passion the fans have for their team and the sport. It’s a different kind of passion in that it’s not the 200-acre RV after RV tailgate, but the passion is there and it’s true passion. They care about the team and they are excited about their team and excited about the sport. That’s what made it great last year. It wasn’t that it was a smaller, Midwestern town in a state that doesn’t have a huge population. It was cool because the fans were so passionate about what the guys talk about, and what we put on the air and what those fans see on the field every day. That’s what made it awesome. And it was real. It wasn’t a fake passion. You could sense right away it was real and that was awesome.”
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DESMOND HOWARD
The Man
in the spotlight desmond howard
Desmond Howard is only one of four football players to have received the Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP. Although the list of accolades is endless for this former University of Michigan standout, Howard is now a staple personality who finds himself all over ESPN’s family of networks. Howard’s media career took off as fast as his 1991 92-yard punt return touchdown against Ohio State. He first graced the camera of College GameDay in 2005, climbing the ranks as a centerpiece of the show while sitting next to Chris Fowler and the gang at the desk. We caught up with Howard just days before GameDay returned to Fargo to talk about his experiences on TV and why he enjoys this town so much. By Joe Kerlin
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Did you think ESPN College GameDay coming to Fargo was going to work last year?
“Yeah, I thought it was going to work because when you go somewhere that has a town that loves college football and you have never been there before, that’s a perfect recipe for an amazing atmosphere and an amazing environment. And that’s what happened. At that point, North Dakota State had won two national championships; you have a community that supports the program and loves the program and just loves college football. Now you have a premier college football show coming to your town. I don’t see where there would be any failure or drawback.”
How do you assess beforehand what’s going to make a good show?
“It’s not rocket science. It’s not difficult. The crowd, first and foremost, and the energy from the start. They (Fargo) brought both. It was like Mardi Gras came to Fargo with everyone on the rooftops, the balconies, everyone on the street was excited and exuberant fans with energy. The weather couldn’t have been nicer. It was a perfect day. It was great for TV and great for our show.”
How much did you know about NDSU before the Kansas State victory last year?
“I knew about some of the marquee victories they have pulled off. When you start beating FBS schools with some sort of regularity you put yourself on people’s radar, so to speak, and they were definitely on people’s radar. They were one FCS team we were very aware of.”
How does NDSU manage to get a reference on every College GameDay show while you guys are discussing all these BCS programs?
“It happens when you have continued success and being consistently great. I tell people all the time, no matter where you are, what you do, if you show signs of greatness with some sort of consistency, someone somewhere will always take notice. Case in point, NDSU.”
Many see NDSU knocking on the door of the FBS; would you feel that GameDay had anything to do with it?
“I think GameDay has helped to bring some
national attention to NDSU, but any time NDSU and what they have done on the field is what really helped them get notoriety and people actually start to murmur about them moving to the FBS. You have to give a tremendous amount of credit to the football program, the coaches, the staff, or anyone who is involved in what they have been able to do with that regularity and consistency.”
When did you know you wanted to go into covering sports after your NFL career?
“I majored in communications when I went to the University of Michigan so I kind of knew I wanted to go into sports television. Now I could not say GameDay was what I wanted to do because GameDay didn’t exist when I was in college. Herbstreit was playing against me and was on the Buckeyes’ roster (laughs). So I can’t say, ‘Hey you know when I was in college, I used to wake up and watch GameDay and that’s what I wanted to do.’ Nah. That wasn’t a part of the experience because it didn’t exist.”
You can relate to the players because you were once on the big stage, so what do you think it means to them when GameDay comes to their university?
“I think it means a lot. I don’t know exactly how much it means, and that would be a great question for the players because I can’t speak for them. But I think it would mean a tremendous amount because everyone wants to be on TV and get some sort of recognition and some sort of notoriety.”
Who was your greatest influence during your broadcasting career?
“I didn’t have many influences to be honest with you. I just started doing it. Just rolled with it. Here at ESPN, they kind of throw you right in the fire; there weren’t any practices or anything like that. They put you out there and you just do what you do. It’s been fun. It’s been on-the-job training. The guys that I work with, they have helped me tremendously. Those guys are the best of the best.”
How did you get on GameDay?
“An audition. I auditioned with about four other people.”
Howard discusses the day in college football on the GameDay set.
Interview continued
Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography
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DESMOND HOWARD
At first you were contributing but now you’re on the desk most of the time. What’s it like to be on the stage with those guys?
“It’s great because I paid my dues. I worked my way up to where I am so it’s always a great feeling when you earn something as significant as that. When you’re up with those guys – like I said – they’re the best of the best. I’m not just saying that because I’m working with them; they are. I put those three up against anyone in the country every time.”
How do you balance your Michigan/Big Ten bias with your objective opinion?
CAREER AT MICHIGAN Howard received 85 percent of the Heisman Trophy, the second biggest margin of victory in the trophy’s history. During his Big Blue career, Howard broke 12 single-season school records and was the first Big Ten receiver to lead the conference
in scoring. He was inducted into the “I just try to stay honest, you know? I can’t let people’s perception of why I College Football Hall of Fame in 2011. might say something influence me saying it. Like last week (Sept. 6), I looked at Virginia Tech week one, I looked at Ohio State against Navy, and they asked me on Friday on SportsCenter, 'Should a top 10 team be on upset alert?' I said, ‘Of course. Ohio State.’ And everyone looked at me like I was crazy. And on Saturday when we got the chance to pick the teams, I said Virginia Tech and Ohio State, in Columbus, in the Horseshoe, at night. And once again, they looked at me like I had two heads (laughs). Then you have people on Twitter saying, ‘That’s just because he went to Michigan and Photos courtesy of hates the Buckeyes.” And I’m just like, Michigan Athletics ‘What?’ And then when the final score came in they said, ‘Maybe he knew a little something. Maybe he wasn’t overrating.’ I can’t let other people’s perceptions of why I select a team or whatever; I can’t let that influence why I said it. If it’s what I feel based on my knowledge of the sport, then I’m going Howard played 11 seasons in the to say it.” NFL with five teams. He was picked
NFL CAREER
But Desmond, don’t they know you’re an elite college football mind? “I know. All these geniuses out on Twitter (laughs).”
fourth overall in the 1992 draft by the Washington Redskins and played one year in Green Bay, where he won the Super Bowl XXXI MVP after returning a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. He is the only special teams player to be named MVP of a Super Bowl in NFL history.
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How many times are you asked to do that Heisman pose?
“I couldn’t put a number on it (laughs). I really couldn’t.”
Our favorite moment from last year was when the players had the opportunity to meet the ESPN crew the Friday before the show. “Yeah, that was really cool. We really enjoyed it, too. We really did.”
Is that something you do every week?
“No not at all. I mean it depends on the schedule. These players, these teams, these coaches have their schedule and we don’t want to interrupt their schedule. Sometimes it doesn’t fit with our schedule because we have one, too. We have to do TV and we have to contribute to a lot of different shows on Friday. Everything has to work out and it happened to work out when we were in Fargo.”
What’s the toughest thing about being on TV so much during college football season?
“The travel, definitely. Some people ask, ‘Didn’t you travel like this in the NFL?’ Like, listen, no, no, no. There are 16 games in the NFL; there are eight games at home. That means you’re only traveling eight times. That’s it. Unless you go to the playoffs and that kind of stuff. Then you’re going to major cities. The travel is as easy as it could possibly be. You know what I’m saying? Last week, I had to take four planes to get to Eugene (Ore.) from Miami. That helps put things in perspective for people that think you travel all the time in the NFL. It’s totally different. You’re not going through the TSA, you’re not taking two planes, then a bus ride to get down to Stillwater, Okla. It’s a different level of travel when you’re in the NFL. Trust me on that one.”
Thanks for taking the time today, Desmond.
“My pleasure, and I’m looking forward to getting back up there. It was fantastic time so we’re all excited to get back there.”
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GAMEDAY
logistics For the second consecutive year, GameDay was back in the heart of Downtown Fargo, closing down two blocks of Broadway for three days. As many wandered in awe around the set Thursday morning, ESPN's crew of 50 joined forces with 15 local contractors to construct the scene for GameDay. The set has been measured to 32 square feet, but adding in the other bells and whistles with the demo field and pit, GameDay's footprint exceeded 100 square feet. Thursday morning is when the construction began for the stage and
the two towers holding the "fly-cam." This process takes four to five hours. The technicians arrived after the stage construction was over and by Friday morning, everything was ready for live shots to be used on SportsCenter. Up to eight trucks are used to bring the equipment and people to help GameDay build the set in a different location across America every week. ESPN brings no fewer than nine cameras with them each week and in 2010, they introduced the "fly-cam," which can be seen traveling back and forth above the fans in the pit.
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GAMEDAY
security Ensuring every college football fan has a safe and enjoyable GameDay experience, no shortcuts are taken by ESPN and local security. “Once the show starts, it goes fast,” an ESPN Global Security staff member said. “Even though it’s three hours, it’s fast. We’re constantly walking, making sure everyone is good, making sure everyone is safe and there are no issues.” ESPN provides three members of its Global Security staff to each site of GameDay, alternating between two crews every other week. The crews are specific to College GameDay during the fall, but the crew assigned to Fargo was also the same crew that helped during the NBA Finals in San Antonio, Texas earlier this summer. Fargo Police Lt. Joel Vettel was great at providing the help ESPN security needed over the weekend, said the Global Security staffer.
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“We do (get help at other locations), but not to this extent. Joel is out here with us every day to go through things. And we don’t get that. We have cities that are willing to help us, but not to this extent.” The Global Security staff said Lt. Vettel helped them find the right security personnel in Fargo. Vettel also assisted in working with local businesses to get ESPN’s cameras where they needed to be. North Dakota State was hospitable to the ESPN crew over the weekend, as well. University President Dean Bresciani showed his appreciation by inviting some of the staff to his campus home for dinner Thursday night. “You don’t get that,” said the Global Security staff. “How often does the president of the school ask ‘Please come have dinner at our home.’ You don’t get that type of welcome everywhere. You always get a welcome, but to that extent like this? It’s been fantastic.”
BROCK JENSEN
celebrity
guest brock jensen
Speculating who the celebrity guest picker is one of the biggest mysteries of ESPN's College GameDay. The debate about who the guest picker was going to be the second time ESPN came to Fargo ranged from former men's basketball coach Saul Phillips to former Miss North Dakota Audra Mari. "I knew I was in the mix, from what people were saying, but I didn’t think I was actually going to be picked," Brock Jensen said about being selected to join the GameDay crew on stage. Jensen gave a great follow-up performance to Phil Hansen, who was chosen to take the stage as last year's guest picker. Jensen, the all-time winningest FCS quarterback, showed off his three national championship rings while shooting the breeze with some of college football's most notable figures. "I didn’t go down last year, so it was an amazing experience," Jensen said. "It’s really fun from a fan's point of view. Fargo is pretty crazy." Jensen was a busy man on the morning of GameDay. He also unfurled the new championship banner off a building just south of the main stage, overlooking an ecstatic GameDay crowd. Bison fans have been keeping tabs on their former quarterback as he attempted to make a NFL roster over the summer. It was Jensen's first time back in the Fargo limelight. Jensen was cut two separate times by the Miami Dolphins in August. He said it was fun sharing his NFL experience with former teammate Billy Turner, who was drafted by Miami in the third round of this year's NFL draft. Jensen said he hopes to see Turner on a field again some time soon.
By Joe Kerlin Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography 30
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BROCK JENSEN
Currently, Jensen is playing in the FXFL for the Omaha Mammoths. The FXFL is a NFL Developmental League, meaning Jensen can keep playing football while maintaining his free-agent status to make him available for NFL organizations to pick him up any time during the season. "I didn’t get a chance to get that film out there during the preseason in the NFL," Jensen said. "This will give me a chance to do that and hopefully speed up the process of getting picked up and placed on a practice squad faster than it normally would by just hanging around and looking for a call.” Before he took the field again in Omaha and amid all the GameDay pageantry, it was also Jensen's first game as a fan at a Bison home game. He said he was told how crazy it gets in the tailgating lot, but never thought it would be so much fun, describing tailgating as the "real deal." Although Jensen is done suiting up for the Bison, he said he still thinks the Bison can win another championship, calling this team the "quad-squad." "We still got almost our whole defense coming back, a great offense, still good in special teams and we’re still a really solidcoached team," explained Jensen. "I just don’t see us getting beat.” Jensen's longtime back up, Carson Wentz, also received high praise from the former Bison quarterback. Jensen explained how he's "off to a great start" and "hopes he can keep it up." From unveiling the championship banner with all three of his national titles, to appearing on ESPN, to tailgating just as hard as any other Bison fan, Jensen enjoyed his wild homecoming. Jensen concluded his wild recap of GameDay weekend by saying he can't wait to be back for more.
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B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • O C T O B E R 2 014
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GAMEDAY
how a baby bison became
a tv star Photos & Story by Andrew Jason
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B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • O C T O B E R 2 014
He was made famous last year during College GameDay’s first appearance in Fargo. His legacy was cemented in NDSU history this year during GameDay’s second appearance. We’re talking about Corso the bison, of course. The story of how Corso ended up on GameDay is what’s interesting, though. The Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton was looking to do a live mascot program with NDSU, when the zoo was contacted about a bison farmer who had an abandoned baby bison that needed to be bottle-fed. The Chahinkapa Zoo brought Corso in, not knowing if he would live, and began to bottle feed the baby bison. When GameDay came, everything changed. “GameDay came and ESPN contacted NDSU, who spoke with us and said that they want to know where to get a bison,” said Chahinkapa Zoo Director Kathy Diekman. “I said, ‘He’s not in the training program, but what would you like?’ They said that they’d like him to go in the back of the Fargo Theatre and stand there and wait while there are 6,000 people, and then we want him to come out on the red carpet with Lee Corso. I went, ‘Well, OK.’” Everyone knows how the experience went last year. Corso the bison once again made national television with Lee Corso in the back of a horse trailer this year. So how did Corso the bison handle the national exposure again? “He (Corso) wanted off the trailer to go amongst people,” said Corso’s handler Tom Schmaltz. “He loves being around people, so he was ready to get off the trailer, but he was fine. He just stood there. When we had Lee Corso take the lead rope, I kept one lead rope tucked out of sight. Corso just stood there and I know that Lee Corso was a little concerned when he looked back and saw the size of him. It was a priceless expression on his face.”
GAMEDAY
signs The community showed its strong support for the Bison upon GameDay’s arrival as many of the downtown businesses raised banners, showing their Bison Pride. From the top of the Bank of the West building to the streets of Broadway, signs, a GameDay staple, flooded Downtown. Here are some of our favorites throughout the day.
GAMEDAY
players on set
39
GAMEDAY
early arrival It was GameDay’s sixth appearance at a non-FBS game. The Fargo crowd was antsy for its school’s second appearance and lined up Friday night to get a front row spot in the pit. As the number of campers outside the GameDay set grew, eager Bison fans were finally allowed inside the pit at 6 a.m. The area around the stage quickly filled up two hours before the show started.
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B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D O C T O B E R 2 014
GAMEDAY
crowd ESPN’s Global Security anticipated over 7,000 people flooding the streets of Downtwon Fargo to witness the GameDay spectacle. City officials said the turnout was from 9,000-10,000: twice as many fans as last year. People lined the balconies and rooftop on the 300 Building, while underneath, movement from one side of the set to the other was impossible with Bison fans showing their horns for the camera. Power Five Conference Schools GameDay Hasn't Been To: 16 Baylor Cal Duke Kansas Illinois Indiana Iowa State Louisville Maryland Minnesota Mississippi State Rutgers Syracuse Virginia Wake Forest Washington State
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GAMEDAY
Layne Billing is battling osteogenic sarcoma. During Sanford’s 61 For 61 fundriaser, Layne was able to meet Robbie and Dave of 107.9 The Fox. The 8-year-old and his family were invited to attend College GameDay. He was picked up in a limo with Robbie and Dave and Miss North Dakota, Audra Mari. While at the set, he was able to go inside the College GameDay bus, have a photo-op on the GameDay set and have a front row seat to watch the show.
family
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B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D O C T O B E R 2 014
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the crew Tom Rinaldi stands atop the overhang of the Fargo Theatre to tease his story about a Marshall quarterback Rakeem Cato who grew up in the rough neighborhoods of Liberty City, Fla. Rinaldi delivered his story about NDSU last year on one of the balconies on the 300 Building. He was also the only person among the GameDay crew to venture off the set during the broadcast.
GameDay Crew in Fargo: Chris Fowler Lee Corso Kirk Herbstreit Desmond Howard David Pollack Samantha Ponder Gene Wojciechowski Tom Rinaldi
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20140217 Bison Illustrated.indd 1
2/18/14 4:51 PM
GAMEDAY
Two games into his head coaching job at NDSU and ESPN has already given Chris Klieman more air time than anyone expected coming into the season. Replacing Craig Bohl in front of the TV cameras this year was a unique opportunity Klieman deservedly earned when Samantha Ponder and ESPN arrived back in Fargo. The visibility gained by another GameDay is priceless for the university and should exponentially help in recruiting.
NDSU wasn’t the only one introducing someone new this year at GameDay. Sideline reporter Samantha Ponder brought her daughter, Bowden SaintClaire Ponder, to Fargo for GameDay. Bowden, more commonly referred to as Scout, was born over the summer and named after Samantha’s husband Christian Ponder’s football coach at Florida State, Bobby Bowden. Scout will be traveling with her mother all season for College GameDay.
GAMEDAY
See ya next year!
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BISON
52
FUN
B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D O C T O B E R 2 014
BISON SHOTS Lt. Joel Vettel and a pair of ESPN Security personnel found a moment of relaxation next to the set during ESPN’s College GameDay. Nearly 10,000 people attended the morning event before the Bison kicked-off its home opener against Incarnate Word. Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography
?
WANT MORE
Check out the Bison Illustrated App! Available for Android, Amazon, and Apple devices.
53
SHAC
UPDATE
POOL
The Construction Continues The Sanford Health Athletic Complex has changed quite a bit since we showed you the progress last month. Step inside the SHAC with us and construction manager Darren Kruse to see how far along the construction crew has come. Photos and Story by Andrew Jason
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While the BSA’s pool hasn’t been used for nearly a decade, the construction crew is working on clearing it of any debris before filling it in with cement. This area will house the weight room as well as a therapeutic pool and hot and cold tubs.
TRESSES
DEMOLITION
Work is being done to reinforce the tresses in the ceiling, as that is where the air handling system will be. They are retrofitting the tresses that were already there so they will be able to support the weight of the air handling system. By retrofitting parts of the building, NDSU is saving a lot of money.
Demolition is nearing completion. The construction crew will need to rip out the concrete floors in the east end of the building, but they are waiting for all the work to be finished on the ceiling. “We’re at a hinge point,” said Kruse. “We’re getting closer to being done with the demo, then we’ll start putting in the new stuff – floors, walls.”
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SHAC
UPDATE No construction project is without its delays. The SHAC is no different. The steel supplier had trouble meeting the construction quota, so work on the SHAC is behind schedule.
MECHANICAL
WEST
There has been a lot of mechanical and electrical work done in the building. Electricians have been busy laying conduits to get the electrical system underway. One project they have spent a lot of time on is the third floor mechanical room. The crew has also been laying a lot of new heating ducts as well as laying lines in the ground for plumbing and electrical.
Foundations are quickly going up and the masonry work is ongoing to lay the brick walls. The goal is to have as many walls up as possible before a cold snap comes in. It is important to keep the construction crew warm. Kruse hopes to have the south and west addition closed off, but doesn’t believe they’ll get everything enclosed.
COMING UP 56
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Check back next month to find out the news about the SHAC construction that is expected to be complete in October 2016.
VOLLEYBALL
PLAYERS
Name That
EMILY MIMS, MILLI, AND RONI. The three Emilys (Minnick, Milligan, and Miron) have built a bond like no other. These three sophomores are a key part in the future of the young Bison volleyball team. Apart from the fact that they all are Emily M, see what makes each Emily unique to the team’s success. By Cody Bickler | Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography
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59
VOLLEYBALL
PLAYERS
IT’S NOT OFTEN THAT ONE RECRUITING CLASS HAS THREE PLAYERS WITH THE SAME NAME, LET ALONE SAME FIRST LETTER IN THEIR LAST NAME AS WELL. BUT THAT WAS THE CASE FOR NDSU LAST SEASON. To avoid confusion, the team came up with nicknames right away for each one. Emily Milligan is Milli, which is a nickname she has had since high school. Emily Minnick is Mims. According to Milligan, it comes from the band Mims. Emily Miron is Roni because of the ending to her last name. With each of them having a nickname, they can put their focus on the success of the team. All three made immediate impacts as freshmen last season. Minnick hit .280 as a freshman in 2013, which was the highest mark by an NDSU freshman since career record holder Megan Lambertson hit .287 in 2009. Miron and Milligan were both also named to the Summit League All-Freshmen team. “It has been huge,” said assistant coach Sarah Rauen. “They are all leaders in their own ways. The two taller Emilys (Minnick and Miron) are forces for us in the middle. A lot of teams will usually have one good middle attacker. It is very rare to have two, so that has been huge for us.” This is a lethal combination of talent that makes the Bison so dangerous offensively. The Bison also have a force defensively. “Milligan is the leader of our defense and the leader of our ball control,” Rauen says. “She is someone we know we can rely on day in and day out. She keeps people calm and excited on the court. She really is one of our main leaders on the court, which is a good thing.” This instant impact was unexpected by the young stars. “We only had four returning players and eight incoming freshmen,” Milligan said. “I never imagined this being the case going into college.” Despite their individual successes, the team struggled as a whole, finishing with a 6-22 record overall. Struggles like this can come with having such a young team. Nine of the 15 players on the roster last season were underclassmen. Without the guidance of 60
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EMILY MINNICK, EMILY MILLIGAN AND EMILY MIRON upperclassmen, the young players don’t have the experience to know how to overcome the inevitable adversity that comes in a long season. Coach Rauen acknowledged the struggles that come with a young team, but also the upside it brings. “We have a lot of days, a lot of frustrations where they have always been good at their sport, but haven’t known why,” said Rauen. “So explaining the ‘why’ to them can be a challenge sometimes. Dealing with them if they do make a freshman mistake or a sophomore mistake, usually you can mask that if you only have one or two young people. It is taken care of by upperclassmen. We are in a situation where it is pretty
evident if they are having some of those moments. But it is exciting on the flip side, as well. I feel like we grow a year every week.” This season, the Bison look to lean on the three Emilys, as well as the rest of their young team, to improve on the disappointing season last year. They know there is still room to grow, but with another year of experience under their belt, we should all expect great things from Bison volleyball this season. As for Mims, Milli, and Roni, look for their chemistry to continue to grow. They have moved past the confusion of which Emily is who, and now continue to push each other to be better each and every day.
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CHEMISTRY
QUIZ
Brett
KELLY? ld What wou Brett say?
T
he men’s cross country team is looking to take the leap this season from the middle of the pack in the Summit League to conference champions. Leading the way for the Bison will be three seniors: Brett Kelly, Marty Joyce and Lucas DeGree.
THE QUESTIONS
BRETT’S ANSWERS
MARTY JOYCE
LUCAS DEGREE
Anything that he can dance to. Preferably something with a decent amount of bass, but absolutely no treble.
1. What is your favorite genre of music?
Anything but heavy metal stuff
Rap
2. What’s your favorite TV show?
The Office
The Office
3. Where in the world would you like to visit?
Ireland
Rome
Europe
Professional athlete
No idea. Something to do with chemistry.
Something where he can wear a white coat and be in a lab setting
5. When did you start running long-distance?
4th grade
9th Grade
Grade 7
6. Who is your favorite actress?
Jennifer Lawrence
4. What’s your dream job?
+1
The Office +1
Jennifer Lawrence Jennifer Lawrence +1
7. What’s your favorite sporting event to attend at NDSU?
Football (obviously)
Football
3-7 62
B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • O C T O B E R 2 014
+1
+1
Girls track, especially the heptathlon
2- 7
28TH ANNUAL
NOVEMBER 1 & 2 Noon - 5pm View area homes in fabulous holiday décor by these creative designers:
SHOTWELL FLORAL 4000 40th St S, Fargo
HOLLAND’S
THE STUDIO
1201 Center Ave, Moorhead
11 8th St S, Fargo
AARTISAN HOME DESIGN
UNGLUED
4575 23rd Ave S, Fargo
408 N Broadway, Fargo
SCHEELS HOME & HARDWARE
MODERN TEXTILES
3202 13th Ave S, Fargo
17 7th St S, Fargo
THE WHITE HOUSE BOUTIQUE
PRAIRIE PETALS
at Junk Market Event, Fargo
210 N Broadway, Fargo
Tickets $20 in advance & during event from above merchants and at F-M CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 2001 44th St SW, Fargo Stop by for coffee & cookies, handcrafts and spruce planters during event. Sponsored by NDSU Alpha Gamma Delta Alumnae Proceeds will be shared with YWCA Emergency Shelter Program www.facebook.com/fmhomesfortheholidays
UPCOMING
SEASON
SPORTING CALENDAR OCT/NOV
OCTOBER 5 Women’s Soccer vs IUPUI
Women’s Volleyball at Oral Roberts (Tulsa, Okla.) 12:30 p.m.
Women’s Volleyball vs Western Illinois (Fargo) 1 p.m.
5
12 Women’s Soccer at South
5 Women’s Golf Iowa Diane
12 Women’s Golf Denver Ron
Thomason Invitational (Iowa City, Iowa)
10 Women’s Soccer at
Omaha (Omaha, Neb.) 7 p.m.
10 Women’s Volleyball at
Denver (Denver, Colo.) 8 p.m.
10 Women’s Golf Denver Ron
Moore Intercollegiate (Denver, Colo.)
11 Football vs Southern Illinois
(Homecoming) (Fargo) 1 p.m. Chase Morlock, Moorhead native, saw playing time his freshman year.
12
(Fargo) 12 p.m.
11 Women’s Golf Denver Ron
Moore Intercollegiate (Denver, Colo.)
Dakota (Vermillion, SD) 1 p.m.
Moore Intercollegiate (Denver, Colo.)
13 Men’s Golf Maryland
Terrapin Invitational (Rockville, Md.)
14 Men’s Golf Maryland
1 Men’s Cross Country
Summit League Championships (Fargo) TBA
1 Women’s Cross Country
Summit League Championships (Fargo) TBA
2
Women’s Volleyball vs South Dakota (Fargo) 1 p.m.
5
Men’s Basketball vs Minot State (Exhibition) (Fargo) 7 p.m.
17
7 Women’s Volleyball at
Women’s Soccer vs South Dakota State (Fargo) 7 p.m.
18 Women’s Cross Country UND Ron Pynn Invitational (Grand Forks, ND) 2 p.m.
18 Football vs Indiana State (Fargo) 2:30 p.m.
18 Men’s Cross Country 18
Women’s Volleyball at Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne, Ind.) 6 p.m.
19
Women’s Soccer at Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne, Ind.) 11 a.m.
19
Women’s Volleyball at Valparaiso (Valparaiso, Ind.) 6 p.m.
24 Women’s Volleyball vs
Western Illinois (Macomb, Ill.) 6 p.m
7
Women’s Basketball vs Bemidji State (Exhibition) (Fargo) 7 p.m.
8 Football at Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 4 p.m.
8 Women’s Volleyball at
IUPUI (Indianapolis, Ind.) 6 p.m.
14 Women’s Basketball vs Kent State (Fargo) 12 p.m.
14 Women’s Cross Country
NCAA Midwest Regional (Peoria, Ill.) 12 p.m.
14 Men’s Cross Country
NCAA Midwest Regional (Peoria, Ill.) 1 p.m.
14 Women’s Volleyball vs Fort
Omaha (Fargo) 7 p.m.
Wayne (Fargo) 7 p.m.
24 Women’s Soccer vs
14 Men’s Basketball at Texas
25
15 Football at Missouri State
Denver (Fargo) 7 p.m.
Football at South Dakota (Vermillion, SD) 2 p.m.
26
(Austin, Texas) TBA
(Springfield, Mo.) 2 p.m.
15 Women’s Volleyball vs Oral
Women’s Volleyball vs South Dakota State (Fargo) 1 p.m.
Roberts (Fargo) 5 p.m.
27 Men’s Golf McNeese State
Milwaukee (Fargo) 2 p.m.
Quail Valley Intercollegiate (Vero Beach, Fla.)
28 Women’s Volleyball vs Denver (Fargo) 7 p.m.
28 Men’s Golf McNeese State Quail Valley Intercollegiate (Vero Beach, Fla.)
31 Women’s Soccer at Oral Roberts (Tulsa, Okla.) 7 p.m.
B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • O C T O B E R 2 014
State (Dakota Marker) (Fargo) 2:30 p.m.
Terrapin Invitational (Rockville, Md.)
UND Ron Pynn Invitational (Grand Forks, ND) 2:45 p.m.
64
NOVEMBER 1 Football vs South Dakota
16 Women’s Basketball vs 17 Men’s Basketball at Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa) 7 p.m.
19 Women’s Basketball at
Western Michigan (Kalamazoo, Mich.) 6 p.m.
21-23 Women’s Volleyball
vs Summit League Tournament (Indianapolis, Ind.) TBA
INTERNATIONAL
BISON
By Joe Kerlin Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography
O S I B N m fro
LA CORUÑA, SPAIN is known for
its 187-foot lighthouse called the Roman Tower of Hercules. The ancient Romans who conquered Spain and built the tower in the second century believed La Coruña was the end of earth. Little did they know, 4,000 miles west there would be a university in North America where one of La Coruña’s residents would attend college. Ursinio Puga started his American story as an exchange student in Michigan and today it continues at North Dakota State University.
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INTERVIEW:
La Coruña, Spain Photo courtesy of digplanet.com
HOW NEW WAS THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TO YOU WHEN YOU BECAME AN EXCHANGE STUDENT? “I did take some classes in high school, just like you would do with your Spanish classes. But those first couple of weeks in Michigan I had no idea what was going on. I would just say yes to everything. I remember my teacher assigning something that was due on Thursday, and I would say ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah.’ But in my head I was like, ‘I have no clue what she is telling me to do.’”
YOU SOUND FLUENT NOW. “I don’t think in Spanish anymore. People ask, ‘Do you still translate in your mind?’ I say I just speak. In fact, I’m at the point where I’m trying to say something in Spanish, but the English word is coming and I have to say ‘No, I’m not looking for that word, I’m looking for the Spanish word.’”
HOW DID YOU END UP AT NDSU? “Three months before school started; it was really late. I was going to some other place. But my sister played with
Amy (Anderson) at Nationals and she said, ‘I played against someone from North Dakota State and I’ve never heard of that university before, but the coach (Matt Johnson) is pretty cool.’ I emailed Billy Iverson, the men’s coach, and I started talking to him and he told me to send him some information and video of my swing and everything. A week later he said I could be on their team. This was in May and application deadline was in three weeks. I already had signed up to go to school in Spain, because I didn’t know I was going to come here. I had a backup plan; I was in the civil engineering department back home. I had just graduated from high school. It was all in the matter of two weeks, which was pretty cool.”
DO YOU PLAN ON GOING BACK TO SPAIN AFTER YOU GRADUATE? “I’m actually going to go to grad school here. I’ll be here for another two years.”
SO YOU MUST LIKE FARGO? “It’s so cold (laughs). It’s definitely different because back home it’s a big city setup and I’m from a big city. I would say somewhere between
Minneapolis and Fargo. Fargo at the beginning was small, but then you get used to it.”
WHERE DID THIS PASSION FOR GOLF START? “I was 3 years old. My sister was 6 at the time and she started golfing, so I would go with her to the driving range and hit three balls, then get bored and sit down or whatever a 3-year-old does. I didn’t start playing then, but I can say I hit my first ball when I was 3. I couldn’t tell you when I started playing on a regular basis. All I know is that I haven’t stopped playing. It’s something that I’ve always done.”
YOUR PARENTS MUST PLAY A LOT. “My dad does; my mom hates it, actually. She hates golf, she doesn’t have a bad swing, but she hates it. Even if there was a tournament and I told her, ‘I really want you to come. Follow me playing the round today.’ She says, ‘No, I hate it. I get too nervous.’ She has probably watched me play golf three times in her life. ... She knows golf is so mental, so she can’t take the suffering of ‘He hit this bad shot, what is he thinking?’”
67
WELCOME
MATT
welcome to
bison nation,
MATT LARSEN
Matt Larsen has been named the 18th director of athletics at North Dakota State University. With Larsen’s experience in strategic planning, policy development, revenue generation, sport oversight, and facilities and budget management, he is the perfect man to fill the shoes of Gene Taylor. Here are some tidbits from his first formal speaking engagement.
By Joe Kerlin Photos by Joseph Ravits
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WHO Matthew Larsen was the senior associate athletic director at Stony Brook. WHAT Newest North Dakota State University Athletic Director. WHERE He received his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences in 1996 from Stony Brook and completed his master’s degree in arts and liberal studies in 1998. WHEN He will take the position of athletic director starting Oct. 14.
WORDS FROM MATT “I have had the opportunity to get to know Gene over the course of the last year and a half. I think we would all agree that he is a first-class individual. Gene was one of the first people that reached out to me and congratulated me on this opportunity. Ultimately, his farewell press conference is why I applied for this position. A place that can evoke such sincere emotion is a place that I want to be and is a place that is pretty special. Gene, I thank you for all that you have done for NDSU. “ “A large part of who I am today is because of my mother, father and sisters. I know they are watching today. I want to thank them for the guidance, love and support throughout my life. Without them, today would not be possible. It was very important for me to have my wife and family here with me today. They
are my life. I am forever grateful for their love, support and countless sacrifices they have made for my career. I love you guys. “ “Many people ask me, ‘Why NDSU?’ As I told the search committee, I am extremely picky. I have a long list of selective criteria for my next career move, all of which were nonnegotiable. Academic strength and mission. You can’t fake good academics. NDSU certainly has that. As the AD, I need to believe in the product. Secondly, a president with great vision for the university and athletic program. An athletic department with which I could build upon a tradition of success. A community where my wife and I could raise our family. And lastly, but probably most important, a place that has quality people. Me and my family found all that and more here at NDSU. For us it was an easy decision.”
WHY “His professional credentials are broad and exceptional. His references, including the president of Stony Brook University, spoke of him as wellrespected, not just for his work, but how he does his work. The fact that his first reaction was to ask if he could bring his wife and children here today says to me that he was the perfect fit for what we proudly call the Bison family.” - President Dean Bresciani 69
BISON
FASHION
1
2
Tailgating season is in full swing.
You have your RV decked out in Bison decals, your coals are hot on the grill and your meat is thawed, ready to be devoured. But what should you wear to the tailgating lot? Look no further than our favorite stores where you can find the perfect outfit to show off your Bison pride. Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography
SCHEELS 1
Zephyr NDSU Sidelines Cap $20
2
NDSU Gold Replica Jersey $90
3
NDSU Autograph Football $29.99
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B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • O C T O B E R 2 014
3
1
Gold Nike Dri-FIT 1/4 Zip $65
2
NDSU Fan Chair $64.99
3
NDSU Bubba Keg $59.99
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Green Bead Football Necklace $2.99
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NDSU Traveler Mug $12.99
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NDSU Tumbler Mug $14.99
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Gold BisonNation Women’s Tee $14.99
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Green Nike NDSU Knit 1/4 Zip $80.00
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NDSU Fan Chair $64.99
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NDSU Bubba Keg $59.99
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NDSU Autograph Football $29.99
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Multi-Color NDSU Sunglasses $20.00
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Gold Nike Dri-FIT Heathered Women’s 1/4 Zip $70.00
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Alana Double Necklace Green & Gold $19.99
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adidas Cuffed Knit Hat $22.00
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Round Tailgating Table XL $44.99
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Game Time NDSU Polo Gold $65
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Under Armour Top Twist $50
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Tailgate Shirt $15.99
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Bison Apron $29.99
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Pot Holder $14.99
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Sportula $26.99
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Mini Football $14.99
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Under Armour Gold T-Shirt $34.99
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NDSU Medallion Necklace $16.99
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NDSU Team Dangle Earring $9.99
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Under Armour Full Zip Ladies Jacket $119.99
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LillyBee U Flats $48.99
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Under Armour Gold Hoodie $79.99
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I Need Bison Football Gold Men’s and Women’s T-Shirt $24.99
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Das Horn Drinking Chalice with Lanyard and Stand $26.99
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Bison Classic Crown Cap Green $24.99
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BISON FASHION
ONE HERD 1
NDSU Cream Cabled Beanie $23.99
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NDSU Crest Marbled Green Full-Zip Hoodie $49.99
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One Herd Bison Green Game Day Cup $8.99
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Bison Black Cabled Beanie $23.99
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BISON
PRIDE
Chronicles HIT MAN By Joe Kerlin Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography
Traditions are about as common at NDSU as victories on the gridiron. From fan rituals to rivalries that have lasted generations, Saturdays in the fall are the best time of year for Bison football fans.
J
ay Schimelfenig (furthest right) started his own tradition in 1988, two years after his first Bison football game. “In 1988, there was a player named Carlos Myles, number eight,” said Jay. “He played football like he was possessed.” Jay and his brother Jim fell in love with Myles’ tenacious style of play, and wanted to show their appreciation for their favorite player. That’s when Jim came up with an idea that has been passed from Dacotah Field to the FargoDome. “We talked about a Hit Man Fan Club during a game and thought we should contact Carlos to see if he wouldn’t mind being our first ‘Hit Man,’” Jay recalls. “Jim said he’d call him.”
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OF A
The Design
Jay designs every sign with his own artwork. The Carlos Myles painting was on a bedsheet, but in recent years they have printed the signs to make them more durable. 87
BISON
PRIDE JAY
OTIS
As the story goes, Jim contacted Myles and sure enough, number eight was all in, thus beginning the Hit Man Fan Club. 2014 is the Hit Man’s 26th season as a group. Since the inception with the frozen bleachers of Dacotah Field, the fan club has grown to more than 20 members, ranging in age from 3 months to 70 years, mostly sitting in Row A of section 32 inside the FargoDome. One of the oldest members, Dave, remembers joining Jay and his brother after recognizing his then co-worker, Jay, at a football game. The age difference wasn’t the only thing they didn’t have in common, before the unlikely partnership happened. “He (Jay) had long hair, kind of a hippie guy. I was a Republican,” Dave explained looking back at the time he joined the Hit Man Fan Club. But none of it mattered when the Bison brought two people from the opposite ends of life together. Dave is one of the original Bison diehards, going to his first game in college back in 1962. “They were 0-10 that season,” Dave said. “I heard Darrell Mudra was coming and decided to keep following.” Dave remained a devoted Bison fan during his college years, watching his favorite football team’s record steadily improve. Then, during Dave’s senior year at NDSU, the Bison won their first National Championship. Dave sits back now and laughs at all the cold days he spent at Dacotah Field, cheering on the Bison. “Of course, during my time here, I liked to believe I had something to do with it,” jokes Dave. “They went from 0-10 to National Champs!”
LIST OF HIT MEN #8 Carlos Myles #22 Joe Toth #8 Izzy Moses #45 Sean Fredricks #40 Ben Ahneman #8 Aaron Skyberg #43 Leif Murphy #47 Travis Sturdevant #8 Mike Sheppard #8 Joe Mays #96 Christian Dallas #44 Ramon Humber #44 Preston Evans #20 Colten Heagle
DAVE
Otis’s story is similar to Dave’s, tagging along with him since 1962, although he was never a student. But that hasn’t stopped him from being one of the first people in the tailgate lot since the late-1980s. “He has to drive the camper almost 50 miles to get here,” said Jay. “ Some call him crazy.” The Hit Man Fan Club started tailgating during their inaugural year as a group. They would park their trucks where the south end of the FargoDome parking lot is now and bring one cooler and one grill. “For awhile there, we weren’t sure we could actually do what we were doing,” Jay admits while explaining the hundreds of people that visit their tailgating area before each home game. From getting kicked off buses riding down to the 1990 championship game, to having coaches change numbers of players to eight for the fan club (Joe Mays, seriously), it has been a wild ride for the Hit Man Fan Club. “We thought the 1990 Championship was something special,” said Jay. “Going again, especially since we went D-1, may have been a pipe dream, but along comes this group of players that takes us to the promised land in 2011, 2012 and 2013.” Jay, Dave and Otis continue the Hit Man tradition this season, honoring incumbent Hit Man and Senior Safety Colten Heagle as the Hit Man of the year. And you can guarantee they will be tailgating in their same spot, sitting in Row A and cheering just as hard this season for the Bison as much as ever before.
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NDSU TAILGATING
TAILGATING before home football games has always been a legendary experience for any Bison fan. We wandered around the lot before the Incarnate Word and Montana games this past month to show some highlights of tailgating. Did we miss your sweet setup? Tweet at us (@bisonmag) or shoot us an email with your tailgating ideas and we'll come find you at the next home football game. By Joe Kerlin | Tailgating Photos by Joseph Ravits 90
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HIGHLIGHTS WEST LOT from the
Photo by Repor Photography 91
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Bison Mystery Machine Chris is responsible for six rigs spread across the West Parking Lot. As the owner of Metz Co., he buys, upgrades and sells a lot of vehicles out of his lot. After realizing his truck wasn’t going to fit in his tailgating spots this year, he needed a new vehicle to haul in his Upper-Deck bar. That’s when he stumbled across the Mystery Machine. Chris said the vinyl wrap was already on the van, but he accessorized the van with the painting of the Bison and purchased new wheels and rims. He also got his hands on a “Rut Row” license plate that masterfully brings the entire van together. 92
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Tim Hager has been tailgating at Bison football games off and on for the past 10 seasons. As an NDSU alumnus, Hager felt like there was something missing in his tailgating spot. That’s when he got the idea for an ambulance. Hager is a volunteer paramedic and said he had been searching for the right ambulance for years. This past winter, he finally found the one of his dreams. A little over $8,000 later, he now rolls to the FargoDome with his family inside the “Herd Attack.” This rig may only get eight miles to the gallon, but it’s well worth it for this family of Bison die hards.
Ambulance Alert
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Grilled Gator Some Bison fans are content with traditional tailgating food, like 100 percent beef hamburgers and juicy, polish sausage, but the “Herd is the Word” tailgating crew doesn’t think there’s anything fun about traditional tailgating. That’s why this group of 15-20 tailgators decided to bring a southern delicacy to the West Lot of the FargoDome and grill a 41-pound alligator imported straight from the Louisiana Bayou. Cameron is a founder of “Herd is the Word” tailgating and says he and his crew have been together for seven years. He was also more than happy to report that his friends and family thought the gator was delicious and he doesn’t know what will be on the grill next week. 95
NDSU TAILGATING One of the many perks of being an NDSU Team Maker is you’re automatically qualified for raffles every season. Raffle prizes include Bison gear, cash and sometimes you might find yourself winning a new tailgating rig. Chad was one of the winners of the raffle back in 2012 and got his hands on a tailgators dream. While “The Crew” can enjoy good company with friends and family and devour endless tacos at their taco bar, they can watch the early slate of football games on their 36-inch HDTV. Chad has been a Team Maker since before he can remember and there’s no better way to thank him for his Bison loyalty than to hook him up with a sweet tailgating setup.
big screen tailgating
Having a safe and secure area to tailgate is something NDSU prides itself on. The less you worry about it, the better the tailgating experience. But don’t forget to feed these men and women every now and then. Always remember, they want to enjoy the experience as much as the next fan. 96
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SECURITY
NDSU TAILGATING
BAGS
Bean bag toss, corn hole, bags or whatever you like to call it, is one of the most popular tailgating games at NDSU. With up to four players, bags is a popular way to interact and compete with fellow tailgators.
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DINE IN TAKE OUT GREAT TIMES
Every now and then while you wander around the tailgating area, you’ll see something you’ve never seen before in the West Lot. That was Bill Kuzas’s hope when he installed five horse saddles onto the deck of his tailgating bus. Bill said he refused to be like everybody else, so last fall, he added the saddles to his tailgating setup. Conveniently located in the southeast corner of the lot, loads of people visit Bill’s to exchange greetings and take a ride on a saddle. Why a saddle? It’s a North Dakota history lesson, says Bill.
NORTH DAKOTA ROOTS Se e our m e nu online at w w w .k obe sf a r g o. c o m 4 2 2 8 1 5 th A v e S - Far go C all (7 0 1 ) 2 3 2 - 5 6 2 3 f or r e s e r v ations
TODD
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ZABEL
B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D O C T O B E R 2 014
WHERE NOW?
ARE THEY
TODD ZABEL:
THE MAN BEHIND THE PADS
By Cody Bickler | Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography
“Those who stay will be champions.” These powerful words from former Bison football coach Pat Simmers had a strong impact on Todd Zabel’s life. Zabel was a cornerback and a key player on the dominant Bison football teams in the late 80s. Those words from Simmers are what convinced Zabel that NDSU was the right choice for him, and the rest is history. His time as a Bison left Zabel with lessons that have guided him through the rest of his life and helped him become the successful person he is today.
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ZABEL
Photo courtesy
Z of NDSU Athlet
ics
“I think we need to spend more time building our relationships with family and friends. We need to enjoy our hobbies, deepen our faith and give back to the community.” – Todd Zabel 10 2
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abel’s vision of becoming a Bison wasn’t always clear. There was a time when it looked like he would play football for University of North Dakota. As a West Fargo native, he had to choose between the local school he grew up around or the in-state rival.
“I did my recruiting visit up to UND, and two of my best friends from high school were also recruited to UND,” Zabel said. “They ended up going there. I had a good visit and they offered me a full ride. Then I visited NDSU and Pat Simmers was the recruiting coach for Don Morton. Simmers sold me a bill of goods; he tells me when he recruited me, ‘We really want you to come here, we want you to be a Bison and we want you to play here. But we don’t have any money for you.” Zabel made a difficult life decision that proved to be the right one. He took a chance on NDSU even though he could have gone to UND with his friends on a full ride. His choice paid off, as he eventually earned a full ride at NDSU. He excelled alongside other great Bison such as Phil Hansen, as well as being a captain his senior season. NDSU taught him lessons nowhere else could have. “Early is on time.” “Lead, follow or get out of the way.” “We all make mistakes, just don’t repeat them, and avoid fatal mistakes you can’t recover from.” All these were phrases that Zabel recalls being drilled into his head from the minute he became a Bison, and they are philosophies that have guided his path ever since. Zabel has a successful career at Bell State Bank and Trust, where he has been the president of the West Fargo branch since 2006. He has been with the company for almost 10 years and loves everything about his career. Without the guidance he had on the football team, who knows where he would be today.
Best of Luck Bison This Season You never cease
to S H O C K us with your abilities.
Joel & Debbie Peterson 803 28th Street South Fargo, ND 58103 Ph: 701-232-1991 Email: info@jdpelectric.net
TODD
ZABEL
As with many former Bison athletes, Zabel continues to be involved with NDSU today. As a long-time member of Team Makers (since he graduated from college), he donates to NDSU and wants to do whatever he can to help them succeed and continue to grow as a program. Zabel is also involved in many volunteer programs. Most notably, he’s been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Fargo and is the current president. This is a local and national program where the mission is to serve the children in the Fargo community and around the world. Zabel said he is proud to be part of such a great organization and it is a huge part of his life.
Photos courtesy of NDSU Athletics
A major focus in Zabel’s life now is trying to find balance between work and life, as well as spending quality time with his family. He has a daughter (Alyssa) in seventh grade and a son (Kai) in kindergarten who attend Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo. “You spend those early years hopefully trying to find a career path that you will excel in,” said Zabel. “You are spending a lot of hours on that and that’s kind of your focus. Now for me it’s, I love my job, I love the people I work for and I like the customers and co-workers I have, but we spend a lot time at work. I think we need to spend more time building our relationships with family and friends. We need to enjoy our hobbies, deepen our faith and give back to the community.” Zabel knows what is important to him at this stage in his life and knows how to go about making it happen. If there is one thing we can all learn from Zabel, it is that the lessons we learn at an early age can be the philosophies that guide us through our path in life and help make us successful in what we do. He took a leap of faith in choosing to come to NDSU without a full ride scholarship, but it was a choice that has lead to the prosperous life he has.
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MAYOR
MASO
MAYOR MAHER MASO For the past three winters, NDSU fans have made the migration south to watch their favorite football team raise three championship trophies. During the annual trip to Frisco, Texas, Bison fans have felt the warm, welcoming hospitality of the city and its mayor. The man responsible for this treatment is Frisco mayor, Maher Maso. Shadowed by the aura of ESPN and College GameDay, Maso visited Fargo and spoke with us about his experience with the herds of people coming to his city for the FCS Championship game.
By Joe Kerlin | Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography
FAST FRISCO FACTS Population: 128,176 County: Collin and Denton Unemployment Rate: 4.2% (+1.1%) Fastest growing city in America, according to U.S. Census Bureau.
SPORT AFFILIATION NFL - Dallas Cowboys Corporate Headquarters (2016) MLB - Frisco RoughRiders, AA minor league baseball team (Texas Rangers) NHL - Dallas Stars Corporate Headquarters NBA - Texas Legends, NBA Developmental League team (Dallas Mavericks) MLS - FC Dallas NCAA - Host FCS Championship Game. Southland Conference Headquarters
STADIUMS Dr. Pepper Ballpark - 10,600 Dr. Pepper Arena - 3,500-4,500 Toyota Stadium - 20,500 Cowboys Headquarters/Practice Facility - 12,000
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Welcome to Fargo, Mr. Maso, is this your first time here?
“No, I have been here two times before. Can’t tell you why, or I’d have to kill you (laughs). We were doing some economic development stuff so I have been here, but they are very short one-day trips. So this is the first time with no preconceived having-to-do-something plans.”
You just had lunch downtown; what do you think of downtown Fargo?
“We had dinner last night down here and walked around. Everyone is friendly. It’s actually kind of funny because I was just walking down the street and somebody honked and said, ‘Hey Maher!’ and I was like ‘Woah, I guess I gotta watch what I do up here, everyone recognizes me from Frisco’ (laughs).”
Is Fargo similar to Frisco in any way?
“That’s what I’d say it is. Somebody asked me how is it different, and I don’t see that. We’re very similar. There’s a sense of community, while there may be good size cities and there’s a lot going on the foundation, the community partnerships for example with Scheels and NDSU. We went to the flag-raising this morning and spoke there, so the partnerships seem to be strong partnerships and that’s what I tell everyone all the time. The big similarity is, you can build buildings, build programs and do all that, but it’s never about that. It’s always about the people. And that’s one of the similarities I see. The people get really passionate about what they do and what they want to do well and they work well together so that’s a similarity I see.”
Are there any other differences you see?
“Well the job market is strong here. You have one of the lowest unemployment percentages up here, both North Dakota and Fargo, specifically. We have one of the lowest in the country, too. It’s a good job market, people want to live here and that’s very similar to us. We’re into sports and clearly you have your football up here. Frisco has a presence of every sport in the DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) area."
How did you end up flipping the coin for the first home game?
“It’s like everything else. You build a foundation. You build relationships from the very first year. Coach Bohl, for example; I met him at the airport once, we talked,
MAYOR
MASO
and again, coming back to my philosophy, it’s always about the people. And the people involved in the Bison organization are quality people and it's much more than a job. It’s more than something they’re going through; it’s really their family. And it’s very similar to what we do with our city. We’re family. It’s about relationships, and by the third time it was like, ‘Wow, I need to do more. This isn’t just a championship game. I’d love to come visit y’all.’ President Dean Bresciani, he invited me up, last year and we were joking about it a little bit and we followed up and sure enough it was something we both wanted to do and it worked out.”
What was your first reaction to the Bison fanbase three years ago?
“So you guys didn’t make it until the second year we had the championship game. The first game was between Eastern Washington and Delaware, and that was our first exposure. We have been on it with the NCAA and I give a presentation every year, to Indianapolis and they wanted the game to grow. And we wanted it to grow; we thought it was a good match. The first year was kind of a learning experience for us. We didn’t sell out, but it was close. We had Delaware on one end of the country and Eastern Washington on the other, and they aren’t historically the biggest traveling teams, but they brought fans. In fact, Vice President Joe Biden came down because he is a Delaware alumni. So that just showed us we have to be very deliberate and flexible. Because here you go, you have laid plans and traffic control, and then last minute we got a call that the vice president was coming down and we’re shutting down the freeway, and it was like, ‘Fly him in on a helicopter and land him next to the stadium, please’ (laughs). So we shut down the freeway and people were late and we had to move an entire section out for seating and we had snipers on the roof, so everything else that was happening, that kind of threw us for a curve. But it went okay. So the second year you guys made it and played Sam Houston State, that was our first year with the passionate fans. I mean, I remember going through the tailgating shaking everyone’s hands and seeing 10 8
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people and everyone was having so much fun. It was kind of a new experience for me. The thing that captured it all was the local church buses that drove down from Fargo and they took some of the congregation, and the pastor still had his outfit on and it was like, ‘They even brought the church down’ (laughs)."
Was the third time the charm?
“First, we were excited North Dakota State was back. If we had our choice we’d have you back every year. We have a good model now with a great fanbase. I think you all adapted as well. For example, our tickets just went on sale today, early tickets for the local groups. Last year, y’all bought half of those so that’s how confident you were. I’ll be curious to see what happens this year. Scares us to death that you guys buy all those tickets early because God forbid if y’all don’t make it. We still hope you come down. We’ll still have the big tailgate for you, but hopefully you guys make it this year.”
It’s more than a football game for us fans. It’s really just a great opportunity for everyone to come together and have a good time.
“It’s fun. Even to this day, I go around showing everyone your ‘Bison Tracker.’ That’s so cool. Everybody driving down; it’s like a line. I was watching that thing and communicating with people to see where all the parties are. That’s part of the culture. Everyone comes together. Those who can help, help the Microsoft employee that wrote this app and it’s great.”
Well we look forward to checking all that out later this winter. “Just keep winning. There are a lot of good teams out there.”
You got it, Mayor Maso. Thanks for your time. “No, thank you. Fargo has been great.”
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BISON ATHLETICS
Bison Hall of Fame
The Bison Athletic Hall of Fame will enshrine six new members this year at its 43rd annual induction ceremony. The day will also include the induction of the 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 women’s basketball national championship teams into the Bison Athletic Hall of Champions.
Football SEAN FREDRICKS (1993-97)
• First-team Division II All-American in 1997 • Second-team Division II All-American in 1996 • 1997 Dennis Drews Trophy (NDSU football MVP) • 1995, 1996, 1997 all-North Central Conference selection • Attorney and shareholder for Ohnstad Twichell P.C., the second largest law firm in North Dakota
Track and Field/Cross Country MARY (GILL) WENTZ (1993-97)
• (12)-time NCAA Division II All-American • NDSU won three North Central Conference Indoor and three NCC Outdoor championships during her career • Part of the Bison NCC triple crown in 1993-94 • Worked part-time at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in barley genetics, then full-time at wheat germplasm enhancement at NDSU
Softball MARY (GRAMENZ) KOSMATKA (1996-99)
• 1999 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-American second team • Four-time NFCA All-North Central Region (1996-97-98-99) • Led Bison to first NCAA North Central Regional title and NCAA Division II national tournament appearance (1999) • Named the 1999 NCC Freshman of the Year • Four-time all-North Central Conference performer (1996-97-98-99) • Social Work case manager for Scott County Health and Human Services
Track and Field HEITH JANKE (1996-99)
• National champion in 800 meters at 1998 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships • Four-time NCAA Division II All-American • Recipient of 1998 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship • Placed third in 800 meters at 1998 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships and fifth in 800 at 1997 NCAA Indoor • Two-time North Central Conference Indoor Track & Field champion in the mile in 1996 and 1997 • Serving as supervisory special agent (FBI) at Kansas City field office
Wrestler BRIAN KAPUSTA (1991-95)
• Three-time NCAA Division II national champion (1993-95) at 118 pounds • Selected as the 1995 NCAA Division II Most Outstanding Wrestler • Placed third at the 1992 NCAA Championships as a freshman • Four-time NCAA All-American • Named the NCC’s Most Outstanding Wrestler in 1992 and 1995 • Head coach of the Hempfield Area Junior Olympic wrestling program in Greensburg, Pa.
Women’s Basketball and Volleyball KASEY MORLOCK (1993-97)
• Honda Division II Female Athlete of the Year and NCAA Today’s Top VIII • 1996-97 NCAA Today’s Top VIII award winner • 1995 Midwest Sports Channel Division II Female Athlete Award Winner • 1997 WBCA/Rawlings Division II Player of the Year, 1995 North Central Conference Player of the Year • 1994 NCC Freshman of the Year • Worked at IBM in Rochester, Minn., until her youngest was born
1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS • NDSU won 21 straight NCAA tournament games • Ten members of the combined 30-player roster during that time period would become members of the Bison 1,000-point club • NDSU won 93 percent of the time and rolled up a 119-9 overall record over that span, 30-2 in 1995-96, 32-0 in 1994-95, 27-5 in 1993-94 and 30-2 in 1992-93 • NDSU is one of only 18 NCAA women’s basketball teams at any Division to go undefeated 110
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SARAH
RAUEN
Get To Know SARAH RAUEN
By Andrew Jason Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography
Assistant coach Sarah Rauen is in her second year coaching volleyball at North Dakota State University. Rauen is a former libero star at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where she held the career record for digs before her understudy, Brittany Groth broke the record while Rauen was coaching her. Coach Rauen has brought her knowledge of the game to Fargo, alongside her laidback, fun coaching attitude. The Bison volleyball team is turning over a new leaf and Coach Rauen is at the center of it all. 11 2
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We’re proud to support NDSU and its alumni, many of whom are part of the Eide Bailly family. Ross Manson, Principal NDSU Alumnus
w w w.e i d e b a i l l y.c o m
SARAH
RAUEN
the conversation
How did you start playing volleyball?
“My older sister (she is four years older than me) started playing volleyball at a young age, so I was in the gym at all of her tournaments. My parents bought me a volleyball, probably to keep me from annoying them. I would be in the hallways playing at her tournaments. I would always beg her to play with me in the backyard and asked if I could play with her and all of her friends.”
Would you say there is one person who had a big influence on your playing career?
“There was a lot. I would say my combination of college coaches. I played for the same head coach that I worked for at Green Bay (Debbie Kirch). My two assistant coaches, one was Erich Hinterstocker who used to be here (NDSU) and then Matt Houk who used to be at South Dakota and is now at Minnesota. They spent a lot of time with me, for good and bad. I think they pointed me on a good path as a player and led me into coaching.”
Can you talk about the factors that led to you becoming a coach?
“I always enjoyed the learning part of the game. I always wanted to beat the opponent on the other side. For me, it was about competing against whoever was on the other side, whatever that meant. Figuring out how to beat an opponent and figuring out why we were successful was a big thing for me. I really enjoyed teaching. I debated either being
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a teacher or going into medicine and this kind of put the two together.”
Going into your second season here, what do you like most about NDSU?
“I would say the support system. The fact that everyone wants us to be successful and they are willing to give us what we need to be successful. I think we have a great support system from the community, to the administration, to our head coach (Kari Thompson).
Where do you feel the program is right now? Where do you see it being in the future?
“Obviously, compared to last year there is nowhere to go but up. I think we are on the upswing with a lot of the youth we have on our team. They are developing and getting better. I think we are in a position this year to be very successful ... I see us continually being at the top of the Summit League and in the NCAA tournament. I see us winning a first round, possibly even a second round match. Really making a statement in that tournament nationally.”
What is most unique about your coaching style?
“I like to have a lot of fun. I like to make sure the players enjoy what they are doing. I don’t necessarily get angry. I am very intense but I am not an angry person. I like them to be happy: as you can see, they usually are (noises from team in background). I like them to enjoy what they are doing, to be having fun, but also
to be in charge of their learning. I will ask them a lot of questions. I don’t want them to just be robots out there. I want them to understand the game and to enjoy playing the game.”
Why is NDSU right for you at this point in your career? “I think it embodies a lot of my coaching style and my values. I think I am a pretty hard-working person. This is a hardworking community. There is a lot of great people here. It is a great place to be. I like coming to the BBF (Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse) when we have a home match and it is packed with everyone from kids, to students, to adults, to alumni. I think that is great. I love how everyone has bought in and they bleed green and gold.”
Rauen’s Resume Coaching Experience: 5 years
Playing Career: UWGB 2003-06
Career Stat:
1,519 digs, 518 digs in 2005
Fun Fact:
Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in human biology
HOMECOMING
SCHEDULE
Homecoming
Team Makers
Watch Parties If you are not able to be at the game, join
a Watch Party in Fargo or across the United States. Watch Parties are hosted by local NDSU friends. Fans can gather to watch the football game and order food and beverages from the menu as they choose. All are welcome to these events.
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Minnesota Joe Senser’s 4217 American Blvd. West, Bloomington, MN 952-835-1191
Wilkin Drink & Eatery 508 Minnesota Ave, Breckenridge, MN 218-643-3862
Tom & Jerry’s 201 W Lake St, Chisholm, MN (218) 254-9980
Holiday Inn Beach Bar & Grill 1155 Hwy 10 E, Detroit Lakes, MN 218-847-2121
The Hill Bar and Grill 315 State St NW, Glyndon, MN 218-498-0254
Buffalo Wild Wings 2201 2nd Ave N, Moorhead 218-512-0399 Brew Pub & Wine Bar 124 E Main St, Perham, MN (218) 346-5932
HOMECOMING SCHEDULE
Homecoming
Event schedule Thursday, October 9 11 a.m. President’s State of the University Address
north dakota
fargo
Whitetail Bar 316 Main Ave, Aneta, ND 701-326-4350
Buffalo Wild Wings 1515 19th Ave. N, Fargo 701-280-9464
Buffalo Wild Wings 218 Third St, Bismarck, ND 701-323-9464
Buffalo Wild Wings 1501 42nd St. SW, Fargo 701-356-9464
Elbow Room 115 South Fifth St, Bismarck, ND 701-222-2140
Chub’s Pub and Package Place 421 University Dr. N, Fargo 701-235-8425
Hide-Away Tavern 1000 Boundary St. NW, Mandan, ND 701-663-8362
Divots at Edgewood 19 Golf Course Ave, Fargo 701-364-9800
Festival Concert Hall
7:30 p.m. Homecoming Show and Coronation
Festival Concert Hall sponsored by Blue Key Honor Society and Campus Attractions. Tickets for the Homecoming Show will be available Sept. 29-Oct. 9 in the Memorial Union or by contacting a member of Blue Key. Tickets are $5 and proceeds will benefit a local organization.
Friday, October 10
YELLOW OUT DAY Everyone wear yellow and green
11 a.m. Athletic Hall of Fame Luncheon
Holiday Inn
5:30 p.m. Parade
Downtown Fargo on Broadway - celebrate NDSU Homecoming, sponsored by Campus Attractions
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. NDSU Homecoming Party
following parade
Second Ave. between Broadway and Fifth St. in Downtown Fargo. Plan to stay downtown after the parade. Enjoy live music from Brat Pack Radio and socialize with alumni, friends and fans.
Lonesome Dove 3929 Memorial Hwy, Mandan, ND 701-663-2793
The Bend 130 Oxbow Dr, Oxbow, ND 701-588-4666
Saturday, October 11 7:30 a.m. 5K run, Wallman Wellness Center 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Tailgating, Fargodome 9 a.m. Mathew Living Learning Center Dedication
Lobby, Living Learning Center West
1 p.m. Kickoff: NDSU Bison vs. Southern
Illinois Salukis
Fargodome. Game tickets are sold out. A limited number of standing room only tickets may become available at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10. Please call the Bison Ticket Office at 888-231- 6378 for more information.
For more information on Homecoming, go to ndsu.edu/homecoming. 118
Stadium Sports Bar and Grill 1247 W Divide Ave, Bismarck, ND 701-258-4677
B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • O C T O B E R 2 014
ProzSports Bar and Grille 101 Sixth St NE, Devils Lake, ND 701-662-2101
Fargo Billiards and Gastropub 3234 43rd St. S, Fargo 701-282-4168
JT Cigarro Lounge & Grille 4554 Seventh Ave. S, Fargo 701-277-0711
Sickies Garage 3431 Fiechtner Dr. S, Fargo 701-478-7425
Woody’s Bar & Grill 1550 32nd Ave. S, Fargo 701-241-9817
Buffalo Wild Wings 2717 South Columbia Rd, Grand Forks, ND 701-775-9464
FOOTBALL EVERY GAME. ALL SEASON
THANK YOU to all NDSU fans for making B-DUBS your Bison Headquarters to watch all of the games. Let’s Continue the Tradition! GO BISON!
BISON DEFENSE
By Joe Kerlin | Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography
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The Bison defense has forced its way to the top. With their tight strangle hold on the FCS, seniors Kyle Emanuel, Travis Beck, Carlton Littlejohn and Esley Thorton will continue to dominate opposing offenses with ease. 121
BISON
DEFENSE
The numbers the Bison defense has put up this season are difficult to ignore. With seven returning starters on defense, the Bison are well on their way to lead the FCS in points allowed per game for a fourth straight season. It starts in the middle, where seniors Carlton Littlejohn, Travis Beck and Esley Thorton have come together nicely, playing their first full season together as one strong linebacking unit. Collectively, these linebackers started in 80 games before the season, which has given Defensive Coordinator Matt Entz the confidence to leave them out on the field for any defensive formation. "We’re just being more comfortable with each other out there in nickel defense," Outside Linebacker Thorton said. "The three of us have had more opportunities to run some of those nickel calls together and I think we’ve played more comfortable in coverage and the run fits." Thorton started his Bison career on offense, backing up Brock Jensen before the 2012 season. He identifies himself as a linebacker now and the transition from the offensive side of the ball is complete. A more recent transition has taken place as Littlejohn has slid over from his former outside linebacker position to the middle, a position he got a taste of last season when Grant Olson went down with an injury. Littlejohn has flourished in his new role, already earning national recognition with his play against Weber State. Littlejohn was 122
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named a College Sporting News National All Star after his 12-tackle performance against the Wildcats, along with his second career touchdown. Thorton, Beck and Littlejohn have proved to be the core of the defense so far this season, but they would be the first to tell you they are getting a lot of help from their All-Americanto-be defensive end, Kyle Emanuel. Emanuel started his career at linebacker with Littlejohn and Beck, but was moved to defensive end while being redshirted in 2010. Since then, he has been a monster on the D-line, causing headaches for numerous opposing offensive tackles. As the only returning starter on the defensive line and an early season injury to his defensive end partner Mike Hardie, Emanuel has had a lot put on his plate this season, but he doesn't see it as a tough challenge. "If anything it pushed us harder," Emanuel said. "They are redshirts or have never played a significant snap and we are going to be counting on them to start and play a significant role." Emanuel is out to another great start in his senior campaign, not missing a beat by collecting five sacks in the first three games of the season. "Our goal is still to be the best defense in the country," Emanuel said. "The philosophy is the exact same. We are going to fly around with great effort and do our jobs, not relying on one person."
PRAKASH
MATHEW
PRAKASH MATHEW
EXIT INTERVIEW By Joe Kerlin Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography
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Prakash Mathew should be at his home, tending to his beloved flower garden and working on his business management book. But when Prakash Mathew’s former employer of 38 years reached out for his help, the former Vice President of Student Affairs was there to answer the bell. Mathew retired in May, but he came out of retirement to become the interim athletic director after news broke of Gene Taylor taking the deputy director of athletics at the University of Iowa. Arriving at North Dakota State University in the mid-1970s, Mathew has always enjoyed his numerous positions at NDSU, and even after coming out of retirement he's still having the time of his life serving the university he holds dear to his heart.
What was your relationship like with Gene Taylor?
“We had a terrific relationship. I worked for him for a week before he left in July. He didn’t stand in my way either. He painted a big picture for me and we worked together in the president’s cabinet. We were friends and worked on many projects in the past. So he simply told me the lay of the land. He told me to go for it and meet the people and find out what’s going on. He didn’t say, ‘Okay, this is how this person is going to behave’ I had to find that out. He was very supportive.”
What do you think some of the unfair perceptions people have towards NDSU that aren’t necessarily true?
“People love athletics and people love the university. But I think there’s a perception
some time that the university gives a higher priority for athletics. I think that is changing. Part of the reason that is changing is because – and you have to give all the credit in the world to – President Bresciani. He provides a great balance. If you hear him speak, he always – even for athletic functions – he always talks about how good of a university we are and the academics here he brags about. … We are in a elite group and it’s not going to stay there unless you work hard at it. The students that are coming to North Dakota State are getting a top-notch education for a reasonable cost and there’s still value. That’s what it’s all about. … Our student athletes aren’t professional athletes. Our fans and Team Makers realize that they are student athletes; in order for them to play they have to satisfy the NCAA academically. We have standards here for the athletes, but so does the NCAA. Our student athletes excel with that. 3.13 is the cumulative GPA for our student athletes. One of the candidates for the athletic director position was going to come in and brag about his school, but then he saw our student athletes and he didn’t want to bring it up or talk about his school (laughs). True story. Sixty-one of our athletes have a 4.0. Think about that. Sixty-one out of 411 student-athletes. And a 3.13 average, that’s unreal.”
How does NDSU handle all the expectations from fans?
“I have to tell you this. One of the questions I asked everybody who I met with in that first week was what is the number one challenge you face? Approximately 75 percent of the staff members – not only the coaches, coaches and up – told me the number one challenge is the expectations. Expectations of the fans, of other and think about that a person coming in like Coach Klieman, We win three national championships and he comes in, then the expectation became when are we going to win the fourth one? I think Matt (Larsen) will be faced with the same thing with the expectations. So we have to define success. Is success strictly based from wins and losses? How about the academic part? How about the personal growth aspect? How about what they (athletes) do after they graduate? Not all of them are going professional. We
through to see the readiness, particularly what’s going on in the NCAA right now. … When ESPN GameDay came that’s one of the questions they asked me and they were saying that the new teams are not doing well because they were not quite ready for it. At the same time, we take a look at Boise State for example, that’s the positive example, but at the same time, like you said, do we have the budget? I think something will happen in the next few years, where the bottom tier and either they will survive in the FBS or there will be a shake up and I think that’s what will happen. And the bottom group that just joined, they will either be competent enough in that area to survive or maybe they’ll find a different league or go back to FCS. So then we will know how to gauge that and see where we are. That’s a decision and something Matt will have to take the university and the whole area through that process. My guesstimate is that it will take a few years. prepare them for that and that would be all part of the success.”
What do you think of Matt Larsen, the new athletic director taking over?
“I think the impressive part is his family. He just has a wonderful family. And he’ll be a great fit here. … In my experience, looking at the candidates, we had four good candidates and I think the committee did a great job bringing them all together. They were all very different. I think Matt’s overall experience helped. More areas he has expertise in than the other candidates. He had more than the other candidates. He’s very well connected with the NCAA so he knows what is going on if we have to explore, one of the frequently asked questions is about NDSU moving to FBS and that’s something Matt will have to research. I think lots and lots of things will have to be prepared for. When the time comes, he is well connected nationally.”
Is NDSU’s future in the FBS?
“I think we are not there yet. I think there’s a lot of work and there’s a lot of research to do. When the right time comes we can make that decision. The process to go
What’s retirement looking like for Prakash?
“I’m going to do a lot of traveling, both domestically and internationally. During the summer time, most people know I’m a flower gardener. That’s my therapy... But we love Fargo. We are not selling our home or anything like that. We will continue to be a part of the Bison family and if I can play a role in terms of supporting and spreading the good news about the university in the legislative session I want to do that on my own. Maybe be a part of the Bison caucus. … I have a book in the making. I have been talking about this book for many, many years in fact, it’s a management book, I shared across the nation at several campuses and workshops. And people have been putting pressure on me because when you put it in writing, they are already using it. So I have the concept written out in about 30 pages, I’m not a big writer … So I want this as a story, but also more practical application of it, because I have shared this with other people across the nation and people have been using. So maybe a part of the book would be their practical application of the book. The concept is about the personal values and when the conflict with organizational or institutional values.”
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MVFC
FOOTBALL
CHAOS
CONTROLLING THE
Bison Bison football football games games are are known known for for their their intensity. intensity. Hard hitting defenses and explosive offensive weapons can be hard to keep up with every Saturday. But for Missouri Valley Football Conference officials, it’s their job to keep up with these college athletes stride for stride. Who are these guys and where do they come from? These are just a few questions we tried to find the answer to when we spoke with Big Ten and Missouri Valley Football Conference Officiating Coordinator Bill Carollo. Interview by Joe Kerlin
Photo by Andrew Jason
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MVFC
FOOTBALL
What qualifications and credentials are needed to be an official in the Missouri Valley Football Conference?
“If you are eligible and selected to work in the MVFC, you may work Pioneer League games, MAC or Big Ten games.”
“Generally, potential football officials entering into the MVFC will have a minimum three to five years of high school experience and a similar number of years of college experience at the DIII or DII level.”
Do the officials normally drive to Fargo or fly and when are they required to arrive?
Do the individual officials work together as a “crew” for the entire year or are they assigned to work with different individuals each week? “Crew.”
What is the age range of the officials you have on your staff and what are some of the jobs they work when it's not football season? “We do not keep an official’s age, as it is not a criteria used. My guess might be our officials range from their early 30s to early 60s. Officials' occupations vary in all industries and professions, including teachers to doctors. All must have some flexibility in their jobs to be available for games schedule. Usually that is on Saturdays.”
BILL CAROLLO BIO Hometown Brookfield, Wisc.
College University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Experience
“Yes, many work a variety of other sports such as basketball, baseball and now some lacrosse.”
Do officials in the MVFC work college games in other conferences?
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What is the pay scale for MVFC officials? “The pay scale will vary from each conference and it is a flat fee for all the officials. The MVFC will pay $800 - $1,000 per game depending on your responsibility.”
How are your officials reviewed for their performance? “Each play of every game is evaluated and graded for all calls made, not made, mechanics, rules knowledge and professionalism.”
20 years officiating in NFL
Current Position Director of Big Ten, Officiating since 2009
Officiated two Super Bowls
Do some of your football officials work other college sports as well? If yes, what sports?
“Both, but many times it will be a combination of both driving and flying.”
How does the league handle complaints about an official regarding his performance? “Coaches have the opportunity to submit plays that may be in question and a response will follow with a final assessment for the legality of the plays in question.”
Officiated eight NFL Conference Championship games
We are aware the FargoDome can get a little loud at times. Is noise ever an issue for officiating crews? “It can be at times but it is usually a greater distraction for the visiting team.”
How are officials chosen to work playoff games? “Performance from all the games worked in that season.”
In general, how do you think most officials feel about the use of instant replay? “Officials embrace replay and it is probably the most significant rule change in football in the last 50 years.”
You were an official for 20 years in the NFL; what are some of the biggest changes you have seen in the game since 1989? Both in college or in the NFL. “Player-safety awareness and rule changes around the health and safety of players has been significant and been the reason many rules get changed.”
Would you say it's easier or harder than being an official 30 years ago? Why? “Officials are better trained today than when I officiated and the game is much harder to work. The pressure today on officials makes it a very difficult job. With the growing fan interest, TV exposure and the dollars involved in college football, the bar has been raised to be ‘perfect’ on every call as officials, and we all know that is not possible to be perfect.
We are human and mistakes will be made but hopefully with the proper training and the introduction of technology (replay) officials will be in the background doing their job and nobody will notice who were the officials in the game.”
130
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1. Words on hat are deleted 2. In Ginger we trust changed to In Ginger I Trust 3. Deleted Home Depot logo on fence 4. Georgia Bulldogs logo gone from hat 5. College GameDay logo added to sign
KIDS
ONLY
Bob
Leo
KIDS
ONLY
B ISON
S WORD D TO FIN
CORSO ESPN GAMEDAY MILLI MIMS RONNIE
WORD SEARCH
LEE FITTING DOWNTOWN FARGO SCOUT TAILGATING HIT MAN FAN CLUB
TEAM MAKERS DEFENSE MAYOR MAHER MASO DESMOND HOWARD HERD ATTACK 133
STEVE WALKER
Walker’s Word By Steve
Walker
The Real Season Begins
With a successful non-conference season and the glory of GameDay behind them, the Bison football team has little time to waste with a difficult conference schedule looming.
W
ho would have thought ESPN’s College GameDay would have came to Fargo?! And who in their right mind thought they would come back two years in a row? Well folks, this is Bison Nation, and the entire country is starting to notice just how great it is up north. The Herd is off to another great start this season, and have yet another FBS win under their belt after handily beating up the Iowa State Cyclones. If that wasn’t enough, after trouncing Incarnate Word and another win at Weber State, the Bison then took it to one of the Big Sky Conference’s front runners by defeating the University of Montana. Beating the Grizzlies may not have been quite as emotionally draining as back in 2003’s win in Missoula, but beating another top program in the FCS is always a tough task to accomplish. After the non-conference schedule and this year’s bye week, the Herd begin the conference season at Western Illinois on Oct. 4. The Missouri Valley is once again stacked with great teams, and is undoubtedly one of the toughest conferences in all of FCS, if not the toughest. Week in and week out NDSU will be tested by each team’s best effort as they look to win another conference championship, and clinch another playoff birth. For those of you who watched College GameDay, the next step after that is the “Quad Squad” as former Bison Great, Brock Jensen, eloquently named this year’s Thundering Herd.
Going in to the conference schedule, how have the Bison looked so far this year? After all, there have been several changes in players, changes in coaching staff, and most recently a new athletic director. Amongst all of these changes, the Bison have stayed strong and gotten stronger. Carson Wentz has proven he is a great leader in this offense and has the physical tools to make plays both with his arm and legs. John Crockett somehow has managed to run even harder than last year and has shown that being the feature back is a role he is definitely comfortable in. On the defensive side of the ball, Kyle Emanuel is showing all of the country that he is one of the premier defensive ends in all of football. Looking at the linebacking core and secondary, these guys are go, really good! By playing hard, playing fast and playing together, this year’s Bison defense will continue to prove very difficult to score on as they wear down offenses and relentlessly pursue the football. Overall the Bison have played extremely well. There have been times when things were not perfect, but just as the great teams do, the Bison have stuck together and continue to build on the dynasty in Fargo. As we get going in to conference play, let’s keep the FargoDome rocking as fans and enjoy watching this year of Bison football. Go Bison!
The Missouri Valley is once again stacked with great teams, and is undoubtedly one of the toughest conferences in all of FCS, if not the toughest... 134
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1620 13th Ave. East -West Fargo 701.364.3725 - fargohotspring.com
TEAM
MAKERS
Team Makers By Terry
Ludlum
SUPPORTING THE CAUSE
Here’s hoping all Team Makers and Bison faithful have had a relaxing summer with plenty of time to recharge. Now it’s time to get back to what we do best: cheering on the HERD and providing support to our student athletes!
A
s a member of the Team Makers Executive Board, I had the pleasure of being involved with casual question-and-answer sessions with each of the four Athletic Director finalists. A couple of consistent messages provided by the candidates seem to be “I would love to be here because NDSU is truly a special place” and “Bison fans continue to provide phenomenal support.” The most visible support follows the success of the football program: four consecutive years of FargoDome sell-out crowds, single-game football tickets being sold out within the initial hours for three straight years, the 4,000 allotted student tickets for home games being claimed within minutes, and the annual pilgrimage to Frisco. Other sports, such as men’s basketball, wrestling, baseball, and softball, have also seen unprecedented fan support during their respective postseason runs. While this fan-based support is certainly synonymous with any successful college athletic program, one could make the point that fan-based support comes with the success, while it is the financial-based support that is a precursor to the success, and an administrative foundation with which to build competitive programs. The overall goal of the financial support provided by Team Makers is to ensure that every student athlete is given the opportunity to be successful within their respective athletic program. In 2014, Team Makers will make a contribution to the athletic department in the amount of $2.7 million dollars, which will be used toward student athlete scholarships (actual scholarship
total is approximately $3.7 million). This allows the athletic department to utilize their budgeted funds for needs such as hiring and retaining the best coaches available, providing top-notch facilities and equipment, or simply being able to fill each team with highly sought-after student athletes. And why is this important in the current world of NDSU athletics? Because with the recent success of multiple Bison athletic programs, the water cooler discussion of “moving up” becomes louder with each passing year. “So why are we not in the process of moving up to the FBS level? How much more needs to be accomplished? What are we waiting for?” As an answer to these questions from a fan-based perspective, I would suspect that the fine folks within the NDSU athletic department have their finger on the pulse of the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics. What we are probably waiting for is consistent with our successful transition to Division I, and that is opportunity. This opportunity component has a couple of major issues to be resolved. First, I would suspect that if we were to contact the Big 12 Conference, the Mountain West Conference, or most other FBS level conferences and say that we’re interested in joining their conference, their response would most likely be “I’m sure you are. Goodbye.” We would need to be invited! Second, the current athletic department budget (along with Team Maker funds) is intended to provide funding to all Bison athletic programs at a level that provides the opportunity to be competitive, and to be in a position to win their
respective conference titles. This funding across all of the current NDSU athletic programs is near the top or at the top of all FCS programs. Given the success of last year’s programs, it could certainly be claimed that NDSU athletics are funded for success. The issue comes in the funding needed to be equally competitive at the next level. Some cursory research shows that if the existing $19 million NDSU athletic department budget was doubled and compared to potential FBS level conferences, it would still rank well outside of the top 10. Thus, if we wanted to fund our programs at the next level as we have at the current level, a more realistic budgetary number may be $50 million. We would need to be properly funded. Two and one-half years ago, fans had just seen their beloved Bison win their first FCS national championship and they were saying that things couldn’t get any better. But things have gotten better, and the good news is, that along with success comes opportunity. The same opportunity presented itself a dozen years ago. In preparation for potential opportunities, let’s all continue with the passionate fan support that is being so accurately depicted to the rest of the nation (back-to-back ESPN Game Day appearances). Along with amazing fan support, the opportunity is available to continue making a financial difference. For those of you who are currently Team Maker members, we thank you for your commitment to excellence, and for those of you who are not currently members, please consider joining today.
Terry ludlum is the vice-president and chair of fundraising for 2014 for team makers. 136
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SWANY
SAYS
Swany Says By Josh As far back as I remember, I’ve been a Bison fan.
S
ome of my earliest sports memories are going to North Dakota State games at Dacotah Field with my dad, brother and a suburban full of my dad’s friends from Maddock, N.D. My first game was in November 1990, a quarterfinal playoff matchup against Cal Poly. It was a cold, blustery day at Dacotah Field. At least it was to the third-grade version of me. The game recap in the Bison Football media guide describes it this way: “Cool temperatures and galeforce winds did not help the Californians’ cause.” The Bison won 42 – 0. Several weeks later, the Bison captured the school’s eighth national championship with a 51 – 11 victory over Indiana University of Pennsylvania. My brother and I recorded the game on the family VCR. We’ve watched that tape dozens of times in the years since, the most recent on a rainy day at the lake a few years back. If you want proof, ask either of us to sing the song from the Rough Rider beer commercial that played during the game. That postseason was my introduction to the Bison Family. We were hooked, seriously hooked. Our basement filled with Bison banners, posters and pennants. Our closets filled with Bison clothes while our minds filled with all things Bison. We had the roster memorized every fall. We could tell you the scores of games from the Darrell
Swanson
The Bison Family comes together in the best, and worst, of times
Mudra and Ron Erhardt era. We even got to know Rocky Hager, a fellow north central North Dakotan from just down the road in Harvey, when he was coaching the Bison. When the Fargodome opened for football in 1993, our family bought season tickets. We’ve had season tickets since. Today, I still sit with my parents in Section 17 and now it’s my law office at Vogel Law Firm stacked with Bison memorabilia, including two lignite coal Bisons guarding the green and yellow nameplate at the front of my desk. My brother moved spots, trading his seat for a spot in the press box near the Section 1 sign where, as the director of marketing and promotions for NDSU athletics, he directs the game production elements – everything from our nationally renowned pregame introduction to the music you hear at games. In fact, when you hear Bon Jovi or Journey playing, chances are its because I’ve been texting him nonstop for a quarter or so pleading with him to play it. By the way, you’re welcome for that. Like you and your family and friends, and like many families and friends throughout North Dakota, Minnesota and beyond, the Bison have become a huge part of our lives. Together, we’ve become the Bison Family, united by our common passion for NDSU. It’s a remarkably powerful bond. We take that seriously and feel an obligation for each other. An obligation to take care of each other and to look out for each other. Just as we come together in celebration, we come together in mourning. The Bison Family is hurting after learning it lost one of its own to an unspeakable crime of violence. The death
of Tom Bearson, an 18-year-old freshman from Sartell, Minn., has captured our attention despite the fact few of us knew him personally. It captured our attention because he was part of the Bison Family, and in that sense, he was connected to all of us that belong to the Bison Family. Bearson was one of the newest members of the Bison Family, a nursing student, who began school at NDSU in August. Students are the heart of NDSU, the heart of our Bison Family, and always have been. On a Tuesday night in late September, hundreds of those students, Bearson’s classmates, rallied around each other and offered their support to his family and friends with a heartfelt candlelight vigil. Their compassion and thoughtfulness make us proud. It was a powerful symbol, reminiscent of a famous quote: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Of course, quite obviously, what we feel as the Bison Family is nothing compared to the pain Bearson’s family and friends are going through. Our hearts hurt for them. Our prayers go out to them. We cannot begin to fathom the depth of grief and despair they are experiencing. Young people, particularly those only weeks into their first year of college, aren’t supposed to meet the fate that befell Bearson. They are supposed to come home. But, here we are. We are reminded that as beautiful as life can be, it is also capable of delivering cruel blows. Blows so devastating they threaten to drive out the
*Swanson is a native of Maddock, ND, a proud NDSU alum and a life-long Bison fan. 138
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brightest of lights and make us question even the most sacrosanct of beliefs – including our faith. That comes with our human fallibility; it comes with not being able to understand that question of why certain things happen. Yet, in these dark moments, the darkest moments, moments so dark that we worry about what sorts of evils lurk in the shadows, our students gave us a powerful reminder and offered strangers they had never met love. Love for a lost son, love for a lost friend, love for a member of the Bison Family. When you break it down to its very foundation, to its core, that’s what the Bison Family is – love. Everything we stand for as the Bison Family, everything we stand for as a university, it all comes back to that foundation, it all comes back to that core. When asked to describe what makes NDSU different, what makes us special, it comes down to this. Love. We don’t say it enough. We take it for granted. We quickly brush aside that feeling of vulnerability that comes along with it. We should instead embrace it. We’re told in scripture that, “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” On the darkest of nights, when we question that we hold most dear, when we’re afraid, when we can’t answer the question of why, is when we need love the most. We were reminded of that on a Tuesday night in late September. Our students set the example, rallying around each other as one herd, and doing what they could to lift those who needed support the most. No one asked them to do this – they did it because that’s what the Bison Family does, because that’s what the Bison Family is. We’d do well to remember that. I hope and pray Bearson’s family knows he was part of something special at NDSU, the Bison Family. The Bison Family is a herd. Bearson was part of that herd. And the thoughts and prayers of the entire Bison Family, not just our students, go out to the Bearson family.
POP
QUIZ
What is your favorite post-game meal?
What is your favorite class you have taken at NDSU?
What is your pregame ritual?
Steak or lasagna
Animal Science 114 with Eric Berg
Visualizing what we can do to score on the opponent and listen to music
Jackie Lee As a junior, she posted an average of one kill per set and recorded a season high six kills on two occasions. As a senior this season, she brings experience to a youthful Bison team.
VOlleyball
Carey Woods
FOOTBALL
After seeing the field sparingly last season, Woods’ responsibilities in the offense have skyrocketed this season. The sophomore hauled in a touchdown pass last year against Northern Iowa and is looking to build on that this season.
My favorite post game meal is honey BBQ wings.
My favorite class I have taken here at NDSU is Sociology.
My pregame ritual is to go into the locker room right after pregame meal and listen to country music while keeping to myself and getting locked in to the game.
Adam Keller
Football
Keller set team records in extra point made and attempted for a second straight season. Against Montana, he broke the school record converting on all five of his field goal attempts. He is primed to have another successful season this year.
I don’t kick any balls before the game. I eat a candy bar during the game - one piece each quarter.
Grilled duck breast
Marketing strategy Professor Krush
Anything my parents will buy.
Rock Climbing... followed by renewable energies. So sweet!
Just chill. Usually throw my sock headphones on and listen to some indiefolk music.
Steak burrito and ice cream; it’s an unbeatable combination.
Really anything that doesn’t have math involved is my favorite. I liked Abnormal Psych a lot.
I usually just try and remember to brush my teeth, and comb my hair. If I can remember those things we’re off to a good start.
Grady Anderson Anderson is consistently a top seven finisher for NDSU. Last season he peaked as NDSU’s number four finisher at the Bison Open and hopes to break that top finish this season.
Cross Country
Erin Teschuk Teschuk made an immediate impact as a freshman with top four finishes in all six meets last season. As a sophomore, she looks to build on her successful first season and be one of the top runners in the Summit League.
Cross Country
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What is your favorite thing about being a Bison?
I love my teammates and the fan support. The home games are awesome with all of the fans that come to support us, but we have not traveled anywhere without meeting someone with a connection back to NDSU, which I think is pretty cool. But in my opinion we have the best parents in the Summit League!!
The family bond that we all have and the way we stick together and are a band of brothers.
All the memories I have had because of this Bison experience. Being a part of something that I will remember for a lifetime.
Who is the funniest person on the team?
Ali Moody :)
I would have to say that there are two guys that stick out in my mind as the funniest people: Tre Dempsey and D Gray (Demitrius Gray).
Coach (Jamar) Cain
The team. An awesomelydysfunctional family, who share a lot of laughs and even more pain.
Me. Hands Down... followed by John Curley. Least funny is Brett Kelly by the way.
Having amazing teammates who motivate me and make running around in circles all day entertaining!
Paige after running a 6k. If we’re talking girls and guys team combined Brett Kelly is pretty fun to laugh at.