*EDONLI IT
N IO E N!
*
*
November 2012
PHIL WE HAD COME HANSeN STUDIO TO OUR had and he to plenty out talk ab
EVer wonder about the academic side of athletEs? Well you should! pg.27 The Best heart to heart story we have ever done! pg.41
pg.39
A Conversation with
S A U L P H IL L IP S
pg. 11
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CONTENTS
7
NOVEMBER 2012 | VOLUME 6 ISSUE 3
BISON EYE VIEW
Get an eagle’s eye view of NDSU Tailgating.
11 DEEP THOUGHTS WITH SAUL PHILLIPS You haven’t seen men’s basketball coach, Saul Phillips, like this.
19 27 41
TOM, MIKE AND THE BASKETBALL ACADEMY
What are NDSU basketball greats Mike Nelson and Tom Wilberscheid up to these days? Find out on page 19.
FINDING THE BALANCE
Being a student and an athlete is an incredible challenge. Find out how these student athletes handle the challenge.
THE DENIS ISROW STORY
Who invented Bison Pride? We did the research and we have the story.
50 Swany Says 51 To the Mat 55 Pop Quiz 57 Billy Turner 59 Brynn Joki 63 BBF Atmosphere
PHOTOS: BISON ILLUSTRATED/DENNIS HOFF/NDSU ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS; COVER: PHOTOGRAPHY
9 Meet the team 15 Time Capsule 25 Home Sweet Home 35 Schedules 37 Swany V. Walker 39 Phil Hansen
8
BISON ILLUSTRATED
BISON ILLUSTRATED
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8
[
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
er lish Pub ht.com , h c savi / otlig rago @fmsp ok.com D e o o k i g b a e r M :D ac ated k: f r ail ated Em aceboo nillust Illustr o n F bis Biso @ er: t t i Tw
BEHIND THE PHOTOGRAPHY
[
1
characters that these great people are. Not only do they put up with stress in a deadline business, they also find time to enjoy life. I hope you are enjoying what we have put together so far. It’s our fourth issue and we have been receiving some great feedback. I’m trying my hardest to work on all the suggestions, believe me!
HOT
SHOTS
No, I don't think we are all hot shots. Take it easy! Ha. This title refers to what I believe the track that this magazine is on, in regards to layout and photography. We now have a new photo studio, photographer (Jesse Hoorelbeke of J. Alan Paul Photography, check out his work at www.jalanpaul.com) and we even hired a pilot to take a pic of tailgating. (We’re thinking about mounting a camera on Thundar next?) The more we get into this, I am realizing that photography is really important to putting together a great magazine! In this issue you will see a couple new types of layouts and complimentary photography to our articles. We used this issue to try some creative techniques and I encourage you to let me know your thoughts or ideas on how we could capture new stories in a creative way. On another note, I don’t think I have ever experienced a more challenging or exciting month of preparation for this issue. Couldn’t of done anything without my team. That’s why, this month I wanted to take time to do a photo shoot with all of my teammates. Let you see the amazing
2
Over to the right I included some behind the scenes shots so you can see a little glimpse of what we worked on this month.
WHAT IS UP WITH THESE PICS?
3
1. Wanna be like mike? Mike (Dimer) Nelson getting ready for his shot. We used our new ring flash to give it a cool effect. See it on page 19 2. Shadow Days We went low light to really bring out the shadowing to create an intense photo. See it on page 59 3. School Shot We had to place her in the exact same spot to merge the student version of Andrea with the athlete version of Andrea. See page 27
4
4. The Thinking Man Saul Phillips’ interprets an iconic Michael Douglas photo we found in an “Esquire” magazine. See it on page 11. 5. Box Out Tom and Mike test the durability of the photo studio. See it on page 19.
5
-DRAGO
BISON ILLUSTRATED
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10
NOVEMBER 2012 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 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 Inc.
PRESIDENT
Mike Dragosavich
EDITOR DESIGN/LAYOUT
Upcoming Events Nov. 8th Opening of Godfather’s Pizza Nov. 10 - 11th Community Days/Church Bazaar Nov. 15th Girl’s Night Out Vendor Show Nov. 23 - Dec. 24th Santa Arrives for Pictures Nov. 24th Small Business Saturday
ASSOCIATE EDITOR CONTRIBUTORS
WRITERS GENERAL MANAGER ADMINISTRATION
Andrew Jason Mike Dragosavich, James Ness, Andy Neidt Steph Stanislao Andrew Jason, Josh Swanson, Nick Proulx, Steph Stanislao, Matt Langamo Andrew Jason, Steph Stanislao, Josh Swanson and Steve Walker Brent Tehven Alizabeth Gaddie
MARKETING/SALES
Brent Tehven, Tracy Nicholson and Todd Graf
ONLINE CONTENT
Kelsey Kuller
PHOTOGRAPHY
Jesse Ho orelbeke of J. Alan Paul Photography (www.jalanpaul. com), Andrew Jason, Dennis Hoff and NDSU Media Relations
SPECIAL THANKS
Jeff Schwartz, Ryan Perreault and NDSU Athletic Media Relations
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.
Schedule your lessons today! www.fargobasketball.com
Send change of address information and other correspondence to: Spotlight Media Inc. 502 1st Ave N. First Floor or info@fmspotlight.com
BISON ILLUSTRATED
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11
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Design & Living CLICK HERE
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TAILGATING
New Tailgate Lot What used to be a dirt parking lot full of crazy Bison fans, is now with insane Bison fans!
BISON EYE
VIEW 14
BISON ILLUSTRATED
TAILGATING
Students This is where the students eagerly await, and sometimes try to camp-out for admittance to each and every home game.
West Entrance If you’re not a student and like to enjoy the tailgating festivities, chances are you enter these doors before kick-off.
The Big Rigs This spot opened when it all began and is the traditional spot to be.
Team Makers Tailgate Come enjoy some delicious food, drinks and listen to live music!
Photo by Repor Photography
BISON ILLUSTRATED
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15
[ MEET OUR
THE TEAM
steph
Andrew
editor
Nick
editor
alizabeth
ADMINISTRATION BISON ILLUSTRATED
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editorial
andy
jesse
editorial
16
Kylee
Photography
tracy
DESIGN
kelsey
MARKETING
SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEB
TEAM [ Sarah
MIKE
editorial
james
Punter
Brent
DESIGN
GENERAL MANAGER
todd
GOT QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? info@fmspotlight.com 701.478.7768
MARKETING
I T A S R E V N A CO Article by Nick Proulx
with
Saul Phillips
Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography
You would expect the head coach of a Division I basketball team to have some e x p e r i e n c e p l a y i n g b u c k e t s a t t h a t s a m e l e v e l b a c k i n t h e d a y. W e l l , f o r t h e N D S U men’s basketball team, that’s not the case. Instead, the Bison have a man who knew he wanted a head-coaching job at the college level since the fifth grade.
off-season?
say that playing is a heck of a lot more fun
the fun part.
T
a coach?
here are two things his players know about this guy: He watches a
was able to with his when he was trying
league or play a whole ton of golf or softball.
someone who wants to play for a D-1 team?
he stacks up a whole lot higher than his physical stature. We caught up with him to see what he thinks matters most in that post.
18
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the best of the best; this is the top .1 percent of high school players. To be the best there has to be a combination of
ION
BASKETBALL
Saul is entering his coach of the Bison team. This will be his ninth year at NDSU.
B I S O N I BL ILSO U SN T R IAL LUST T E D R AT ED
SU M M E R 2012
5
TIME CAPSULE
THUNDAR THROuGh A Tradition Through the Ages Here’s a trivia question for you. What was the mascot’s name before the moniker “Thundar”? Give up? It was Bernie Bison. (Yeah, we’re not a big fan of the name either.) Young and old love Thundar. Well, here’s a little of his history.
2011 The current mascot, who you can see at most Bison sporting events, taking part in “Welcome Week” at NDSU last fall.
1997
Thundar received a substantial makeover before making the leap into the new millennium. This shot was taken at a basketball game around 1997.
1992
Thundar on the court of the Bison Sports Arena in 1992 — in living color!
22
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TIME CAPSULE The Bison mascot braves the frigid North Dakota weather at a football game all the way back in 1984.
1984
1991 1991
1991 Homecoming
The mascot proceeds along with the rest of the homecoming parade in 1991, stopping a brief moment to take a low-five from a young fan. This year it took on the name “Thundar,” which is still used today.
1991 Playoffs Thundar presides tall and proud over the crowd during a playoff football game in 1991 — the only playoff game that fall. Mankato State upset the defending national champions 27-7. BISON ILLUSTRATED
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23
IN THE DOME
John Crockett helps up Vraa after a
NDSU NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Photos by Dennis Hoff
Coach Polasek the Bison football game on Oct. 6. 2340
B IBSI OS NO NI LI LL UL SU TS RT AR TA ET DE D
IN THE DOME
Marcus Williams
The love could be felt miles away from the FargoDome on Oct. 6, as it was one of Fargo-Moorhead’s favorite holiday… NDSU Homecoming! Eager fans caravaned to the new tailgating lots early in the morning to begin the annual festivities. Students lined the south doors waiting impatiently for the doors of the Dome to unlock, and old friends who graced NDSU’s campus once upon a time gave hugs and shook hands. The football team led by Coach Bohl stampeded through the green and gold helmet ready to take on the team that they had been waiting to play since last November—Youngstown State. It’s clear that the Penguins weren’t prepared for what they would have to deal with on or off the field… a rough and tough football team and just as rough and tough Bison fans!
youngsters
How ‘bout that Bison
BISON ILLUSTRATED
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
TOM, MIKE and THE
BASKETBALL
ACADeMY By Steph Stanislao
Photos by J. Alan Paul photography
The F a r g o B a s k e t b a l l A c a d e m y , which was started by former NDSU Basketball great Tom Wilberscheid, has been a fun and helpful place for youth in the Fargo-Moorhead area to learn the fundamentals of basketball for years. Over 3,000 kids have come through its doors and have left with better skills as well as smiles on their faces. Bison Illustrated caught up with W i l b e r s c h e i d a n d h i s a s s i s ta n t, f o r m e r N D S U B a s k e t b a l l p l ay e r Mike Nelson, to see what makes their program work. 26
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
BISON ILLUSTRATED
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27
PLAYER ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT
TOM Wilberscheid
when it comes to performing in game situations.”
28
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Grand Forks
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Mike Nelson
Find more information on Tom and Mike at the Fargo Basketball Academy by going to www.fargobasketball.com or check it their space at 5409 53 Ave. S, Fargo. 30
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33
We ask Andrea
STUDENT LIFE
FIND TIME TO BE A
HOW DO THEY
Being a student athlete is a two-part proposition, a n d n o t a n e a s y o n e at t h at. T h i s m o n t h w e ta k e a l o o k at a wonder-woman who manages to find the balance between talent on the court and excellence in the c l a s s r o o m . A n d r e a H e n n i n g i s a v o l l e y b a l l p l ay e r w h o was named to the Summit League Fall All Academic Team as Distinguished Scholars and to the Summit League Commissioner’s List of Academic Excellence last year. W e c a u g h t u p w i t h h e r t o s e e h o w s h e d o e s i t.
AND AN
Photos by J. Alan Paul photography
By Stephanie Stanislao and Nick Proulx
STUDENT ATHLETE?
BISON ILLUSTRATED
STUDENT LIFE
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35
STUDENT LIFE
This is Andrea Henning Year: Senior Credits this semester: 12,
compared to a usual 15 or 16-credit load.
Major: Exercise Science Hardest class right now: Abnormal Psychology
A regular day: Monday and
Wednesday morning – lifts from 7 to 8:30 a.m., treatments at the Fieldhouse at 2 p.m. each day, then practice from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
36
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STUDENT LIFE
The key to finding the balance:
BISON:
Has there been any time during your career here that you found your limits?
ANDREA:
BISON:
What’s the perception most people have about student athletes, and what’s the reality that you experience?
ANDREA:
BISON:
Do you lose sleep over all of it?
ANDREA:
BISON:
What does the academic recognition you received last year mean to you?
ANDREA:
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37
STUDENT LIFE
SAAC
Student Athlete Advisory Council
Y
38
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ONCE A BISON...
ALWAYS A BISON
STEVE WALKER
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Official title: Unofficial Title: The woman who makes it all happen. Her Time Here: What She Does:
E “I OWE TH I REASON TED GRADUA TO ACE!”
go sa vi ch ye r an d -M ik e D ra Fo ot ba ll P la on is B e! Fo rm er in az ag th is m P ub lis he r of
40
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What She Has at Her Disposal:
Number of Student Athletes She Works With:
BY THE S R E B NUM By the Numbers:
a 3.195. breakdown of Student Athletes in NDSU colleges:
14 27 48
53 117 31 31
70
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DEBATE
Y N A SW at his time dent g n i r u D rts. ’s stu ows spo itor of NDSU onthly n k n o s d an m se Josh Sw was the sport ,” and writes a Says.” e y m h NDSU, r, “The Spectru d called “Swan te pe newspa r Bison Illustra o f column
VS
QUESTION 1 S wany: Staying healthy and not beating ours elves. The Bison are playing better than anybody else in the FCS right now, and better than a majority of teams in the FBS. We’re in the driver ’s seat for a top seed and Dome-field advantage throughout the playoffs. It will take a superior performance for anybody to beat us at home. I can’t see this team losing at home barring several key injuries and big mistakes. Locking up that home fie ld adv antage is c r itic al.
QUESTION 2 S wany: Steve’s right to a certain extent. Players and coaches don’t care about stats and records. That’s never been the “Bison Way.” With that said, records are fun for fans and the talking heads. This year ’s defense has the potential to set some team records and make an argument that they’re the best in school history. But, when it comes to brass tax, there’s only one record that really matters - tying the three other teams in school history with 14 wins. And like those three teams (‘88, ‘90, and ‘11) raise a banner to the Fargodome rafters.
QUESTION 3 S wany: This team is hitting on all cylinders right now in every phase of the game. Our offense is on the verge, arguably, of being the most prolific in school history with all due respect to those great option teams of the 1980s. Likewise, the defense and special teams have been superb. Not withstanding, we haven’t won a damn thing yet. Like Mr. Walker said, any coach or player will tell you we must improve every day, week-after-week, if we want to achieve our goal of winning a c hampions hip. I f w e don’t, w e ’ll ge t be at, plain an d si m pl e. 44
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S
DEBATE
WAL K
ER
Steve W alker w
as the s tarting q uarterba The Spo ck for t rts Netw he Biso o named n, to the A rk Walter Pay ton awa ll-Time is the co rd, Gr lor anal yst duri eat West Footb was recently KFGO n all Team Radio. g footba a ll game s this ye nd ar for
Nearing playoffs, what’s the biggest key to success? Walker : T h e b i g g e s t k e y i n m y m i n d i s t o k e e p e xecuting on the play c a l l s e v e r y s n a p . T h e c o a c h i n g s t a ff h a s d one a great job puttin g t h e p l a y e r s i n p o s i t i o n s t o s u c c e e d , a n d the game-plans have b e e n e x e c u t e d . I f w e k e e p w i n n i n g t h e t u r nover battle, N DSU i s g o i ng t o b e a to u g h te a m to p la y.
Is there any potential for a player to break any records this season? Walker : T h e r e i s a l w a y s t h a t c h a n c e , a s r e c o r d s are set to be broken . B u t i f y o u a s k a n y p l a y e r i n t h e l o c k e r room about indivi d u a l s t a t s a n d r e c o r d s , I c a n G U A R A N T E E you that they d o n ’t c a r e . T h e o n l y r e c o r d s t o b e b r o k e n that matter as a play e r a r e w i n n i n g a n o t h e r c o n f e r e n c e c h a m pionship, and makin g a no t he r p l a y o ff r u n .
The NDSU Football Program is among the best in the US, but are there any improvements the team can make? Walker : Yo u r g o o d g a m e s a r e n e v e r a s g o o d a s t hey seem, and the bad ga m e s a r e n e v e r a s b a d a s t h e y s e e m . T h a t being said, as a whole … W h a t n e e d s t o b e b e t t e r ? T h e o ff e n s e i s clicking and not turnin g t h e b a l l o v e r, t h e d e f e n s e i s d o m i n a n t , and special teams are ge t t i n g t h e h i d d e n y a r d s n e e d e d t o t u r n t h e field in favor of the Bi s o n ! Yo u c a n a l w a y s i m p r o v e o n t h e l i t t l e things, otherwise why p l a y t he g a m e ? BISON ILLUSTRATED
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45
l i h P n e s n a H
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
BI: How did your time at NDSU help you? BI: What was your greatest accomplishment in your football career? at halftime that we were getting run on by an BI: What does Bison Pride mean to you?
BI: Talk about your decision to go into politics.
BI: What do you think separated you out from the rest when you got to the NFL?
coach who was really into nutrition. I bought same weight. I guess that was my secret
46
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BI: Do you notice any similarities between football and politics?
that there were some coaches bantering back more about relationships than where you
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Three things you probably didn’t know about Phil Hansen.
1. He has no feeling in three hand. It was hard to manage a football career without feeling in his hand because it gets cold so easily. When he was a kid he accidentally put his hand through a glass plate.
2. Although he’s never
attended a Pro Bowl, he was put on the wall of fame at Buffalo in 2011.
3. He is still very active with school football and basketball and has a sportsmanship and Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography
that are able to happen because of a grant from the NFL.
TRADITION
48
BISON ILLUSTRATED
TRADITION
THE
COINED THE TERM
DENIS
ISROW
STORY By Steph Stanislao
“Bison Pride.” It can be seen everywhere in the Fargo-Moorhead area, around North Dakota and even stretches to places far from the plains. For most of us, it is hard to define exactly what Bison Pride is, but for Dr. Denis Isrow, the man who coined the term, it is simple. Izzy has been with NDSU Athletics for 49 years, and is known as the “Father of Athletic Training” in North Dakota.
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49
Dr. of athletic training or even to care for injuries, but sometimes dreams come to an individual at the most unexpected moment. Isrow, also known as Izzy, did not attend college immediately after graduating in 1955 from his high school in Michigan, but instead chose to serve his country as a Marine. Upon returning from his time in the service, Isrow attended Adam’s State College in Colorado. “I got back from the Marine Corp and went out for spring ball, and you have to remember I’m a 25-year-old man and they’re all 18-year-olds, so I went out for football and it was the man, than the rest of his teammates, Isrow was uncertain if he would see playing time at all. After having a conversation with Coach Mudra, and learning that he was the number four center on the team, Isrow explained to Mudra his dedication to the team and said, “coach I love sports, I’ll do anything for the team that and Isrow was on the sideline supporting his teammates. With any athletic activity there are bound to be injuries, and somehow Izzy was the guy that his team looked to if any of them got hurt. “We had two guys get injured and I took care of both of them, one was our quarterback and he ripped one of his intercostal muscles in his ribs. So, he had a really bad bruise. When I was in high school, I fell through a skylight and cut my ligament and tendon, and so my coach made a padding for me. I never forgot that. So I took a thigh
are you guys getting off to practice so quickly?’ They said, ’Izzy’s taping us.’
Eventually Coach Mudra decided it was time to move on to the next step in his coaching career and took a State. “I’m walking across campus, and Mudra walks over and goes, ‘What are you going to do next year? And I said, jobs.’ I thought I was going to be a football coach. That’s what I wanted to be. He said, ‘Would you ever consider I owe so much money to my dad. I don’t know if I can do this. I have to pay bills back.’ He said, ‘I’ll give you two scholarships. I’ll make sure you’ve got enough money to live on.’ I said, ‘Well I’ve got to ask before I can do getting his masters was a good idea, as it would give him more opportunities to obtain a better job and thus make more money, Isrow told Mudra that his answer was yes. I said to Mudra, ‘Where are we going?’
I was so angry I told him every day I was going to quit! I would say, ’I’m quittin’ I’m going to serve beer in my dad’s bar! I’m gettin’ the hell out of here!’ He’d say, ‘Sit down! We’re gonna be another Michigan State!’ He just pounded me, and I really liked him. I probably respect him more than any other coach I’ve ever had. If it wasn’t
and I took a piece of sponge rubber and cut a hole in it called a
told that he would be coaching centers, as well as caring for any injuries. It didn’t take long for Izzy and Mudra
day or so, Izzy was able to have the quarterback ready for game day, and the team ended up winning the game. This one instance would forever change the path that Izzy’s life would take.
me a whirlpool and I started doing my treatments. The players kept calling me Oral Roberts. I put them in ice
After saving the quarterback from, what the training staff at the time thought was, a season-ending injury, Isrow began taping his teammate’s ankles in secret. “I would be taping these guys in a dummy shed, because I’m not supposed to be doing these things. The trainer was really a picky son-of-a-gun. He was too old! It took him 20 minutes to tape an ankle, and I could do 15 ankles in that time. So I was taping these guys. Mudra said, ‘How
said with a chuckle. Although the players were impressed by the amount of care and treatment that they were receiving from Izzy, there was still some convincing to do. “You’ve got to remember that we’re trying to prove to these football players that this training system is what we need and what we want. We go to play Idaho State, and we’re in practice…we don’t wear face masks or mouth guards, so Steve Irgens, our defensive end, gets
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BISON ILLUSTRATED
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TRADITION
nailed in the nose. I was going to set it and he said, ‘No! You’re we didn’t have a physician or any connection, but there was a woman medical doctor on Broadway, so I took him to her. ‘She said, ’Oh yeah that’s not broken, that’s dislocated.’ I just had to laugh. She said, ‘You just sit and relax,’ and moved his nose back into place. His eyes got real big and you could tell he was in pain. We’re walking back to the car and he said, ‘I don’t give a shit if I break my arm, you’re my doctor!’ He told all the
is not only important to talent and dedication as an athletic trainer, but also as a motivator and role model for student athletes and other staff. The mentality that Isrow has about hard work, loyalty and tradition is one of the most admired things about him. “The Marine’s are always faithful. What that means is that if you either have to take him with you, or you have to stay there and die with him. You can’t leave. And that’s the same thing I tried to get the players to understand. You put on the green and gold? You have to pay the price. You’re not going to quit.
be. This man has a way with words. “In the Omaha game, which goes back a few years ago, Omaha was undefeated, and we had two losses already. I gave a speech, but that’s not the important part. The important part is they got the information
“Well you know, he was over in the HNES Department when I came here. He was the head of the athletic training side of things. But, what I feel that he has done the most is he allowed us to be connected to some of the earlier guys involved with NDSU. The guys from the ’60’s. He’s really been a champion of keeping those guys and staying in touch with them, and getting them to stay connected with the athletic program. Some of them had begun to step away, some of them had felt that they were kind of forgotten a little bit, and Izzy did a great job of reconnecting us with them.” “You could almost call him the father of the athletic training program, which he is. I think that Scott [Woken] would probably echo that. I think our program is one of the best in the country. Izzy built that thing from the ground up and takes a lot of pride in it, as does Scott.” “Certainly that impact on our university has been huge.”
TRADITION
Izzy began working at NDSU
on the ground and tell me that you’re hurt bad, because if you’re really really hurt then you lay there, because our training staff is the best in the country… and that’s a proven fact. And when Lamar Gordon went down that time, he took a shot. When that guy hit him he went back and smacked his head on the ground. He rolled over, got on all fours and I watched him try to get up, and you can tell he’d been hit hard. He got up, because he wouldn’t lay there plays and went back in. He was hurt and took a hell of a shot again, so we pulled him out of players up, ‘Hey if he’s gonna not lay down, 52
BISON ILLUSTRATED
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then I’m not gonna.’ I made a statement to the team and said, ‘When it comes to the fourth quarter and we do this, Omaha will have their ‘We’ll have our heads up and we’ll run off
listen and lend a hand, Izzy made long-standing connections with numerous individuals and has changed many lives. Isrow would help players with everything from helping them get furniture to giving meaningful advice. As a loved and trusted mentor for so many
TRADITION
Scott Woken Director of sports medicine ning in er of athletic trai th fa e th ed er id was here e’s kind of cons NDSU in 1963, he at North Dakota. H re he ng ti ar that St Dakota. I’ve learned and at th ng the state of North hi yt er ev n rules, pretty much ck to Izzy. Certai ba es for a long time. So go s ay w lt al r trainers y are a direct resu da is th to we teach the othe ill st s when you es, certain policie ’s long standing at certain procedur th So . m hi arned from hletics, but pride at in e id pr ly of what we’ve le on not at we e instilled in us, and adamant th t en lig di think about it. H ry ve doing, and ng. He was very e in what you’re id in athletic traini pr ke ta u yo ning that act that way. Mea t’s d no options. Tha ha u yo … at th rtain u didn’t stray from us. To this day, ce ht ug ta thing for Izzy. Yo he ay w meaning as. That’s the e call “Izzy-isoms” w , just the way he w om ro ng ni us.” ai en in the tr he instilled it in w ho or , things that happ us ht of what he taug as a direct result
of the athletes and students that have come
I’m gonna ring your neck,’ Isrow said
tokens of appreciation. “We had gotten beat and all of a sudden two of the captains said, ‘would you come to the back of the bus?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ So I came back and they said, ‘We know you aren’t going to get a trophy this year and we know you ain’t gonna get a ring. But, we feel that you’ve done more
it. It is gold. They said, ‘We just want you to know that this is how much you mean to us.’ Now you can’t evaluate that. Sometimes my kids would say, ‘I only took one band-aid.’ I would say, ‘If you take a band-aid again,
When he wasn’t treating player’s injuries, inspiring athletes to earn greatness or building the foundation for many of the most well known and important traditions started Bison Pride. “I have to look at it just like the Marine Corp. Marine Corp pride is loyalty. That’s what I tell you…always faithful. You have to do what is required of you. You have to play the game and don’t worry about the other guy, because once you start you’re in trouble. If you listen to anyone on TV they always say it. If you start
worrying about the other guys then we’re all in trouble. You’ve got to pay and do what you’re supposed to do. You’ve got to be loyal to what you’re doing. That’s what it’s all about. You’ve got to come to practice. You’ve got to do your thing. You can’t be late. That’s all part of it. It’s not one little word. It’s not one little thing. The things that are important, as a statement, are ‘Once a Bison, Always a Bison.’ Tradition. We don’t have to talk about tradition. We know what it is. Maybe somebody can’t explain it, but
BISON ILLUSTRATED
N OV E M BE R 2 012
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SWANY SAYS
A MATURE FAN BASE BY JOSHUA A. SWANSON
Losing sucks. That’s the unvarnished truth, plain and simple. There are probably more eloquent ways to say it, but it doesn’t cut to the point with the bluntness it deserves. So let’s be blunt. Losing absolutely sucks. It doesn’t matter if it’s a football game, league night at bowling, a motion pending before a court or a word jumble. Okay, you can drop the occasional word jumble, but outside of that, there’s nothing pleasant about losing. Ever. I challenge you to find one successful person willing to tell you losing doesn’t grate at them like nails on a chalkboard. They might tactfully dance around the subject and talk about the important lessons to be gleaned from losing. I agree. There are valuable lessons to be learned from losing. Take New Coke for example. Or, more appropriately, don’t take New Coke. The lesson? Don’t drastically reinvent a proven formula for success without a very compelling reason. You won’t find one board member who recalls New Coke with a fondness reserved for fishing trips on a long-ago, sunny afternoon. “Yeah, New Coke, I remember that like the colonoscopy I had without being sedated.” True, Coke learned an important lesson and the backfire propelled it to even greater success. But that doesn’t mean Coke was thrilled at its loser product or the millions of wasted dollars on a product that was a loser of such epic proportions
it found its way into this obscure column as an example of learning from losing 27 years after the fact. Why? Competitors want to win, every time, without exception. This is especially true if you’re the defending national championship football team fresh off a 41-point drubbing of the then-no. 3 nationally ranked team in the country and a 5 – 0 start that had everyone chirping, this writer included, about a return trip to Frisco and gobbling up tickets to Texas in January faster than post presidential debate spin on Twitter. You don’t need me to tell you what happened the following week after the Youngstown State triumph. Indiana State knocked us off our pedestal and brought the party to a screeching halt. Wait, let me rephrase that, temporarily brought the party to a screeching halt. This party isn’t stopping until Texas in early January – but I’ll get to that in a minute. Our coaching staff, whether win or lose, often talks about our guys being a “mature football team.” These guys aren’t rattled easy. They have an uncanny poise and composure reserved for, well, champions. And rightfully so, we’re battle tested, team-oriented and have a singular focus on the task at hand. After a late October evening in South Dakota, the same can be said for the North Dakota State fan base. A week after an Indiana State game that, for many schools and fan
bases, would have been an excuse to stay home, the Herd turned out in record numbers in Sioux Falls. We literally invaded Howard Wood Stadium and the surrounding parking lots in a tour de force that only one school in the entire Football Championship Subdivision could orchestrate. Think about that. Nobody else does that! We outnumbered and embarrassed the “home” team in what was supposed to be a marque showcase in their own backyard! That was a living, breathing testament to “the strength of the Herd.” The University of South Dakota learned the hard way that we’ll roam wherever the heck we want, notwithstanding cute billboards up-and-down I-29. It was a de facto Bison home game. The reason? Like our team, we know and believe where this road leads. Which brings me full circle. I’m writing this column from deep in the heart of Texas. Houston to be precise. Ironically, perhaps, I’m at a conference where everyone wants to talk about our unbelievable natural resources in North Dakota. Come early January, Texas will be talking about another North Dakota tour de force. Our march remains undeterred, our road leads to a single destination - deep in the heart of Texas. Everyone up for the kickoff, the march is on! Josh Swanson writes columns and articles for BisonIllustrated.com and Bison Illustrated magazine. He enjoys reader feedback and can be reached via: swany@bisonillustrated.com.
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You need to start in your stance and then take a penetration step. You then need to lower your level and drive into their hips. Finally, your follow leg should come up.
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POP CULTURE
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POP QUIZ O
YOU’RE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, WHAT’S WHAT ONE ITEM WHAT’S YOUR YOUR BEST FAVORITE KIND DO YOU HOPE FIRST DATE YOU HAVE? OF COOKIE? ADVICE?
OTBALL JOHN CROCKETT
Peanut Butter Cell Phone
V OL
This sophomore running back has been a stand out for the Bison this year. Crockett received weekly honors this fall, following the UNI game where he had 122 yards and two touchdowns.
LE
YBALL
Snickerdoodle! ANDREA HENNING Henning, the Bison Volleyball Team’s libero, helped NDSU last season with 547 digs last season. She also had double
My cell phone that has an unlimited battery charge!
W
matches last year.
RE
STLING
MARK ERICKSON Erickson, a senior wrestler in
BA S
off last season going 2-2 at the NCAA West Regional and a
62
KE
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE WINTER IN FARGO?
Have me When it in your ear ENDS. helping you out.
Just be yourself and don’t fake your personality just to impress them, they will like you for who you really are! :)
When you walk down the sidewalks on campus, all the snow on the trees after a snowfall! It’s the best part of winter and picture perfect winter!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
My Bible!
Go do something. Sitting and talking can be done later.
Snow Days that cancel school!
Oatmeal Raisin.
Cell phone. I can’t be without it.
Don’t talk about yourself.
Sports indoors.
TBALL
BISON ILLUSTRATED
NATE ZASTROW Zastrow has been playing for the past three seasons, and has been a leader for his teammates on and off the court. Zastrow was also named to the Summit League Winter/Spring AllAcademic Team.
N OV E M BE R 2 012
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BISON ILLUSTRATED
opponents for his QB Brock Jensen.
offensive tackle is hard to miss. You’ve seen him make big hits for the Bison Football team since 2010. He is a vital part of the offensive line that led the Bison to success during the 2011 season. He may be rough and
Big Boy Billy Turner. The name
TURNER
BILLY
ATHLETE PROFILE
I want to work for some kind of sports organization. Maybe do some kind of advertising for a sports organization, something like that.
Is there any particular song that you like to listen to before
Not a specific song, but to be honest, I usually start my day off by listening to old school music like motown stuff. And then, right up before game time, I’ll start getting into some rock music and then rap music. I only listen to rap for about an hour before the game, but other than that I don’t listen to much. Just trying to get focused.
BT >>> BI >>> BT >>>
BISON ILLUSTRATED
BT >>>
BI >>>
BT >>>
I don’t know if any of the fans really know me. They know I’m loud and I’m crazy. Me and my roommate, Colton Heagle, have the same birthday. We became good friends freshman year. Other than that I love tattoos. I’ve probably had about 20 tattoo sessions.
There’s certain players at my position that I admire and I like, but the people I would say that I actually want to take after would be my father and my two brothers. The way that they carry themselves throughout their whole lives, and up to the point where they got to the highest levels of football, is something that makes me want to keep up the family tradition.
You’
BI >>>
BI >>>
Well, first of all, just the experience that he had at every single level of football. He’s given me good direction throughout my life, and when it comes to certain issues, certain things that I come upon in football. Through the recruiting process in high school, he gave me pointers and tips on things to look for.
BT >>>
BI >>>
ATHLETE PROFILE
66
BISON ILLUSTRATED
BI >>> BJ >>>
BJ >>>
BI >>>
BJ >>>
BI >>>
BI >>>
I usually have a banana before the game, but we usually have a pregame meal before the game.
No, not really. We don’t really talk about it. There’s been some bad matches for us. Two years ago when we beat them her senior season, we really didn’t want to talk about it, and this past two years year I really didn’t want to talk about it. But it’s not a bad competition, it’s fun to have it in the family. And now that she’s coaching it’s nice to see her and play against her team.
I mean there’s kind of two paths that I’m looking into. One is going to grad school, either at an art institute or a fashion design school. I’ve looked into a couple of places, but don’t know if I want to do that yet. Or I might just get into the business, get a job and just work my way up. From there I hope to get into product development or something along the lines. With my art degree I think that will help a lot.
JOKI
BRYNN
ATHLETE PROFILE
BJ >>>
BI >>>
BJ >>>
BI >>>
BJ >>>
BI >>>
BISON ILLUSTRATED
and she’
lead the Bison Volleyball team to another successful
Joki has been hitting hard as an outside hitter for
What could be more deadly than senior Bison
I think it ties in with the whole family being active as we grew up. My sister and I were always in the gym with my mom when she was coaching. My mom coaching high school volleyball was always a big part of it. We were always there watching her coach and watching the players play. We had that role model…wanting to be like them and play like them. Just having that athletic background helped a lot.
Over the years there’s been a few, the one that sticks out to me is Raisin Bran. I have no idea where it came from, but that one just really sticks out to me. A lot of the girls call me “B” just because it’s easier.
Listen to music. We’ve got the stereo system going on in the locker room. Just kind of focus in and mentally prepare.
Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography
ATHLETE PROFILE
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MAKE SOME NOISE
BENtSON BUNKE magine coming to work and being watched by 1,000 people. Kari Thompson wouldn’t have it any other way. “It gives you goosebumps”, NDSU volleyball coach Kari Thompson says. The Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse (BBF) has been hosting NDSU volleyball matches since 1978 and has quickly 70
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become the premier place to play in the Summit League. When one looks up “home court advantage” in the dictionary, a picture of the stately BBF stands there proudly. Coming into this season, since NDSU made the transition to Division I in 2006, the Bison’s home record is an astounding 49-8, for a win percentage of .860. If that weren’t good enough, the Bison’ home record during conference play is a dominant 33-2 (.943), including three straight seasons of unbeaten play (2007-2009).
“Coaches have begun to give their players pep talks about coming to and playing in the BBF”, Coach Thompson said. “Everyone is very much impressed that our fans take a lot of pride and care about volleyball here.” Coach Thompson remarked that a few years ago when Tulsa, a top 25 ranked team, came to play, they were “in awe” of the BBF. They’d be even more impressed now.
“
The BBF has undergone a number of improvements in the past few seasons including a new scoreboard, windows,
MAKE SOME NOISE
You can experience the atmosphere of the BBF by attending one of their games this month.
Nov. 9 vs. South Dakota State at 7 p.m. Summit League Championships Nov. 16: Semifinal #1 at 5 p.m. Nov. 16: Semifinal #2 at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17: Final at 7 p.m.
ER FIELD HOUSE Photo by Dennis Hoff
floor, bleachers, and sound system. Just ask Director of Women’s Athletics, Lynn Dorn. “The many facility improvements have impacted the atmosphere and I dare say, the BBF has become one of the best in Division I.” Dorn said. “Visiting coaches often comment about the uniqueness of having a dedicated volleyball venue and would love to have what NDSU has.” For fans and alumni who have attended NDSU volleyball matches for years, one of the most noticeable improvements has been removing the boards over the windows and replacing them. Donna Terbizan has
been the official scorekeeper during NDSU matches for almost 20 years, and loves the new windows. For many of those years she’s worked with Nancy Fisher, who operates the scoreboard. Fisher said the old windows “leaked like a sieve”, making the fieldhouse quite cold during the matches in the late fall.
the country, averaging more fans than USC, Ohio State, Michigan, Arizona, Notre Dame, Long Beach State, Kansas, and third-ranked Florida State. According to official figures from the NCAA through October 14th this year, NDSU is currently 40th in the country with average attendance of 1,039 fans.
The improvements in the BBF, along with the recent success of the team, has driven attendance. NDSU has lead the Summit league in attendance for years, and has been in the top 51 nationally at the Division I level, often outdrawing programs such as USC, LSU, Oregon State, Clemson, and many more. In 2009, NDSU was ranked 31st in
“When the Bison pep band, students and fans get rocking, they really do create a home court advantage”, Dorn says. Surrounded by 1,000 people with noise levels often above 100 decibels, Coach Thompson wouldn’t want to come to work anywhere else.
BISON ILLUSTRATED
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71
FEELING SMART?
TRIVIA TIME 10 QUESTIONS THAT WILL MAKE YOU GO, HUH?
1
Which NDSU Men’s Basketball p l ay e r m a d e t h e g a m e w i n n i n g jump shot against Oakland, in the 2009 Summit League championship game?
a. Brett Winkelman b. Ben Woodside c. Michael Tveidt
2 3
4
How many NDSU Wrestlers have c o m p e t e d at t h e W o r l d Games?
a. 5
True or False: The Bison D a n c e T e a m w o n a N at i o n a l Championship for their pom routine.
c. 2
5
K a s e y M o r l o c k p l ay e d f o r t h e Bison Women’s Basketball team from 1993 to 1997, and holds the record for how many career points?
6 7
Ken Johnson holds the NDSU record for the longest field goal, which h e k i c k e d at a g a m e v e r s u s SDSU in 1997. How far was t h i s f i e l d g o a l?
a. 55 yards b. 40 yards c. 45 yards
8
True or False: Head Wrestling Coach Roger K i s h g r a d u at e d f r o m t h e University of Iowa.
L a m a r G o r d o n p l ay e d football for the Bison from 1998-2001, and has t h e m o s t r u s h i n g ya r d s i n Bison history with:
True or False: The largest home crowd the women’s basketball team has seen was in 1996 with 7 , 5 4 3 f a n s i n at t e n d a n c e .
9 10
Tay l o r B r a u n l e d t h e men’s basketball team with how many points last season?
The Bison Sports Arena has been the site for how many Division II wrestling championships?
a. 5 c. 4
Answers: 1.b 2.True 3.c 4.b 5. A 6. false - University of Minnesota 7. c 8. True 9. b 10.a
Answers: 1. Opposing player’s sock color 2. Far right orange yard marker vanished 3. Bison player’s left arm band vanished 4. Man in crowd has a new tie 5. One cheerleader switched pom-poms 6. Man in green shirt lost press pass
SPOT THE SIX DIFFERENCES
72
BISON ILLUSTRATED
N OV E M BE R 2 012
REGISTER TO WIN!
This month’s giveaway is a football gameday package of goodies from D-S Beverages and Bud Light. To register for this month’s giveaway, Send your info to: Fun@bisonillustrated.com (subject “giveaway”) or Bison Illustrated Giveaway 502 1st Ave N. Suite 100 Fargo, ND 58102
PRIZE
BUD LIGHT FOOTBALL MIRROR
Name
Phone
Email D.O.B.
*Must Be 21 to enter. This Giveaway Ends November 20th 2012. One (1) name will be drawn randomly on December 10th 2012. A representative will contact the winner with details.