nolan@spotlightmediafargo.com
FROM THE EDITOR
be the best
I
FROM NOLAN P. SCHMIDT
If you're reading this, you're either a student reading it in your classroom or a parent reading it with their child. We're privileged to bring this issue across the state of North Dakota thanks to NDSU Athletics and NDSU Extension and I hope we can reach as many kids with this as possible. We hope it's a fun and interactive way to educate young kids about what it takes to be a Bison.
was either playing sports or watching them. Even my everyday hobbies revolved around sports (my mega sports card collection in mom's garage can confirm this). I grew up under the impression that I would play sports forever. In fact, I recall frequently putting "NBA player" on the classic "What do you want to be when you grow up?" question in grade school.
In that, I believe we are teaching kids how to be the best in everything they do, not just sports. While North Dakota State has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success on the field, all of the programs and athletes found in this issue are just as successful in other aspects of their life as well.
Did I get there? Obviously not. Yet, I am still doing something I love that involves sports and I try to be the best I can be at it. For some of you kids reading this, sports may not be your biggest passion. The important thing to take away from this magazine is that these "traits to become a Bison" translate to anything, not just sports.
I grew up a massive sports fan. When I was a kid, I
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BISON ILLUSTRATED j a n u a r y 2 0 2 0
Sure, you have to work hard to become a great football or basketball player. You also have to work hard to become a great artist or teacher and everything in between. The "traits" spoken of in this issue will help you become successful in anything you're interested in. Parents, if you're reading this and are left with just sports on your mind, I didn't do my job properly. Sports are simply a platform and a helpful metaphor to teach kids valuable life lessons and values. I don't have kids myself and I'm not telling you how to parent, but these "traits" are great learning points for your children. Kids, if you're reading this in class or at home and it makes you want to become the next Trey Lance or Kelby Anderson, that's
amazing. However, you may be thinking "why sports?" or you may not even like sports. The message here goes beyond sports and it's quite simple: Be the best you can be, always. If you love sports, be the best at it. If you love art, be the best at it. If you love science or math or English or history, be the best at it. Hopefully, this magazine helps you become the best, in sports or otherwise...