July Maverick Champions Newsletter
Welcome to the new Maverick Champions monthly newsletter!
For many of us, it has been awhile since we have been connected to Maverick Football, maybe since that last time you walked off the field. The Minnesota State University, Mankato Touchdown Club, with the help of the Minnesota State Mankato Foundation, is launching a Maverick Football Alumni Connection Campaign. The primary goal of this campaign is to strengthen the relationship of past alumni to the future of Maverick Football. In this publication each month, you will find the following: “What’s new with Maverick Football” – summary of all things Maverick football “From the Coach” – update from Coach Hoffner on the current state of the team “Maverick Memories” – stories and pictures from alumni about their experience as a Maverick – we want to hear from you!! “Where are they Now?” – updates from alumni on family, place of residence, occupation, etc – we want to hear from you!! “Upcoming Events” – information on upcoming events including games, alumni gatherings, golf tournament, Pigskin BBQ and more! We have continued to build on the legacy all of you have created in the past 60 years. We want YOU to be a part of our future! We have a proud history of Maverick football including 60 All-Americans, 40 Professional Players, 9 conference championships, 11 post season appearances, and a National Runner Up in 2014. As a part of our Maverick Football Alumni Connection Campaign, many of your stepped up to become Maverick Champions, alumni providing leadership in assisting us in connecting with alumni from their playing time. A special thanks to all of you that have made this commitment - Dan Rotchadl, John Behrends, Gerry Bodelson, Sam Brockshus, Chris Tatro, Adrian Chapman, Kreg Kapitan, Gary Sundburg, Justin Otto, Scott Annexstad, Dan Harke, Ryan Fick, Patrick Schmidt, Dave Juskelis If you are interested in getting involved send a quick email to Coach Hoffner at todd.hoffner@mnsu.edu. We look forward to seeing you at a game this Fall!
From the Coach
It has been and continues to be a very busy summer for the coaching staff. Summer camps have been fun with our staff completing 13 of 18 days of football camps. We are also finishing up some eleventh hour recruiting and filling a couple coaching positions with the departure of Bryan Schmid and Byron Thomas. We appreciate all their work and wish them the best in their future endeavors. The MSU TD Club Golf Classic was a little wet, but that didn’t stop the 26 alumni, civic leaders and golfers from patronizing our event. There were 128 golfers, 40 hole sponsors and numerous silent auction items. Summer training is in full swing with our Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Tom Inkrott leading the charge. We have less than 6 weeks before we assemble the 2018 team and their quest to win a championship. Todd Hoffner Head Football Coach Minnesota State "Home of the Mavericks" 507-389-1339 todd.hoffner@mnsu.edu
We are looking forward to the start of Fall Camp on August 5, 2018. It ’s A Great Day to be A Maverick! - Todd Hoffner
Maverick Memories
stories from fellow alumni
Told by JUSTIN OTTO My favorite memory in college was playing in the National Championship in 2014. It was such an eye opening experience that made the years of morning work-outs, study tables, spring ball practices in the sleet and snow, and hours of extra film study all worth it. To be in that environment and realizing we were a top 2 team in the country was an unbelievable experience and something I will never forget. I also remember when Adam Thielen was training for tryouts with the Vikings and Panthers and having his buddy training him at the same time we were working out – not some agency or high profile personal trainer. Then after the workout going to run routes with gym shoes on a less than ideal gym surface in Myers Field house. It’s crazy to think that him and Chris Reed came from the same program, and truly proves that the level we were playing at was a very high one and that the program we all dedicated so much to was so special.
Overall the most memorable moments were actually those off the field. Our team was so close and our saying almost every time we broke from meetings, practice, film etc… was always brotherhood. It really was a brotherhood and I believe that translated to on the field success because everyone didn’t want to let their brothers down and our commitment to the team was unlike any other sports team I had ever been a part of. From people goofing off in the locker room, to singing Macy Gray together in the showers, I enjoyed every moment and made so many memories. The last moment and probably most memorable experience was the St. Cloud game, season and home opener of 2015. I will never forget Isaac Kolstad walking us out onto the field holding the hammer up. That moment was so special to our whole team seeing how far he was able to come and the support he had from our school, coaching staff, and of course teammates and fans was one of the most emotional and memorable moments of my life. GO MAVS!
Told by KREG KAPITAN Fall 1970-Mankato State Indians get a new Head Coach-John Coatta, a former QB @ Wisconsin in his playing days.(Lead the Big 10 in passing) Our opening game was scheduled against Hillsdale Michigan, ranked # 1 in the country!! Friday night, the night before our opening game, New Coach Coatta brings whole team downtown Mankato to see the movie “Patton”! After the movie we all went back to the “EE”Bldg,(English Education Building-1 of 4 building on upper campus, including the student union.) and met in one of the rooms for a talk from Coach Coatta. It was about trusting the guy in the foxhole with you and playing as a team etc. Game results…Mankato State 17, Hillsdale Michigan 3!! Hillsdale got across the 50 yard line once during the game and their kicker hit a 47 yard field for their 3 points….His name-CHESTER MARCOL-Green Bay Packers. P.S. Hillsdale’s record that year…10-1
Told by KREG KAPITAN A 2nd great story from 1970(and you can use this in your second addition if you like. Out team is 7-2 and being consider for an invitation to the “Mineral Bowl” at the end of the season. In 1969 & 1970, Mankato played an “independent “ schedule moving from the NIC (Northern Intercollegiate Conference) into the NCC(North Central Conference) and our 2 losses were to NDSU &UND. We beat University of South Dakota with their head coach Joe Salem!! Anyway,, back to our 10th game, a trip to Adams State in Colorado with air about a mile high or more!! In the 4th Quarter, the game was tied 17-17 with about a little more than a minute to play. Headed by QB John Marx (Horicon, Wisc.), tight end, twin brother Jim Marx, Wally Malmstrom, RB Bernie Mcuzuga and WR Kreg Kapitan, the Indians went right down the field to the 10 yard line of the Grizzlies. With approximately less than 10 seconds to go in the game, the Indians called on Freshman Herb Healy, a square footed, straight on “Fred Cox” type of kicker. An easy chip shot for the win!...Not to be….he hooked it left as John Marx, the holder, throws the kicking tee out of the stadium!! Now with 3 seconds to go in the game, and the ball on the 20 yard line, Adams State throws a swing pass to their half back and he runs 75 yards all the way down the field untouched(even though being chased by Spike Wellman) and he SPIKES THE BALL, on the 5 yard line! Wellman jumps on the ball and the game ends in a 17-17 tie!! The former NFL running back….LAWRENCE MCCUTCHEON, Los Angeles Rams!!! Hind note from the game, it was stated that the grounds crew that was on the far end of the field when Mankato was kicking their field goal, was picking up the pylons/flags from the end zone and goal lines and one of the workers had dropped one of the flags on the 5 yard line and that is why Lawrence spikes the ball on the 5 yard line, thinking he had just crossed the goal line. Season record 7-2-1.
Alumni News
Where Are They Now? Kreg Kapitan-1967-1970.Worked for Harmon Glass for 20 years as part of a 7 member National Sales & Marketing Team as National Director -Non-Insurance/Fleet business segment. Currently, President, Claimsource Inc. We reside in Brooklyn Park on the third hole @ Edinburgh USA golf course.(My game was real good at one time(5), but has gone South real fast lately!(??) I have been married to Kathleen for 38 years(Kapitan IT Consulting) and have three wonderful daughters, Kylynn-35-RN, Kendall-33-works for Medtronic & just received her Masters degree from St. Thomas this Spring in International Sales & Marketing. Kari-32-Medtronic. We have three wonderful Grand Children, Konnor 16-Sophomore @ Champlin Park-Hockey & Lacrosse, Kristian-8th grade-Hockey & Lacrosse and Kieran-18 months old! We purchased a cabin on Woman Lake in Hackensack, Mn. about 5 years ago which Grampa doesn’t get to enough!! Many Lacrosse and Hockey games, including summer camps for both!! Can’t wait to see and talk withhold team mates from almost 50 years ago, this Fall at our Outing!! Gary Sundberg - After graduation I spent 10 years on active duty as a Naval flight Officer flying in a P-3 Orion. I also qualified as an Officer of the Deck (OOD) on the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga. I spent an additional 12 years in the reserves so am a retired Vet. After the navy I worked 6 years for Tracor Applied Sciences in the Philadelphia area. We moved to Colorado in 1984 where I took an engineering job with then Martin Marietta, now Lockheed Martin. I have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren; all living in Colorado. I still ski a lot and volunteer for the Jefferson County Open Space as a Park Patroller (we perform “ranger services”).
Sam Brockshus - (MSU 2014), Structural Engineer at ISG in Mankato. Lives in North Mankato with his wife, Megan (MSU 2014), and 5 month old son, Lincoln.
Adrian Chapman - 2009, Manager of Recruiting for Engaged Companies, Founder of Wildfyre.us, living in Parkville, Missouri, married to Sami Chapman, daughter joining us September 2018.
We Want to Hear from You! We would enjoy hearing from you!! What is your favorite memory of your days as a Maverick Football player? Share a picture too! Send in to greg.weis@mnsu.edu and we will share you memory and picture in a future edition of the Maverick Champion newsletter.
We would love to hear from you! Tell us about your current place of residence, occupation, family, kids, etc.
Alumni Gathering Dates
Upcoming Events Make your plans now for your alumni gathering at a Maverick home game in Fall 2018! At each home game, we will provide a gathering of your era of Maverick football alumni. Each Saturday home game will include a ticket for the game for you and family members, meeting with the current Maverick football team and coaches, tour of campus, post-game alumni gathering, Touchdown Tent access, and halftime recognition. We will be providing more details in the July newsletter but mark your calendar today and reach out to your fellow alumni to plan on attending this can’t miss day!
Pre 1970
September 15
1971 - 1980
September 29
1981 - 1990
October 13
1991 - 2000
November 3
2001 - 2017
November 10
It’s a Great Day to be a Maverick!