JAMAL SPENCER A DAY IN THE LIFE
JOEL VETTEL
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
BASKETBALL PREVIEW EXPLORING THE SUMMIT LEAGUE
HELPING
HANDS
MEET THE STUDENT ATHLETE ADVISory CoUNCIL
NOVEMBER ‘13
THE GIFT THAT KE
EEPS ON GIVING! SEND A GIFT OF 9 ISSUES FOR ONLY $24.95 $19.95 Enter “TeamMakers13” as a promo code to redeem
CLICK HERE Or call 701-478-7768 Or email Info@fmspotlight.com
contents NOVEMBER 2013 | VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 Bison Illustrated is a free publication distributed monthly (9 times a year). Our mission is to help promote North Dakota State University Athletics, provide a quality and fun reading experience and aims to improve the way of life in our community. The publication is mailed to homes across the US and has stand distribution throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. PUBLISHER
Spotlight Media
PRESIDENT
Mike Dragosavich
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
14
ART DIRECTOR EDITOR
MAKING PLAYS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY Bison athletes do more than just thrive on the field and in the classroom. With the help of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council, athletes have been given a perfect opportunity to give back to the Fargo community.
RESEARCHERS/ CONTRIBUTORS
Josh Swanson, Steve Walker, Joe Kerlin, Madalyn Laske, Paul Bougie
COPY EDITORS
Andrew Jason, Candice Grimm, Joe Kerlin, Josie Eyers, Madalyn Laske
GENERAL MANAGER
Think covering sports is all fun and games? Well, you’re mostly right. We hung out with KVLY’s Jamal Spencer and spent a day in the life with this sideline reporter.
20 22 24 26 28
Nurse Nate Staying Connected Taking A Stand Starts at the Top Samaritan’s Feet
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? You may know Joel Vettel as the Fargo Police Lieutenant, but do you remember him as a three-time all-conference wrestler for the Bison? We sat down with Lt. Vettel as we uncovered his past on the wrestling mat.
38 KVLY Media Truck 44 Harvesting Champions in Agriculture 50 A Pair of Fresh Knees 52 Roommate Connection 62 Exploring the Summit League
Brent Tehven Paul Hoefer Tracy Nicholson, Ben Stechmann
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Seth Holden
WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA
Jake Schaffer, Erica Kale
PHOTOGRAPHY
A DAY IN THE LIFE: JAMAL SPENCER
Joe Kerlin Andy Neidt, Sydney Schermerhorn, Sarah Geiger
MARKETING/SALES
54
Andy Neidt
DESIGN/LAYOUT
SALES MANAGER
30
Andrew Jason
J. Alan Paul Photography, NDSU Athletics
ADMINISTRATION
Erika Olson
SPECIAL THANKS
Ryan Perreault, Wes Offerman, Ryan Anderson, NDSU Athletic Media Relations, Colle en Heimstead
DELIVERY
Codey Bernier, Chris Larson, George Stack
FOR ADVERTISING CALL 701-478-SPOT (7768) or Email info@fmspotlight.com
Bison Illustrated is published monthly by Spotlight Media Incorporated. Print quantity exceeds 15,000 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. Send change of address information and other correspondence to: Spotlight Media Inc. 502 1st Ave N. First Floor or info@fmspotlight.com
6
BISON ILLUSTRATED
FROM the publisheR
What’s appening? Mike Dragosavich Publisher, Bison Illustrated drago@fmspotlight.com
HOW DO I DOWNLOAD THE APP?
Search “NDSU” or “Bison Illustrated” on any device in the app stores. 8
BISON ILLUSTRATED
Exposure.
Awareness.
This is a word that NDSU Bison Fans have been hearing a lot of lately. And it’s about time! Not only did we receive tons of exposure from ESPN with College GameDay, we have reached a new level in all aspects of the University that now makes people across the nation take notice. So, with all of this excitement, Bison Illustrated took a leap of faith as well. We decided to invest money and time into creating an application to enhance global circulation. This app is called “NDSU Bison Illustrated” and is a mobile and tablet app created to extend the readership experience with the touch of a finger. The app is now available for iPhone, iPad, Kindle (Amazon Store), and Android phones and tablets (Google Play Store).
We were on a mission at Spotlight Media this month. The mission was simple. Let’s find people and organizations in the community that are making an impact by giving back to people in need. Since we dove into a robust article in Stride magazine called “The A to Z Guide to Volunteering in Fargo-Moorhead,” we had to capitalize on the momentum. So we thought, “What ways have NDSU student athletes, coaches and alumni surrounded themselves in a givingback situation?” The research and development of this story was easy. We were amazed by how many individuals at NDSU are involved in community outreach and volunteering.
What is this app all about you ask? First, it allows app users to read the magazine. Second, we extended the content, because paper is getting expensive! Third, we added a ton of interactive features. What are these features you say? Now when you swipe through the magazine on your device, everything comes to life. We added a database of videos, links and galleries. Also, you will have the capability of sharing anything you see. With a simple touch of two fingers you can designate an area on the screen and share it to any social media outlets.
What’s Next? So now that we have broken the ice with content that shows caring and community initiatives, we want to extend a section like this in each issue of Bison Illustrated from here on out. So I ask: will you, the reader, help out? Can you help us with finding the information? If so, we are looking for information about fundraising benefits, people in need, people or organizations making a difference that are tied to NDSU, events that readers and athletes can attend and even ideas on how we can extend the impact of this section each month. If you have any ideas, email them to us at info@ fmspotlight.com.
Go Bison,
Drago
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FROM THE EDITOR
Thanksgiving has been programmed into our minds as a time to give back. In reality, many are giving back year round, including the NDSU athletic program.
Joe Kerlin
My top five signs
Editor, Bison Illustrated C O N TA C T M E joe@bisonillustrated.com
@j_kerlin
@bisonmag
facebook.com/bisonillustrated
Time. It’s something that most of us feel
we don’t have enough of. We run around day to day making magazines, harvesting crops and attending classes, but there never seems to be enough time to get everything done. Time is something student-athletes at NDSU don’t have a lot of. Between practices, workouts, study tables and class, it’s beyond me how they have time for anything else. That’s why it baffles me when I speak to athletes and coaches about some of the work they have done in the community. My first question is something along the lines of, “how? How are you a full-time student, full-time athlete, parttime friend and part-time super hero within the community!?” The usual response is “I don’t know.” A response I wasn’t shocked to hear because these students and coaches that are lucky enough to call themselves “Bison” don’t take that opportunity for granted. They truly feel like they owe the city of Fargo, no matter how much time it takes away from their other responsibilities. I wish I could tell you a story that stuck out as my favorite from this month. But the truth is the general mindset of a handful of football players was what stuck out. Their willingness to help knowing how much they mean to the community, and the way they don’t hesitate to go visit someone that is sick in the hospital
10
or has been hurt playing football. That’s the definition of a role model to me. NDSU, Gene Taylor, or Lynn Dorn rarely set these hospital visits or benefits up. Individuals reach out to the players and they do it on their own. It’s remarkable the initiatives the football team and the entire athletic program have to take care of the community that’s out there supporting them every game day. I shouldn’t have been surprised. Since moving to Fargo, I have noticed that the giving back mindset is prevalent here more than anywhere I have ever been. Our wonderful Stride editors, Josie and Candice, just completed their “Giving Back” issue and they highlighted so many ways you can give back to the Fargo community. The opportunities are endless, even if you don’t play a sport at NDSU.
MIKE
Jesse
So thank you athletes, thank you coaches and thank you athletic administration. Each one of you is one of a kind. And thank you readers. Your support has been tremendous so far this year and I couldn’t thank you enough. PAUL
Now go out there and support your Bison. We still have a lot of season left!
Go Bison,
Joe Kerlin BISON ILLUSTRATED
MEET THE TEAM
Not your typical jocks.
Brent
Andy
Andrew
Joe
norah
Erica
Jake
jessica
brandon
Sydney
Tracy
Josie
sarah
sarah
Seth
Candice
Erika
BEN
kristina
madalyn
ben
SPORTING CALENDAR NOVEMBER 2 Men’s Cross Country vs. Summit League Championships (Fort Wayne, Ind.) 10 a.m. nd
2nd Women’s Basketball vs.
Concordia Moorhead (Exhibition) (Fargo) 2 p.m.
FALL/WINTER
2nd Women’s Cross
Country vs. Summit League Championships (Fort Wayne, Ind.) 11 a.m.
3rd
Volleyball vs. South Dakota (Vermillion, S.D.) 2 p.m.
8th Men’s Basketball vs. Viterbo (Fargo) 7 p.m.
8th Women’s Basketball vs. Mayville State (Fargo) 5 p.m.
8th Soccer vs. The Summit
League Championship – al (Fort Wayne, Ind.) TBA
8th Volleyball vs. Western Illinois (Fargo) 7 p.m.
9th Football vs. Illinois State (Harvest Bowl) (Fargo) 2:30 p.m.
(Fargo) 2:30 p.m.
(Fargo) All Day
Illinois (DeKalb, Ill.) 2 p.m.
9th Volleyball vs. Omaha
23rd Women’s Basketball vs.
(Fargo) 7 p.m.
10th Soccer vs. The Summit
League Championship – Final (Fort Wayne, Ind.) TBA
14th Men’s Basketball vs. Saint Mary’s (Moraga, Calif.) 10:30 p.m.
15th Men’s Cross Country vs.NCAA Midwest Regional (Ames, Iowa) 12 p.m.
15th
Women’s Cross Country vs. NCAA Midwest Regional (Ames, Iowa) 1:15 p.m.
15th Soccer vs. NCAA Tournament (TBA) TBA
15th Volleyball vs. IUPUI (Indianapolis, Ind.) 6 p.m.
16th Football vs. Youngstown State (Youngstown, Ohio) 1 p.m.
16th Women’s Basketball vs. Harvard (Cambridge, Mass.) 1 p.m.
16th Volleyball vs. Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne, Ind.) 6 p.m.
18th Men’s Basketball vs.
Southern Mississippi (Fargo) 7 p.m.
20th Men’s Basketball vs.
BISON ILLUSTRATED
23rd Football vs. South Dakota 23rd Wrestling vs. Northern
Maine (Orono, Maine) 6 p.m.
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Northern Iowa (Fargo) 7 p.m.
9th Wrestling vs. Bison Open
14th Women’s Basketball vs.
Brock Jensen 2012 FCS Championship Game MVP
20th Women’s Basketball vs.
Western Michigan (Kalamazoo, Mich.) 6 p.m.
Milwaukee (Milwaukee, Wis. ) 11 a.m.
24th Men’s Basketball vs.
North Dakota (Grand Forks) 5 p.m.
29th Men’s Basketball vs.
Santa Clara (Santa Clara, Calif.) 10 p.m.
29th
LMU Thanksgiving Tournament vs. Montana (Los Angeles, Calif.) 3 p.m.
30th Men’s Basketball vs. Rice/Rider (Santa Clara, Calif.) 8 p.m./10 p.m.
30th Wrestling vs. South Dakota State (Brookings, S.D.) 6 p.m.
30th LMU Thanksgiving
Tournament vs. Loyola Marymount or UC Irvine (Los Angeles, Calif.) TBA
DECEMBER 2nd Men’s Basketball vs. Valley City State (Fargo) 7 p.m.
6th Women’s Basketball vs. Air Force (USAF Academy, Colo.) 8 p.m.
6th Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Dakota Duals (Fargo) TBA
7th Men’s Basketball vs. Bryant -
12 p.m.
Wes Satzinger
Nate Mattson
-Baseball
-Track & Field
Liz Keena -Basketball
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BISON ILLUSTRATED
Landin Rognlin -Track & Field
Presley Glaser -Softball
Meghan Aadland -Cheer Team
Emily Lesser -Track & Field
Go BISO N! D o n’s D u a l S e rvi c e
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Proud supporter of bison athletics
within the
COMMUNITY By Joe Kerlin Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography
THE NDSU STUDENTATHLETE ADVISORY COUNCIL is the catalyst behind most of the community involvement Bison athletes participate in every year. From organizing a Halloween party to running a student-athlete blood drive, the 26-member SAAC program gets involved in a little RER
bit of everything in the Fargo community. With two members representing their respective team, these members act as the bond that holds NDSU Athletics and the community together.
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WHAT'S THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE ADVISORY COUNCIL? Senior, Wes Satzinger, SAAC President from Andover, Minn. – “It shows that Bison athletes fit with the Fargo people in the fact that we are very caring and Fargo-friendly. It gives people a chance to know us on a personal level because we’re out and about doing things other than athletics and it shows values and skills other than playing in the FargoDome. We get to show the fans that, ‘Hey, we do care about you guys,’ and interact with them.”
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF BEING INVOLVED IN THIS UNIQUE PROGRAM? Junior, Liz Keena, Rep from Hastings, Minn. – “I mean, it’s gratifying to know not only my team, but NDSU, Lynn (Dorn), and Gene (Taylor), they trust me and other athletes enough to be the VOICE of NDSU and studentathletes. … I mean, without our alumni or the support of the community a lot of kids either wouldn’t have the scholarships or the support.”
WHAT’S THE MOST REWARDING PART OF BEING A MEMBER OF SAAC? Senior, Landin Rognlin, Rep from Fargo – “I think it’s the interaction, especially with the youth. When you have a little kid that looks up to you and you just see that light in their eyes like ‘Oh, you’re a college athlete, you’re a Bison!’ and being able to just play with them. …Just seeing them light up and being able to invest that time in them, you just can’t beat it.”
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BB II SS OO NN II LL LL UU SS TT RR AA TT EE DD
SAAC CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 2
PURPOSE Section 1 To develop an active communication network between athletes and athletic administration. Section 2 To participate in the development of policies, procedures and standards affecting student-athletes. Section 3 To serve as a community service organization to enhance the public relations of NDSU athletics. Section 4 To assist in the creation of policies for student-athletes access, welfare and equity.
SAAC MEMBERS MEMORABLE MOMENTS Satzinger – Stocking Stuffers Keena – 61 For 61 Home Run / Walk Aadland – Food Fight Rognlin – Samaritans Feet / Valentine’s Day Blood Drive Mattson – Hoops For Hannah
ADVANCE YOUR CAREER ndsu.edu/gradschool
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT SAAC HAS DONE IN THE COMMUNITY? Senior, Meghan Aadland, from Fargo – “Last year and the year before we all brought canned goods to help for the food fight. … At basketball games, the cheer team passes out these bags at a game usually and then we have people bring the bags back with canned goods and stuff. … All the people in the community come to the games and support us, so I think it’s just good for them to see us out volunteering.”
WHAT DREW YOU TO THE SAAC PROGRAM? Junior, Presley Glaser, from Blair, Neb. – “It’s been really fun for the softball team to be around the other student-athletes because we aren’t really around the other teams often. So it’s nice to see what everyone else is doing in the community and interact with them.”
WHAT’S SOME OF THE COMMUNITY WORK YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED RECENTLY? Senior, Nate Mattson, SAAC Vice President from Hawley, Minn. – “This past weekend myself and eight gentlemen went and did a bunch of landscaping at a single mother’s house who just didn’t have time and was busy. So we said, ‘Why not? Let’s do it?’ You’ve given back to the Bison community so we’ll give back to you.”
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BISON ILLUSTRATED
BEHIND THE SCENES!
HOW DO STUDENTATHLETES HAVE THE TIME TO HELP? Senior, Emily Lesser, SAAC Rep from Maple Grove, Minn. – “A lot of times you think you’re a college student, you’re broke, you are an athlete you don’t have time, and you can’t possibly make a difference. …Sometimes you just need to put a couple of hours of your Sunday out there. I think we have a really good
WATCH THE VIDEO ON THE NEW BISON ILLUSTRATED APP
platform to do some really good things here as student-athletes.”
DOWNLOAD IT ON IPHONE, IPAD, ANDROID, OR KINDLE. JUST SEARCH “NDSU”
GIVEBACK
NurseNATE Nate Mattson
has two uniforms: his track and
has his sights
Photo by
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How do you balance being a student athlete?
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GIVEBACK
STAYINGCONNECTED Faith
(right) (left)
By
Photo courtesy of
Photo by
N
24
ate Safe wasn’t your prototypical Christian
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ost people recognize "
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Taking A STAND Grant Olson is
Photo courtesy of
“
By
The older you get and the longer you have been here,
-Grant Olson
For more on “Taking A Stand” Memorial Union 250 701.730.6149 26
BISON ILLUSTRATED
GIVEBACK
STARTS AT THE TOP “
When we highlight We get a lot of community involvement with our student athletes. Whether it’s reading in schools, or the blood drive, or the Halloween party; all of those things we ask them to do.” -Gene Taylor
Photo by
By
You are on the board with both the United Way and ShareHouse. What has drawn you to these great organizations?
What are some of your responsibilities being on the boards of both?
Bison athletes are more present in the community than ever. Why is that?
How have you been able to get your athletes and coaches involved in the community?
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BISON ILLUSTRATED
SAM
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BISON ILLUSTRATED
Saul Phillips
Walks With
ARITAN’S FEET S
amaritan’s Feet, a nonprofit organization, focuses on providing children in all four corners of the world with new shoes. Their mission is to instill hope in every less fortunate child on the Earth. Coach Phillips’ involvement began last year, when the founder of the organization, Emmanuel Ohonme, came to the coach’s door. “I found myself very impressed with the charity and with the cause,” Phillips said. “In general, kids are very close to my heart and anything to help them will be something I’m interested in.” Coach Phillips first displayed his support of the Samaritan’s Feet organization when he left his dress shoes in the locker room and coached a game shoeless against the University of North Dakota last year. The public display caught the attention of many fans that donated large sums of money to Samaritan’s Feet. “It’s something that a few of us college coaches out there do,” Phillips said. The coach listed Ron Hunter from Georgia State, Scott Nagy from South Dakota State and Brian Jones from the University of North Dakota as coaches who have supported Samaritan’s Feet by coaching a game shoeless. Coach Phillips says he plans on going shoeless again this February and that’s when he wants you to donate to
EVERY BASKETBALL PLAYER NEEDS a nice pair of shoes. That was the goal when head men’s basketball coach Saul Phillips got himself and the basketball team involved with Samaritan’s Feet. By Joe Kerlin
Samaritan’s Feet. NDSU will be setting up a donation fund and all you have to do is text the number and you will have donated to to Samaritan’s Feet. If you want to donate now, you can sponsor Coach Phillips at samaritansfeet.org. Coaching without shoes isn’t the only way Coach Phillips and the basketball
Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography
team have been showing their support for Samaritan’s Feet. Last month, he and the team went to a Fargo school to wash feet and give away shoes to underprivileged kids in the Fargo area telling us, “I think you’re always looking to impact the community that you live in and make it a better place.” The basketball team isn’t the only team at NDSU that has gotten their feet clean with Samaritan’s Feet. The track team was involved over the summer with several track stars, including senior Landin Rognlin, helping out the less fortunate. “This year was really cool because it was the first time they had a site in Fargo,” Rognlin said. “Fifty people signed up before hand and we had over 200 pairs of shoes we gave out.” Acts of kindness from Coach Phillips and Rognlin is what keeps this community strong and less fortunate with shoes on their feet. Involvement from the University, athletes and coaches is what ties us all together as a community and city.
31
A DAY LIFE
JAMAL SPENCER W
hen Jamal Spencer arrived in Fargo from Detroit in 2011, he had no idea how big the Bison football team would be for his career. But as a Michigan State alum, he was ready to face the challenge head on. Last month, he let us into his world of sports reporting. Get a good night sleep, don’t forget your morning coffee and get ready to join us for a busy “Day in the Life” of KVLY’s sports director, Jamal Spencer. Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography Article by Joe Kerlin
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BISON ILLUSTRATED
33
aDAy LIFE in the
BISON GAMEDAY PREP
9 a.m.
.
.
Spencer arrives at the KVLY studio just before 9 a.m. Saturday and begins his prep before the big day. For the homecoming game against Missouri State, Spencer has to prep three scripts he will use during the duration of the broadcast. “There is no teleprompter, so I keep it easy.” While Jamal is saving the poetry for the teleprompter, he rigorously types away, prepping for the four half-time interviews. Then he gets an email. “This is when it gets hectic.” Spencer just received an email from his source saying Carlton Littlejohn will be inactive. In light of the news that one of the key contributors for the football team is injured, Spencer decides it’s time to get to the FargoDome.
PRODuCTION MEETING
After arriving at the Dome just in time for lunch at 11 a.m., Spencer joins the entire gameday crew for a production meeting to hash out any late challenges that await the broadcast. The KVLY crew is understaffed, “We’re asked to do so much, but we handle it really well.” After the meeting, he will meet up with play-by-play announcer, Brian Shawn, to discuss the late-breaking injury news and to also share information to stay on the same page, which is important when Spencer is the booth. Much like the two the KVLY crew is a tight team with everyone preparing to make the broadcast run as smoothly as possible.
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BISON ILLUSTRATED
11:20 a.m.
11:50 a.m.
REhEARSAL
.
With kickoff coming in an hour, it’s time for the KVLY crew to have a practice run through the pregame show. “Last week, we didn’t have time for a dress rehearsal.” Spencer is relieved to get one in this week, especially when he going to have a good game. Other than the pronunciation of “shuh-FITZ-ul” Spencer says making predictions is the fun part about the job. “Sometimes I’m right, other times I’m completely wrong.” Hanging around the team almost more than anyone usually means Spencer’s predictions are right on the money.
aDAy LIFE in the
.
WE’RE LIVE ON ThE PREGAME ShOW
The game is starting in 30 minutes but it is show time for the crew at KVLY. Spencer begins the pregame show from the sideline before sending the viewers to the booth with Brian Shawn, Kevin Feeney and Lee Timmerman. Shortly afer a commercial break, and while Missouri State warms up in the background, Spencer pitches his feature story of the week about the connection Sam Ojuri and Ben LeCompte have coming from the same high school in Illinois.
SIDELINE REPORT
12:30 p.m.
KICKOFF!
2:40 p.m.
COACh BOhL INTERVIEW
.
1:09 p.m.
Spencer takes his position on the sidelines right next to the Bison bench as he gets ready to give the viewers at busy because that means it’s a clean game…The busier I are booing…Being busy isn’t necessarily a good thing.”
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BISON ILLUSTRATED
.
Spencer has two scheduled interviews with Head
happens as the team enters the locker room after interview with all the emotions from the game coming to the forefront. “A minute before halftime, I’ll check his (Bohl) demeanor.” Ideally, Spencer likes to get in three questions for Bohl before he runs into the locker room for half. Luckily, the Bison scored two touchdowns to take a commanding lead and Bohl gives Spencer a lengthy interview.
aDAy LIFE in the
hALFTIME INTERVIEWS
.
There’s no time to rest as Spencer scrambles to prepare for his three remaining interviews during the halftime show. With the band playing in the background, Spencer runs into technical
2:47 p.m.
hear through his earpiece. Being the professional that he is, Spencer delivers four flawless interviews and the viewers can’t tell that the only thing Spencer is hearing is the marching band performing in the background.
POSTGAME
.
whistle blows, Spencer tracks down Bohl once again for a
4:25 p.m.
running to the press conference to speak with the players. Once the press conference is over, Spencer tries to sneak in a quick bite to eat before heading to the studio for Sunday’s Craig Bohl show. Before calling it a day, Spencer doublechecks with weekend sports anchor, Beth Hoole, to make sure KVLY will deliver flawless highlights of the day’s game.
MEDIA TRAILER The trailer is owned by Token
Creek and travels around the country from week to week. If it’s in Fargo one week, it might be in New Mexico the next. Communication is vital during the
BEHIND THE SCENES
broadcast. Sean Kelly, the Show Director, is always on the primary channel of the headsets, but the infinite amount of channels makes it easy for everyone in the trailer to communicate with one another.
KVLY’s Coverage of Bison Gameday
Underneath...
Token Creek Engineer
the stands at the FargoDome sits a 53-foot trailer that brings you the Bison football games every Saturday. With more technology than Bill Gates’ home office, KVLY isn’t slacking when it comes to bringing high-definition quality entertainment to your home.
Replay Coordinators Ryan Borstelmann and Dave Spofford
Responsibility – Missed
Brock Jensen roll-out and deliver a first down pass to Ryan Smith? No worries, Borstelmann and Spofford have your back. The replay coordinators make sure the broadcast director has every replay he needs to show viewers a different angle of every play.
40
BISON ILLUSTRATED
Steven Schmelling
responsibility – It’s always nice to have a guy with all the answers. That’s Schmelling. He travels with the trailer from week to week and knows everything about the truck inside and out when it comes to the operation of every piece of technology.
Video Operating Engineer Ron Barr
Responsibility – It might be lonely in the back, but Barr plays a huge role in making sure what’s being broadcasted to you on television looks good. Barr’s main objective is to adjust the lighting from each camera inside the FargoDome.
MEDIA TRAILER Front Row (Right) Jim Sande – As the producer of
the broadcast, Sande is responsible for communicating to other KVLY affiliates across the state of North Dakota, and during this particular broadcast, he was talking to the people in Bristol helping the broadcast on ESPN 3. (Middle) Sean Kelly – Kelly is the show
director and is the captain of the broadcast. He’s the guy everyone leans on to get the viewer every camera angle and every graphic they need to enjoy Bison football from their couch. (Left) Chelsea Hanson – Hanson is the technical director for the broadcast and makes sure station identification is clear with every cool graphic imaginable.
Back Row (Right) Craig Neiss – Having the scoreboard on the bottom of your television set is an important part of the broadcast. Neiss' job is to make sure you know how much time Jensen has to lead the team to victory. (Middle) Jake Westrick – Westrick relays the stats he is getting from his father, Dan, up in the press box then relays them to the graphic coordinator. (Left) Ken Wosepka – Wosepka is
in charge of throwing all the cool graphics that complement the broadcasters calling the game. He’s your man when you want to know Jensen’s completion percentage.
Audio Operations Brian Davenport
responsibility – What’s a game without audio from the broadcasters, the referees and the players? Davenport is here to help provide you with the sounds of the game.
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Wishing the NDSU Bison a Successful Year!
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Harvesting Champions
In Agriculture For 40 years the Harvest Bowl has honored and recognized the hard work
and dedication of the people who make it possible for the rest of the nation to enjoy their favorite food each day without even thinking about where it came from. Agriculture has been a running theme throughout North Dakota State University’s past and is sure to be one in the future. The Harvest Bowl celebrates those who have dedicated their lives to bettering the agricultural industry and acknowledges those who have impacted North Dakota’s economy.
Photos by NDSU Athletics and J. Alan Paul Photography
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Article by Madalyn Laske
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ach year the Harvest Bowl recognizes one outstanding agriculturalist for the Agribusiness Award. This year, on the 40th anniversary of the event, Richard Frohberg, former North Dakota State University hard red spring wheat breeder and geneticist, has been chosen as the recipient. “The Agribusiness Award is the opportunity to identify an individual that’s been a major force in the economy in the state of North Dakota, or shapes and helps move agriculture forward either in production activities or business related activities,” said Ken Grafton, NDSU vice president for Agriculture Affairs, director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment State and dean of the College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources. “Every time a hard red spring wheat breeder releases a variety, because of the tremendous acreage that hard red spring wheat is grown on in North Dakota, it can generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the state’s economy. So that’s a huge impact.” Frohberg, a former Kansas wheat farm native, said he was surprised by his nomination for the award.
“I am grateful for the recognition that the Harvest Bowl activities bring to all of the production of agriculture. Not only with the Agribusiness Award, but all of the representatives from different counties in North Dakota and Minnesota,” Frohberg said. “These are all people who are involved in production agriculture. And the award recognizes the need and value of production agriculture to our society.” Frohberg is responsible for developing a resistance to wheat barley scab that took 13 years of work before it was released. He was instrumental in North Dakota becoming the first state in the country to develop and release a variety of resistance to that particular disease. “(It was released) right at the peak of the epidemic of wheat barley scab, which started occurring in the mid-90s. So for him to see that is just phenomenal,” said Grafton. “This person is not only an excellent scientist but a very productive scientist who had a tremendous impact on the state’s economy.” Humbly, Frohberg says he found his inspiration for new projects by going out and asking the farmers in North Dakota what they needed to better their crops. “I like to go to field days. To interact with wheat growers, and then listen to them. That’s the way you find out number one if you are doing something that is of value to them, and also picking up on these potential problems.”
Supporting AG Backgrounds “The Harvest Bowl scholarship is mainly for someone who has grown up on or currently is part of a farm or a farming community,” said NDSU Athletic Director Gene Taylor. “There are a lot of scholarships now. That’s one thing that’s been neat about the Harvest Bowl is it used to be just three scholarships and now (it has grown).”
Scholarships are awarded by donors with an interest in supporting the growth of agriculture and athletics. “It helps a lot of our student athletes pursue their athletic dreams and not have to worry about having to work because all these generous donors have stepped up and have been willing to provide financial support for their education,” said Sherri
HARVEST BOWL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
The Harvest Bowl not only recognizes economic accomplishments that already have been distinguished, but it also celebrates the future of agriculture. This year, a record 15 scholarships have been awarded to student athletes with agriculture backgrounds and young agriculture business professionals.
Alec Espeland
Andrew Grothmann
Anthony Caputo
Brian Blasey
Brian Schaetz
Titan Machinery Scholarship
Gene Dahl Scholarship
Men’s Track and Field
Football
Ron & Karen Offutt Scholarship
Red River Commodities Scholarship
Bob & Darlene Yaggie Football Scholarship
Wrestler
Men’s Track and Field
Football
Caitlin Mack
Cole Davis
Emma Kusick
Kevin Vaadeland
Landon Lechler
Harvest Bowl Scholarship in honor of Robert Johansen
LeVon C. Kirkeide, Patricia KirkeideHagemeister and Friends Scholarship
Myron & Muriel Johnsrud Harvest Bowl Endowment Fund
John and Kay Dean Harvest Bowl Scholarship
Women’s Track and Field
#64 Bob and #58 Bruce Yaggie Father-Son Football Scholarship Football
Women’s Golf
Football
Football
Lauren Cammack
Marshall Bjorklund
Ryan Drevlow
Ryan Smith
Sierra Rosenau
Scott & Ann Dau Family Scholarship
Harvest Bowl Scholarship
Bob Lauf Memorial Scholarship
Darrell Larson Family Scholarship
Football
Football
Gooseneck Implement/Green Iron Equipment Scholarship
Volleyball
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Schmidt, vice president of the NDSU Alumni Association and the Development Foundation. “So it’s really important for our students, and the more scholarships we can provide help our entire athletic program become stronger and better as we continue to find enough scholarship dollars each and every year to give each student athlete a scholarship.”
BISON ILLUSTRATED
Men’s Basketball
Women’s Track and Field
Harvesting facts Ɋ NDSU football has gone 34-2-2 in Harvest Bowl games: 18-2 at the FargoDome. Ɋ Wheat is the biggest cash crop in North Dakota. Ɋ The Harvest Bowl recognizes success in 53 counties in North Dakota and 10 in Minnesota.
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ot many things have the longevity to last, not to mention grow, for 40 years. But try telling that to the Harvest Bowl. This year’s event calendar is ripping at the seams with activities, all capped with a football game. With increased scholarships and a 650-attendee sold-out event, the Harvest Bowl continues to keep agriculture alive in NDSU tradition. “Forty years is a long time to keep something going, and it continues to grow every year,” said Taylor. “There’s always been a strong tie to agriculture and North Dakota State; obviously we’re the ag-school, and all of that feeds into the football game, which is one of the more visible things we have in the course of the fall. It’s something special. It’s a great event; I know our kids look forward to it and I think the people that come to it enjoy it as well.” Those 650 attendees each contribute to tying NDSU and agriculture together. Schmidt explains that it is one of the Alumni Association’s goals to help reconnect people back to the university, and the Harvest Bowl provides a great vehicle to put on an agriculturally based reunion. “One of the beauties of this event is that it has really become almost a secondary homecoming for NDSU,” said Schmidt. The Harvest Bowl brings together those who appreciate the inseverable bond between agriculture and NDSU most.
Here’s to 40 more second homecomings!
FROM OUR FIELD TO
THE GAME FIELD! Did you know
NDSU Bison football games are played on Astro Turf, which is backed with soy-based polymers?
Come visit us at our tailgating tent next to Thunder Alley on November 9th at Harvest Bowl!
The North Dakota Soybean Council delivers value to farmers by investing soy checkoff dollars in programs that enable soybean and competitive in a global marketplace. Key focus areas include: Research; Domestic and International Marketing; Producer Education; and Consumer Awareness
ndsoybean.org facebook.com/NDSOybeanCouncil 51
After having their seasons cut short by nasty knee injuries last season, both Colten Heagle (left) and Leevon Perry (right) are out to let the Missouri Valley Football Conference know that they haven't lost a step.
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In your words, can you tell us what happened on the play? Colten Heagle: “It was just on a blitz and then I saw the running back going for a screen because he didn’t hit me, and I planted and my knee gave out. That’s about it.”
What was rehab like? Colten Heagle: “Long. It was a long and patient process going from the surgery to small rehab stuff like being able to bend your knee to running straight to cutting. It’s a long process.”
How long were you off your feet? Colten Heagle: “You can’t run for about three and a half to four months. You start light jogging at about four months and you can start cutting at about five to six months depending on the person.”
Was it pretty hard to get back into shape for this season? Colten Heagle: “Not really. It’s kind of a slow process getting back into it so you work your way back into shape. I had also spring ball all summer so it was, like I said, a long, patient process.”
Who’s the one person that helped you through the recovery the most? Colten Heagle: “That’s a tough question. I don’t think you can point it at one person because to start off with parents, doctors, friends of family, teammates, they’re all there for me pushing me through some of the stuff. I have to thank my trainers and stuff from the couple I had back home to Bobby and his staff here.”
What’s been the one thing that’s helped you get through this recovery process? Colten Heagle: “My teammates. Wanting to be back out there with the guys and wanting to play football again and to be as good as I was.”
What happened on the play when you knew something was wrong? Leevon Perry: “I tried to get up and knew something was wrong. But they let me play the half out.”
What was the rehab after surgery like? Leevon Perry: “It was difficult, like high school again.”
Who is the one person that has helped you most through the recovery process? Leevon Perry: “Colten Heagle and Billy. Billy's dad called me and told me to keep cheering on my guys. Even though I wasn't out there, I still had to be supportive.”
What has been the one thing that has helped you get through the recovery process? Leevon Perry: “Playing SDSU and knowing that it was my
senior year.”
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rOOMMATe 54
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They play video games.
They go to class. They win national championships. These aren’t your regular college roommates. (from left) Brock Jensen, Trevor Gebhart and Ryan Smith have an unbreakable connection on the field and they sat down with us to talk about their relationship in and outside of football. Here’s what transpired…
What are some of the positives in having a quarterback live with his receivers? Brock Jensen: “Just being able to watch football
with those guys and just talk about it with them and being together. We’re always watching football being right there talking about it. …We don’t have to wait for meetings the next day, or wait until practice to work something out.”
Ryan Smith: “It’s awesome, it’s definitely an
experience. …The chemistry that myself, Brock and Trevor have on the field, we know what each other are thinking out there sometimes. Trevor and I have lived together since getting to college. We stayed in the dorm together, we were in the same apartment. Now having Brock in there with us, he is really goofy. ...He thinks he’s funny. (Laughs)”
Give us an example of how watching football together helps you on the field on Saturdays? Brock Jensen: “One thing that comes to mind
is sometimes wide receivers have choice routes in the game and they will show instant replays saying, ‘okay, this receiver is taking a high angle on a corner and breaking an out route into a flatter route.’ Little things like that I will ask them, ‘what would you do in that situation?’”
Okay, so who is the messy one of the crew? Ryan Smith: “Sometimes Brock can be a little
messy; I mean, he’s not horrible, but he can be a little messy. Lazy sometimes, but I mean, that’s everybody. (Laughs) Trevor is a really neat guy. He likes everything clean. The thing about our apartment is that everyone will eventually pick up after themselves, whether it’s a week or two weeks.”
Brock Jensen: “You have to be the best at
something, right? So, I guess I’ll take having a messy room. Hey, ask them when you got time who is the best Madden player, because that would be me. I don’t know if it’s my quarterback instincts on the controller, but they can’t handle me at all.”
What’s a normal weekend like in the off-season? Ryan Smith: “We either go out or go to a movie,
nothing too drastic. Brock is with his girlfriend a lot. …Trevor has one too; I’m the only one that’s single in the apartment.”
Brock Jensen: “We give him a lot of crap in
general for being the fifth wheel but he knows we love him. He’s like a brother to us so we give him a hard time.” 55
WHERE
ARE THEY
NOW? THE LONG ARM OF THE LAW ISN’T AFRAID TO PUT YOU INTO A HALF NELSON.
JOEL VETTEL may be known by some as one of the faces of the Fargo Police Department. Some people may remember Vettel from his days on the mat for the NDSU wrestling team. And others may recognize his name from one of the countless boards and volunteer projects he’s a part of. However he’s remembered, it should be as a man who puts others first and is working for a better community.
By Andrew Jason Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography
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ieutenant Vettel is not an underachiever. During his time at NDSU, he was a three-time All American and was a North Central Conference Individual Champion. With the Fargo Police Department he has risen to Police Lieutenant, graduated from the FBI National Academy, has countless instructor certifications and a whole slew of other accolades. In his free time he acts as the Public Announcer for NDSU Wrestling matches, is involved with numerous boards and committees and runs adventure and obstacles courses. It’s all in a day’s work for Vettel. “I’m an individual who enjoys working. I envision myself working well into my 70’s… The nice thing is that I have opportunities and choices. Often times the people that don’t have opportunities and choices, those are the people that are miserable.”
QUICK STATS OCCUPATION: Police Lieutenant TIME AT NDSU: 1990 – 1994 ACCOLADES WHILE AT NDSU:
Three-time All American and North Central Conference Individual Champion
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
NDSU Team Makers, Fargo Public Schools volunteer coach, USA Wrestling Junior National Tournament Director of Operations, Fargo Police Association President, United Way of Cass-Clay Campaign Committee
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To find out how he got where he is now, you have to look back at where he came from. Vettel was born in Moorhead, Minn., and grew up on a farm in Hillsboro. Throughout high school, he never had an interest in watching athletics, only participating. “I’m now starting to enjoy watching college athletics, especially the Bison. When I started doing that was when I was on the board when they started the Student Athletic Council… Part of our commitment was that we tried to make it to as many of the other teams’ events as we could so that’s really when I started watching college athletics.” He was a much better participant than he was a spectator. During his time at NDSU he was a dedicated wrestler who won numerous awards. He took fourth as a sophomore, fifth as a junior and second as a senior in the North Central Conference, to become one of only 16 Bison wrestlers who became a three-time AllAmerican. “Joel was not a real finesse wrestler, he would just overpower you,” said legendary wrestling coach Bucky Maughan, who coached Vettel during his time at NDSU. “He had an engine that wouldn’t shut down.”
JOEL VETTEL
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s impressive as his time at NDSU was, he really hit his stride after graduating. He graduated from NDSU with a bachelor of science in sociology. However, in Vettel’s own words, “law enforcement was never even on my radar.” He ended up working for Target and traveling around quite a bit but he still had that desire to return home. He looked towards law enforcement for two reasons: the flexibility and the variety. However, there was something else that made him stay.
“Really the people that stay for the right reasons are those who see the bigger picture. The bigger picture is that it’s one of those rare opportunities that you have in a career to serve others. Public service isn’t something that you get into for the money or the accolades. You get into it because you enjoy helping people.”
BUCKY MAUGHAN ON JOEL VETTEL
>>
Bucky Maughan was the head wrestling coach from 1964 to 2011. He had a 467-15713 record during his time at NDSU. He was also the coach of Joel Vettel.
“
Joel would go out in the first period like a machine. He would try 50 different things and most of them would never work and he’d eventually get one. He was in perpetual motion. He was ungodly strong for his weight class. Joel has really done well in his career and I think he’s brought the same ethic he had in the wrestling room to his greater life where he’s just going to get it done. There’s no ‘can’t do it’ with Joel Vettel. Whatever he does, he does 100 percent and that’s what made him a successful wrestler.
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JOEL VETTEL
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is public service extends farther than just his job. He acts as a member of the Fargo Park District Board of Commissioners, a Fargo Public Schools volunteer coach, a member of the United Way of Cass-Clay Campaign Committee and numerous other boards and programs. His community involvement can be traced back to his time at NDSU. “If you look at the organizations that I’m involved in heavily, I’m in my third term with the Fargo Parks District, another example of quality people working very hard to really provide a service to the community, and that’s what NDSU and NDSU Athletics have done.” It’s clear that Vettel’s time at NDSU had a profound effect on him. His achievements started while in school and have continued long throughout his life. He does have some advice as a former athlete to the current student athletes. “It’s something we’re seeing more and more of, where athletes, especially within the NDSU family, it’s not about them, it’s not about their success, it’s not about what they’re doing at that time. When you become a Bison student-athlete, I think it’s more about giving back and really showcasing NDSU and what we’re all about… We have a chance to do something really special.”
“There’s no ‘can’t do it’ with Joel Vettel. Whatever he does, he does 100 percent and that’s what made him a successful wrestler.” - Bucky Maughan
CL_NFL_Kick Off_4-75x4-75_10468-8 JC.indd 1
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exploring the
summit league BASKETBALL PREVIEW North Dakota State University Fargo, N.D. (pop. 109,799) Enrollment – 14,629
Coach Saul Phillips’ Take: “We’ve got a group of guys that are focused on what they think they can accomplish. The accolades that have come our way this year have been wonderful, but they are not lining the walls of our players’ dorm rooms. I promise you that.” Coach Carolyn DeHoff’s Take: “This will be the youngest team since I have been here. ... However, it’s a talented group. A talented, young group that lacks experience, and you can’t do anything about that but prepare everyday for practice and play the games.”
South Dakota State University Jackrabbits Brookings, S.D. (pop. 22,591) Enrollment – 11,118
Coach Phillips Take: “You look at South Dakota State and the rivalry we have had with them. We went on quite a run against them where we won quite a few in a row. They have taken the last four or five from us, and certainly that is something we would like to change.”
University South Dakota Coyotes Vermillion, S.D. (pop. 10,811) Enrollment – 7,690
Coach Phillips’ Take: “They could probably play with one athletic center and four folding chairs and they’ll hold you at 50 points. ... Don’t sleep on Western Illinois, for sure.”
University of Denver Pioneers Denver, Colo. (pop. 634,265) Enrollment – 5,394
Coach Phillips’ Take: “The games I think the fans are really going to enjoy are the Denver games. I have seen them plenty on tape and they are very, very good.” Coach DeHoff’s Take: “They certainly add to the competition that we’ve lost in the loss of Oakland and Oral Roberts over the last couple years. They’ve got local kids; what I mean by that is they’ve got regional kids in the Minnesota area, so we certainly know how those kids can play. So look forward to that competition, because they certainly bring it.”
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University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks Omaha, Neb. (pop. 421, 570) Enrollment – 12,136
Coach Phillips’ Take: “They play the highest tempo of anybody in America. … You better be able to switch gears in a hurry.”
he Summit League is a place 13 Bison teams call home. The track and field, softball and golf teams have all conquered the Summit League before, and now it’s the BASKETBALL team’s turn. The men were there in 2009 and will look to return to the top of the Summit League this season as the women will attempt to stay relevant in a ferocious conference. Now it’s your turn to learn what the coaches already know as we explore the Summit League. By Madalyn Laske
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne Mastodons Fort Wayne, Ind. (pop. 254,555) Enrollment – 13,117
Coach Phillips’ Take: “They’ve got some good perimeter players obviously, led by (Luis) Jacobo and you add in a couple bigs there, that could be a team that could jump up and surprise people.”
Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis Jaguars Indianapolis, Ind. (pop. 844,220) Enrollment – 22,271
Coach Phillips’ Take: “It’s so hard to base anything on last season because they had so many injuries and so many new faces. It’d be hard to completely discount them this year.”
Western Illinois University Leathernecks Macomb, Ill. (pop. 19,254) Enrollment – 10,263
Coach Phillips’ Take: “They could probably play with one athletic center and four folding chairs and they’ll hold you at 50 points. ... Don’t sleep on Western Illinois, for sure.”
North Dakota State University BISON Men’s
Preseason rank: 1st Last year’s finish: Overall: 24-10. Summit: 12-4. Player to watch: Taylor Braun, Senior, Forward. Preseason Summit League Player of the Year. Led Bison in points per game the last two seasons and has scored 1,087 points in his career. Of note: Ranked 7th in men’s Mid-Major top-25. Returning entire starting five and top-8 scorers from last season. Haven’t made the NCAA tournament since 2009. Lost to SDSU in Summit League championship game last spring.
Women’s Preseason rank: 8th Last year’s finish: Overall: 10-19. Summit: 6-9. Player to watch: Sophomore, Marena Whittle, Forward. Leading returning scorer with 6.7 points per game. Of note: Lost top-5 scorers from last season’s team. Eliminated in the first round of Summit League tournament by eventual runner-ups, South Dakota.
South Dakota State University Jackrabbits Men’s
Preseason rank: 3rd Last year’s finish: Overall: 25-10. Summit: 3-3. Player to watch: Jordan Dykstra, senior, forward. Started in all 35 games. Led the team with 7.9 rebound per game and nine double-doubles. Of note: Point guard Nate Wolters drafted by Milwaukee Bucks. Beat NDSU in Summit League Championship (73-67). Lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Michigan. NDSU leads the all-time series rivalry 109-98.
Women’s
Preseason rank: 1st Last year’s finish: Overall: 25-8. Summit: 14-2. Player to watch: Megan Waytashek, junior, guard. Averaged 13.6 points per game. Scored 30 or more points in two games. Of note: Summit League Conference champions. Lost in first round of the NCAA tournament. 5th consecutive trip to the big dance.
Western Illinois University Leathernecks Men’s
University of Denver Pioneers Men’s
Preseason rank: 2nd Last year’s finish: Overall: 22-10. Western Athletic Conference: 16-2. Player to watch: Chris Udofia, Senior, Forward. Denver University Male Athlete of the year. Over 1,000 career points. Led Denver in scoring 13 times, rebounding and assists 11 times, steals six times and blocks 25 times last season. Of note: The Summit League is their third league in three years.* First-ever postseason victory last year against Ohio in the National Invitation Tournament. Ranked 9th in the men’s Mid-Major top 25.
Preseason rank: 4th Last year’s finish: Overall: 22-9. Summit: 13-3. Player to watch: Adam Link, senior, forward. 9.9 points per game. Shot 51 percent from the field in 33 games. Season best eight rebounds against NDSU in the Summit League semifinals. Of note: Lost forward Terell Parks and guard Ceola Clark III. Lost to NDSU in the second round of the Summit League tournament after beating the Bison twice during conference play.
Women’s
Preseason rank: 6th Last year’s finish: Overall: 14-16. Summit: 7-9. Player to watch: Ashley Luke, sophomore, forward. Averaged 10.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Had team-leading seven double-doubles and 29 blocks. Of note: Lost to Fort Wayne in double overtime (106-101) in the first round of the Summit League Tournament.
*Coach Joe Scott’s Take: “I think every league challenge,
no matter what the name of your league is, it’s the same. It’s about who’s tough, who’s resilient, who sticks to the task and who is better month to month to month throughout the college basketball season and hopefully our experience is going to help us with that.”
Women’s
Preseason rank: 5th Last year’s finish: Overall: 15-17. Western Athletic Conference: 8-10.Of note: The Summit League is their third league in three years. Head coach Kerry Creameans second year of coaching the Pioneers. Player to watch: Morgan Van Riper-Rose, junior, guard. Last season averaged 13.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game and scored over 20 points nine times.
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University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks Men’s
Preseason rank: 5th Last year’s finish: Overall: 11-20. Summit: 6-10. Player to watch: Justin Simmons, senior, guard. Scored 517 points. 16.7 points per game. Shot 47 percent from the field. Of note: The Mavericks return four starters from last season.
Women’s
Preseason rank: 7th Last year’s finish: 18-11. Summit: 7-9. Player to watch: Ericka House, senior, guard. Averaged nine points/game. Top-scoring bench player in the Summit League. Of note: Lost three of their top scorers from last season.
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne Mastodons Men’s
Preseason rank: 6th Last year’s finish: Overall: 16-17. Summit: 7-9. Player to watch: Luis Jacobo, senior, forward. Only Mastodon to play in all 33 games. Averaged 11.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Scored 21 points against the Bison. Of note: Made it to the Summit League tournament semifinals beating Oakland in the first round.
Women’s
Preseason rank: 4th Last year’s finish: Overall: 13-17. Summit: 8-8. Player to watch: Amanda Hyde, senior, forward. Summit League Player of the Year. Over 1,000 career points. 558 points last year. Of note: The Mastodons lost to SDSU in the semifinals of the Summit League Tournament last season after beating Western Illinois in double overtime in the first round.
University South Dakota Coyotes Men’s
Preseason rank: 7th Last year’s finish: Overall: 10-18. Summit: 5-12. Player to watch: Trevor Gruis, senior, center. Over 1,000 career points. Shot 60 percent from field. Averaged 12.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Of note: Beat SDSU during conference play.
Women’s
Preseason rank: 3rd Last year’s finish: Overall: 19-16. Summit: 9-5. Player to watch: Nicole Seekamp, junior, guard. Scored 520 points. Summit League Tournament MVP after averaging 20.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Of note: Summit League conference tournament runner-up. Women’s Basketball Invitational runner-up.
Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis Jaguars Men’s
Preseason rank: 8th Last year’s finish: Overall: 6-26. Summit: 1-15. Player to watch: Mitch Patton, senior, center. Team-high 13.7 points per game. Led team in field goal percentage, 58.2, and blocked shots, 30. Of note: Played in Italy this summer. Play the University of Missouri and Marquette this season.
Women’s
Preseason rank: 2nd Last year’s finish: Overall: 20-12. Summit: 12-4. Player to watch: Dee-Dee Bellamy, Senior, Guard. Summit League Defensive Player of the Year. Played in all 32 games. Of note: IUPUI is a very experienced team who beat SDSU twice last season.
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BISONCROSSING Junior Varsity
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Are you a Bison die-hard? Think you have superior knowledge of Bison athletics? Prove it every month at the Bison Crossing.
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Thanks for playing! Find the correct answers in the December issue of Bison Illustrated.
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Down 1. 2. The football team plays Illinois State University in the Harvest Bowl. What
Across 6. Who is the women’s soccer head coach? 10. Athletic Director Gene Taylor received his undergraduate
city is Illinois State University located? 3. NDSU alum Joel Vettel is a ______ time All-American in wrestling. 4. This Bison women’s golfer clinched a spot in the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament.
degree in business management at ___________ ____________ University.
11. Where is NDSU fullback Andrew Grothman’s hometown? 16.
5. season? 7. Former NDSU linebacker Joe Mays currently plays for which NFL team? 8. What is North Dakota’s leading crop? 9. Who was the starting NDSU quarterback before Brock Jenson? 12. Craig Bohl passed former head coach rocky _________ in most games won with the Bison. 13. ________ Dombeck is the senior defensive specialist for NDSU volleyball. 14. Which city in North Dakota is the geographical center of North America? 15. The Bison Sports Arena is soon to be renovated and renamed the _____ Health Athletic Complex.
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17. Which country is 2009 Summit League Player of the Year Ben Woodside currently playing professional basketball in?
18. NDSU was founded in 1890 and originally called North Dakota ___________ College before it was renamed to North Dakota State University in 1960.
19. Men’s basketball player _____ _________ led NDSU in scoring averaging 15.4 points per game last season.
20. A record _________ NDSU men’s basketball games will be televised this season.
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WALKER’S WORD Also in the administration side of things is our great Team Makers association, which continues to answer the bell when more funds are needed to keep Bison Athletics at the top. Pat Simmers and his team makes it possible for student athletes to enjoy college to the fullest extent by making sure all of the sports are funded through the generosity of donors. The strength of the Herd is the Bison, and the strength of the Bison is the Herd. Consider joining Team Makers today!
A Month To Give Thanks By Steve Walker |
Coaching Staffs ovember is a month where many people sit back and give thanks for their health, family, friends, children and other good fortunes in their lives. As Bison fans, we are very fortunate to also have a fantastic university and athletic program to be thankful for. When you look around the region and even the country, the list is not too long of colleges that are in as good of a position as NDSU. Let’s take some time to reflect on the good fortune we have as Bison Nation.
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Academic Administration
President Dean Bresciani, his staff, administrators, professors and faculty make NDSU a very welcoming atmosphere for students and prospective students. When walking across campus, you do not have to look far to find students with a smile on their face, professors molding minds of future leaders and leadership ensuring that college life at NDSU is a great experience for everyone. The time spent at NDSU in the classroom, athletic events and other campus activities make putting up with ridiculous winters well worth its weight in gold.
Athletic Administration and Leadership
“Bison Athletics is at the forefront of all of Bison Nation’s mind and we are very lucky to have great student athletes Student-Athletes let’s be thankful for the great group of sturepresenting Finally, dent athletes that we have the pleasure to watch in their sports. A coach and a friend of mine has said our proud a number of times, “You chose Fargo, Fargo did not choose you,” while referencing new and existing university.” student athletes. This rings true within every sport.
One of the first names that comes to mind when I think of NDSU athletics is Gene Taylor. He has done as good of a job as possible in his tenure as athletic director for the Bison. A prime example is who would have thought we would see the day when ESPN’s College GameDay would be in Fargo? This did not happen by accident, but by leadership. Like most of the coaching staffs do during media interviews, Taylor will be the first to pass on credit to those around him. The entire athletic administration is top notch and makes NDSU a great atmosphere for student athletes, fans and alumni to enjoy Bison Athletics.
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Every sport, whether it is men’s or women’s athletics, has leaders that turn high school standouts into the best collegiate athletes they can be. This encompasses not only the head coaches whose names you see in the media, but also the assistants, athletic trainers, strength coaches and support staff. When you look through the names of the head coaches that NDSU has now and who has been through the staff in different years, you will find many memorable names. We are very fortunate to have top notch coaches in their profession that give the Bison a fighting chance during every game/match/contest. It has become expected that Bison coaches are the best at what they do. This does not happen overnight, but both in the Division-II days and since the transition to Division-I this has become reality.
Bison Athletics is at the forefront of all of Bison Nation’s mind and we are very lucky to have great student athletes representing our proud university. It is a common thing for NDSU student athletes to perform well in competition, but some things that often go over looked is what they are giving back off the field. Countless volunteer hours are given to those less fortunate or going through a difficult time, and the Bison athletes will give their time and effort without hesitation for the good of those around them. Thank you very much on behalf of all Bison fans to the current, former and future student athletes at NDSU! *Steve Walker started 36 games as quarterback for the Bison between 2004 - 2007. He holds school records for pass attempts in a game, pass completion percentage, yards gained passing in a game and touchdown passes in a single game.
TEAM
MAKERS get. For this, we will only talk about athletic director Gene Taylor.
Supporting StudentAthletes By Paul Bougie
reetings from the West Parking Lot! Just north of Thor’s and across the way from Past President Grubb’s compound, and with plastic tailgating approved cup in hand.
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This has been such a great time to be a Bison, as a supporter and a Team Maker. I have never been more proud of our student athletes. Not only do they keep up a full class load (and some of us remember how hard that was) and find time to hang out with friends, they go out and perform at the highest level on the field. Keep in mind, these student athletes that give up their time to compete for NDSU are still working with the same 24/7 clock as other students, and you and me. That brings me to my little story.
“Wait for it…here it comes…. ready…set… IF YOU REALLY WANT TO BE A PART OF THE TEAM, JOIN TEAM MAKERS!”
The other day, while a few Team Makers and I were enjoying the fun of tailgating, there were many conversations taking place. But one stuck with us, so I thought this would be a good place to share the conversation and answer all the questions. Someone asked, “Why join?” “What’s the money for?” “Doesn’t Gene Taylor get enough money from the university and the state?”
Well, as I almost choked on my beverage, we started to explain how the money that Team Makers has collected is used. We told all who would listen how it all works; needless to say, some people were still unsure how it works. So for all who want to join, in a simple but fun way, here is how YOUR Team Maker donations work. Down off the corner of University Drive and 12th Avenue North is the house of president Dean Bresciani. Every year Bresciani is given a huge herd of Bison! All the leaders of every department across campus come to a “Herd Party” with a list of how many Bison they need and why. Then, after all the stories of new buildings, new technology and research plans are told, Bresciani decides how many Bison each one will 74
BISON ILLUSTRATED
Taylor says he needs 150 Bison this year. But the president says he can only have 100. This makes Taylor sad, but he understands why. So he plans how to use his herd. This is where Team Makers comes in. As Team Makers, we have a couple of extra Bison. So we give them to Taylor to use for scholarships for our student athletes, who go out and make us proud as they represent Bison Nation — not only on the field of play, but also being academically superior, making us even more proud. Sure, my little story was simple and fun, but that is how it works. We help provide money for scholarships for our student athletes so they can get a quality education, and still put their best product on the field, court, track, course, mat, etc. And when they do, well, we all say “WOW! We have a great team!” Wait for it…here it comes….ready…set…IF YOU REALLY WANT TO BE A PART OF THE TEAM, JOIN TEAM MAKERS! We are not expecting everybody to come forward with a full scholarship (oh, but wouldn’t that be so cool!), we want you do to what you are comfortable with. One hundred and fifty dollars a year, $200 a month; whatever you can do, it all helps. It all makes a difference in the lives of our student athletes.
Plus, it helps you to gather those important priority points for playoff tickets, tailgating spots and so much more! As the Vice President of Team Makers and Fundraising chair, I want to personally thank all of you who have been part of the team for many years. I also want to welcome all of you who are now part of the team as new Team Makers. Finally, I invite all of you that have not yet joined to think about being a part of the team. Contact a Team Maker member and ask all the questions you have, and consider joining today. We are all FANS in Bison Nation, but it is time for all of the fans to be part of the TEAM! * Paul Bougie is the Vice President of Team Makers and Fundraising Chair. Team Makers is a non-profit organization committed to raising scholarship money for student-athletes and assisting them in earning degrees for a successful future.
SWANY
SAYS...
@swany8 of it.” The words from Lincoln may be polished, but their meaning is unmistakably clear – Meade screwed up, and he screwed up big, effectively costing the Union a chance at ending the bloodshed and death.
Giving Thanks, and Thanking Abraham Lincoln
Meade must have been devastated to read these words from his commander-in-chief. Lincoln had accused Meade of prolonging the war indefinitely, indicating the Union’s “golden opportunity” to end the war was gone, all because of Meade’s failure to aggressively pursue Lee. These words pierce even the most calloused skin. How did Meade feel then, and what did he do, when he read these words? Nothing. Meade did nothing because he never read these words. Lincoln sealed the letter in an envelope labeled “To Gen. Meade, never sent, or signed,” and put it in a desk drawer where it remained undiscovered until after Lincoln and Meade’s deaths.
By Josh Swanson |
here’s a lot we can learn from Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln is one of the most revered figures in world history – and a model for all leaders, especially presidents – for good reason. With the Union hanging precariously in the balance, Lincoln summoned every ounce of political courage, leadership, and humanity in the fight to save our Union. And, in so doing, gave his life for that glorious cause. Some 150 years later, we know the rest of the story. If you’re into history, politics, leadership, or just a good read, do yourself a big favor and pick up Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book “Team of Rivals.” The book focuses on Lincoln’s leadership ability and his genius of bringing in, and bringing together, his four main rivals whom he surprisingly beat out for the 1860 Republican presidential nomination, to form the nucleus of the team that would ultimately save our Union.
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“The vast majority of our fans are deeply and sincerely grateful for the joys and memories this team has given us... For that, I too give thanks.”
But here’s a Lincoln story you might not know, and one that I turned to in writing this column. Despite being our greatest chief executive, what not many people know is that Lincoln had a temper, albeit one he, like George Washington, was able to largely control. How did Lincoln control that temper – and what in the name of Gettysburg does that have to do with the Bison, or this column?
Everyone knows the Union forces prevailed over Robert E. Lee’s forces at Gettysburg in July 1863. While the Gettysburg victory ended the confederate incursion into the north, and for all practical purposes ended any serious threat of a Union defeat in the war, the Civil War continued for another two years, finally ending with Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House in April 1865. Even in the Gettysburg victory, Lincoln was absolutely livid at Major General George Meade, the commanding Union general, for allowing Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia to retreat back across the Potomac. Lincoln felt, and perhaps rightfully so, that Meade could’ve ended the Civil War at Gettysburg by pursuing and destroying Lee before he was able to lead his army back over the Potomac. When Lincoln learned of this, he penned a scathing letter to Meade. Lincoln described his distress as being immeasurable, writing, “Again, my dear general, I do not believe you appreciate the magnitude of the misfortune involved in Lee’s escape. He was within your easy grasp, and to have closed upon him would, in connection with our other late successes, have ended the war. As it is, the war will be prolonged indefinitely. If you could not safely attack Lee last Monday, how can you possibly do so South of the river, when you can take with you very few more than two thirds of the force you then had in hand? It would be unreasonable to expect, and I do not expect you can now effect much. Your golden opportunity is gone, and I am distressed immeasurably because
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Like Lincoln, and probably like many of you, I’m often tempted to unleash my feelings without considering their impact. But because of this lesson from Lincoln, I’ve learned to check my tempered feelings when I’m upset. Instead, for a few years now, I’ve practiced storing these thoughts through a cooling-off period, which is usually enough to put things into perspective – and keep me from releasing them on the Meade’s that I come across. Such was the case with the original version of this column.
The original version of this column was directed at a select few in our fanbase that have the stones to criticize and actually jeer our players and coaches – at home in the FargoDome and on internet message boards or radio airwaves – for what they believe to be slights in the form of incomplete passes, missed tackles, or bad play calls. I’m tempted every time I hear those complaints, especially the jeers, to march right up to the offenders and put them in their place. To let these hypercritical folks know that they are no Craig Bohl or Vince Lombardi, to tell them they couldn’t tell a two-deep zone coverage from zero coverage if it bit them in the shorts, or explain the difference between a onetechnique and three-technique, and why that matters. I’m a pretty good football mind and I don’t even know what all that means. I wanted to put those “fans” on blast in this column, and in fact did at first. Here’s an excerpt from the original version of this column: “This is the healthy dose of per-
spective you’re sorely lacking when you bark at athletes half your age, and their coaches, for plays you thought they should have made. You’re behaving like a jackass and embarrassing yourself. Sort of an odd way to start a column titled ‘Giving Thanks,’ right?” That version of this column will remain forever tucked away in my desk drawer, never sent, and unsigned.
Instead of sending that column to my editors, I went to lunch with my brother and sister. I cooled down and gained some much needed perspective on what I was thankful for, lunch with my siblings, the lessons of Lincoln, North Dakota State and this column among them. I decided that I didn’t want to waste an entire column lecturing some jackass “fans” because the vast majority of our fans would never jeer our guys. The vast majority of our fans are deeply and sincerely grateful for the joys and memories this team has given us – and the many more joys and memories that will be created in the coming three months. For that, I too give thanks. That sort of perspective is important during this season of thanks. A blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours. Everyone up for the kickoff, the march is on.
PopQuiz Football
The Hillsboro native has been one of the many unsung heroes on the Bison football team since his freshman year. As a fullback, Grothmann has led the way for three 1,000-yard rushers during his tenure at NDSU.
With NDSU Athletes What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
Apple, Cherry, Pumpkin or Pecan pie?
Most prized possession?
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Pumpkin
My dog Luke
Mashed Potatoes
Pumpkin Pie
My Bible
Apple pie
National championship rings
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Apple
My phone
Turkey
Apple
St. Christopher Necklace
Andrew Grothmann
Soccer
Fitzsimmons has been a captain on the soccer team since she was a junior. Now a senior, Fitzsimmons has been a force on defense for the Bison while keeping her nose in the books, studying pharmacy in the classroom.
Sheri Fitzsimmons
Football
Gimmestad joined the Bison as a defensive tackle, but made the transition to a “Ram” on the offensive side of the ball in 2011. Since then, Gimmestad has been a prolific run blocker, opening holes for the Bison running game.
Turkey, ham, corn, mashed potatoes and gravy
Women’s Basketball
Tyler Gimmestad
LeMar is a junior transfer from Southern Illinois where she tapped into the record book dropping 194 dimes in 60 games. In high school, LeMar was a McDonald’s All-American nominee.
Men’s Basketball
Brooke LeMar Felt is your ultimate “heat check” and has been a force to be reckoned with coming off the bench for the Bison. Felt has logged minutes in every game for the Bison since his sophomore season and looks to continue his hot shooting this season.
Mike Felt 78
BISON ILLUSTRATED
What is the last series you completed on Netflix?
The Office
Well... more recently on HBO I just finished Game of Thrones... but if you can’t use that, the last Netflix I finished was Scrubs
Comic Book Men
Breaking Bad
I don’t have Netflix
Favorite teammate to room with during road trips?
Anthony LaVoy
Katie Tallas
Josh Colville
I haven’t been on one yet here, but I would say Catavia because she braids my hair
Douglas Kading
RegisteR to win two $500 gift CaRds given away eaCh week on the kvly petRo seRve usa bison football pRegame show. stop in to RegisteR at any of petRo seRve usa’s 21 loCations!