Bison Illustrated November 2014

Changing of the Guard | Missouri Valley | Harvest Bowl | Behind the Scenes

MATT LARSEN ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

clear vision for the NDSU tradition

November ‘14

FOOTBALL EVERY GAME. ALL SEASON

THANK YOU to all NDSU fans for making B-DUBS your Bison Headquarters to watch all of the games.

Let’s Continue the Tradition! GO BISON!

CONTENTS

NOVEMBER 2014 | VOLUME 9 ISSUE 4 Bison Illustrated is a free publication distributed monthly (10 times a year).

Our mission is to help promote North Dakota State University Athletics, provide a quality and fun reading experience and to improve the way of life in our community. The publication is mailed to homes across the US and has newsstand distribution throughout North Dakota and Minnesota.

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PUBLISHER

Spotlight Media

PRESIDENT

Mike Dragosavich

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER EDITORIAL DIRECTOR EDITOR

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Matt Larsen sits down with us to talk about his past at Stony Brook and the lessons he has learned along the way to keep NDSU Athletics a top-notch institution.

CONTRIBUTORS

Josh Swanson, Joe Kerlin, Steve Walker, Paul Bougie, Cody Bickler

COPY EDITORS

MARKETING/SALES

BEHIND THE SCENES

HARVEST BOWL

We followed around five individuals who are at the center of making Bison football games the place to be every Saturday.

Alumni and current and former student-atheltes chat with us about what agriculture and scholarships mean to NDSU.

BISON PRIDE

20 SHAC Update 72 Where Are They Now 82 Eric Henderson 86 Valley of FCS Kings 92 Defensive Backs 96 Erin Teschuk 99 Trent Baalke 10

102 Unlikely Matchup 106 Gift of Grace 108 Highlights from the West Lot MORE info@spotlightmediafargo.com bisonillustrated.com @bisonmag facebook.com/bisonillustrated

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Erica Rapp, Cody Bickler, Gigi Wo od, Lisa Marchand Brent Tehven Craig Holmquist Tracy Nicholson, Paul Hoefer, Paul Bougie, Alicia Stuvland

SOCIAL MEDIA

Kristen Killoran

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Codey Bernier

PHOTOGRAPHY

J. Alan Paul Photography, NDSU Athletics, Joseph Ravits, Andrew Jason

ADMINISTRATION

Heather Hemingway

SPECIAL THANKS

Jeff Schwartz, Ryan Perreault, Wes Offerman, Ryan Anderson and Colle en Heimstead

WEB DEVELOPER

Nick Schommer

DELIVERY

AT A GLANCE

Joe Kerlin Sarah Geiger, George Stack

SALES MANAGER

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Andrew Jason

DESIGN/LAYOUT

GENERAL MANAGER

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Paul Bougie

Chris Larson, George Stack, Peyton Berger, Hal Ecker

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Bison Illustrated is published monthly by Spotlight Media LLC. Print quantity exceeds 40,000 per issue. Printed in the U.S.A. Bison Illustrated does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented. Bison Illustrated assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Bison Illustrated is NOT an official publication of North Dakota State University.

Send change of address information and other correspondence to: Spotlight Media LLC. 502 1st Ave N. First Floor Fargo ND, 58102 or info@spotlightmediafargo.com

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Mike Dragosavich drago@spotlightmediafargo.com

BISON MONTH

Don’t you love all the excitement around NDSU? We have been working hard at Bison Illustrated to try and get this magazine all over the state and downloaded on your smart phones or tablets. Go to bisonillustratedapp.com to download and read the magazine anywhere in the world!

In this past month, I have had a chance to partake in multiple unique experiences within Bison Nation. Here is my list.

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1 I was able to experience backstage access to ESPN College GameDay.

I met Trent Baalke, the General Manager of the 49ers.

3 I watched my former teammate and 49ers safety Craig Dahl play a game at the new 49ers Stadium.

4 I attended the NDSU Bidders Bowl and watched my donation (Panoramic GameDay Canvas Print) sell for $990!

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6

I opened a kiosk in West Acres Mall for One Herd.

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I caught up with over 10 former Bison teammates on Homecoming weekend! Mike Maresh brought one heck of a tailgating rig.

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7 We finalized our floor plan for the new Herd & Horns Sports Bar and Grill and get to start construction soon! (The photo is of the building where the restaurant is going to be.)

EDITOR’S NOTE

In Larsen We Trust

Meet Todd

FROM THE EDITOR There’s always some sort of speculation and mystery surrounding a new hire who comes from outside the Bison program. But I think the search committee has struck gold with its latest decision to pluck one of Stony Brook’s finest out of Long Island, N.Y.

Joe Kerlin Editor, Bison Illustrated

Thank you to my good friend Todd, who stopped by our office this month to help us in the creation of the November Bison Illustrated. You will never meet a bigger Bison fan.

Todd has been to all three football championship games in Frisco and last year, he had the opportunity to meet some of his favorite players after the game.

CONTACT ME

S

peaking with Larsen’s former colleagues in Long Island confirmed my belief that a great future is ahead for Bison athletics.

Executive Associate Director of Athletics Donna Woodruff worked with Larsen for 10 years at Stony Brook. She described him as “so sincere, so real and so genuine” with all that Larsen did during his time at Stony Brook.

Larsen was a part of numerous multi-million dollar facility upgrades, full scholarship allotments for men’s and women’s programs and stabilization of the program after the removal of a shoddy athletic director.

The transparency Larsen will provide reassures that even though they lost a good one in Gene Taylor, NDSU has found a man that will be just as effective in Taylor’s shoes.

Two things can make and break an AD’s job: hiring and fundraising.

“Division I athletics is a university initiative because, in a lot of cases, it’s the front porch of the university,” Larsen said. “It takes a village to raise an athletic program.”

joe@bisonillustrated.com

@bisonmag

facebook.com/bisonillustrated

@j_kerlin

With a village that’s been in place for years, Larsen’s focus will be continuing the positive momentum Taylor generated during his last handful of years.

A football program that hasn’t missed a beat, a new basketball facility that is coming to life and an NDSU Team Makers program that’s coming off a year where it generated $3 million for student-athlete scholarships, will all help in the never-ending search for more contribution dollars for the athletic department.

“My job here is to work with President Bresciani for what is the future for Bison athletics and what’s the best way to get there (and) what’s the best development plan to get there,” Larsen said.

“And with that comes the funding model.”

I wouldn’t want anyone else writing the blueprint for the model.

With a culture of teamwork and success, the opportunities are endless for Larsen’s tenure to be the most important years in the history of Bison athletics.

Go Bison,

Joe Kerlin

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Todd met: • Brock Jensen • Sam Ojuri • Michael Murphy • John Crockett • Colten Heagle

How The Machine Works FROM paul bougie CONTACT ME

701-478-7768 paulbougie@spotlightmediafargo.com

I

t is time for a tip of the hat, a standing ovation and a full stadium wave.

We have all been discussing in one way or another the guy who went to Iowa, and the new guy from New York (whose picture is on the cover). But I want to give a huge shout out to the NDSU Athletics machine.

I will not use those guys’ names; this is a thank you to the staff at NDSU Athletics.

How the world over the years has changed — move to D-1, new facilities, new coaches — all this craziness! However, NDSU never lost a beat, the machine just kept moving. As we sat at a game, everything was just as it should be, pyrotechnics went off, videos ran on the boards, all student athletes performed at the top of their game. All this happened for one reason: the entire staff at NDSU Athletics.

Sure, behind the curtain there might have been some concern, but to us, we didn’t know. We as fans received the same top quality product that we have come to, sometimes, take for granted. Believe me, I would love to take this whole magazine and feature each and every one of the staff. However, that’s not the athletic department’s style.

So I ask you all a favor: give a shake of the hand, pat on the back or even a hug and really thank them for what they do.

These are the people who get to work early and work late ‘til the job is done. In closing, all I can do is steal a line from the old Budweiser ads (enter dramatic pause), “We salute you, NDSU Athletics staff,” (now sing it back). Without you, nothing would get done.

Paul Bougie

A veteran tailgator like Bougie always has something good cooking.

TEAM

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MEET THE TEAM We are Spotlight Media.

Every month, Spotlight Media brings you Stride, Fargo Monthly, Bison Illustrated and Design and Living Magazine.

Here are the people behind these magazines.

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BISON

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FUN

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BISON SHOTS Colten Heagle is shown bumping fists with the Junior Bison Kid of the Game after the coin flip during the Bison homecoming victory against Southern Illinois. Before every Bison football game, one lucky Junior Bison Club member has the opportunity to sprint onto the field with Thundar to present the game ball to the head official. Want to be the next kid bumping fists with a Bison football player?

Join the Junior Bison Club today. Sign-up is easy. Go online and fill out the registration form. For only $25 a year, Junior Bison Club members receive free admission to women’s basketball, wrestling, volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball and select men’s basketball games. In addition to a newsletter and invitations to special events, members receive free Bison swag.

Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography

WANT MORE

?

Check out the Bison Illustrated App! Available for Android, Amazon, and Apple devices.

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SHAC

UPDATE

With the west walls nearly enclosed, the SHAC is starting to take its shape. Darren Kruse and his crew of 70 are working sun up to sun down to complete the roof before the snow begins to fall.

HEAT

The Construction Continues The Sanford Health Athletic Complex has changed quite a bit since we showed you the progress last month. Step inside the SHAC with us and construction manager Darren Kruse to see how far along the construction crew has come.

By Joe Kerlin Photos by Andrew Jason

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All throughout the campus, pipes snake through the soil underground, linking together to heat the entire campus. Two lines of piping run side by side. The bigger line holds the steam that enters the building as a gas for heat and the smaller line is the condensate line that is pumping the liquid out of the building before returning again as steam. “Overall, it’s a pretty efficient means of heating,” Kruse said. “They already had the infrastructure in place so might as well use it.”

SHAC

UPDATE

PRACTICE COURT

The opening you see in this photo won’t be there much longer. For now, Kruse and his crew have left it open so they can bring the crane into the practice court to set the precast for the roof. Kruse hopes to enclose the practice court before winter hits, but with the weather cooperating, he is confident the steel joints and precast will be set before too much snow is on the ground.

After a brief delay from the steel distributor, most of the steel is at the construction site. Kruse said he hopes to start placing the joints inside the gym in two to two and half weeks. Right now, these joints are being placed above the entrance. The steel joints come in twos and together each weighs about 10,000 pounds. This process should take three to four weeks to complete.

ROOFTOP

STAIRCASE

This is the view from the lobby when looking southwest towards the practice facility. Attached to the crane is a plank of precast that will be placed over the entrance, right over the photographer’s head. The precast will vary in length because of the curved rooftop over the entrance. The longer planks weigh anywhere from 12,000-13,000 pounds. Once all the precast planks are set, the crew will grout them together and then pour a threeinch layer of concrete on top.

The base on the east side is nearly complete. This is a photo of the stairwell that will lead up to the concourse on the southeast corner of the building. Right now, there are nearly 70 workers on the site in various groups working on each part of the building. Kruse hopes that number will double during the winter.

COMING UP

Check back next month to find out the news about the SHAC construction that is expected to be complete in October 2016.

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MATT LARSEN

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CHANGING OF THE GUARD Matt Larsen

Matt Larsen worked in athletic

administration well before he received both his bachelor and master degrees from Stony Brook University. He’s a former biology enthusiast that has committed himself to propelling mid-major programs to the top.

His resume is impressive. His passion is transparent. We sat down with the new North Dakota State athletic director and got a great sense of where the Bison ship is sailing and what kind of man NDSU will look to for leadership through an ever-changing college athletic landscape.

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MATT LARSEN

Q A

Q&A Q A

Q A

What went into your decision to go to Stony Brook after high school?

“The summer before my senior year, I was in a bad car accident and had to do all this physical therapy and that kind of stuff. And I was always into sciences like biology and stuff, so I wanted to be a physical therapist at the time.

Stony Brook had a really good physical therapy school, which they still do.

That was originally the plan, and I also wanted the opportunity to play football.

They recruited me at the same time, too, so it was the perfect marriage with the career I wanted to get into, or at least the career I thought I wanted to get into, and the ability to play football. And it was a good academic school.”

So then what caused you to go into college athletic administration?

“Two years in, I started working in the athletic department doing student worker things, helping at events and working in the building a little bit and

doing facility type stuff. … I saw it from the player perspective, being on the team. But I think a lot of the times the players don’t see the behind-thescenes stuff. They come out and the bus is there, they show up and the food is ready for them. Sometimes you don’t have the appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes, so I got a chance as a student athlete to see the behind-the-scenes stuff and it was something I could see myself doing. … I got to coach football and I also worked in the facility office and that was good for two reasons. One, it convinced me that I didn’t want to coach. It takes a special person to want to coach and it was something I didn’t want to do. I was passionate about the administration aspect of it; being able to have a positive impact on student athletes' lives and college athletics is certainly something I’m passionate about. I ended up going in that direction and abandoning the physical therapy dream.”

Q A

Stony Brook didn’t have scholarships for football players until 2006; what went into the development of getting the football players on scholarship?

“That was an exciting time. Especially being a football-alum at Stony Brook and being able to elevate the program was really important for me. … For us, we had this great facility and our conference wasn’t really representative of us and of the academic institution that we were. … What it did was, we put together a plan working with the president to go scholarship football, but it also helped out our women’s programs, too. Because of gender equity and Title IX, we were able to fund these programs, which over the course of time has benefited these programs, when you look at the number of championships our women’s programs have won over the course of the years. It really lifted our entire athletic program, and for me that was the first strategic plan I was involved in. To now see the results and the things we have accomplished with that, it all started when we invested in football because we think it can raise everything else up, and that’s what we ended up seeing.”

We spoke with Stony Brook football coach Chuck Priore last week and he had some great things to say about you. You hired him, right?

“Chuck is the best. I was the chair of that search committee. He’s a perfect example of not being wooed by the resume, so to speak. I say that because he spent a lot of years at the University of Penn, in the Ivy League and they had a very successful run, a bunch of undefeated seasons, won the Ivy League a ton of times. He wanted an opportunity to be a head coach and

Matt Larsen interview continued on next page 26

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Head Coach

MATT LARSEN

Chuck Priore sounds off • Hired by a Matt Larsen led search committee in December 2005 • 55-44 in his ninth season at Stony Brook

he also had young kids at the time. So he took the Trinity College job and he basically turned that into a dynasty.

To me, I don’t care what level you’re at — high school, junior high, Division III, Division II, FBS or FCS — if you’re a good coach, you’re a good coach. I think that’s what we found in him as a Division II coach to come be our head coach at Stony Brook and we’ve had a lot of great success. To me, if you’re a winner, you’re a winner. It doesn’t matter the location and all those things.

It’s about your integrity, philosophy, the things you believe in, your character, and we found a good one in Chuck.”

Q A

Q A

The first thing Larsen asked President Bresciani after he was hired was if he could bring his wife, Kristen, and their three children Emily, Matthew and Rylee to the press conference.

Photo By Joseph Ravits

packing an extra jacket (laughs). …

What I’ve seen and what my family has seen is a great community with great people that care about the program and a place where we can see raising our children. So to me, location is about asking yourself if you can build a home here with a family and that’s the most important thing.”

How has your relationship developed with the football coach?

“This is the kind of person he is. Stony Brook played at Towson a couple weeks ago and they won, and that was the first game home or away I haven’t been to in probably 10-plus years. … I went out to practice on Monday and he asked if I was all set when I get out to Fargo.

And I said, ‘Yeah I have a one-bedroom apartment totally furnished, but I don’t have a TV. As soon as I get out there I have to buy a TV.’ Wouldn’t you know it, that night my wife and I are sitting on the couch and I get an email from Best Buy saying that there’s a gift for you from Charles Priore out at the Fargo, N.D. Best Buy. He bought me a TV and it just speaks to a quality individual, loyal to his kids and to his staff, and I told him, ‘The thing I’m going to miss most about Stony Brook is working with the football program.’”

Long Island to Fargo is a big move.

What’s some of the reactions you’ve had so far from your former colleagues at Stony Brook?

“I told Prakash (Mathew) yesterday if I had a dollar from everybody that has said to me some comment about

Q A

Gene Taylor was a big proponent in having great continuity in the athletic department staff.

How do you build that sense of togetherness?

“I’ll live and die by this: your culture begins and ends with the people. It just does. Sometimes you have people that have worked together for a long time and the culture just stinks and sometimes you have people that have worked together for years and it’s a positive culture and everyone is supportive. It all starts with the people when you go through the hiring process, and that’s the most important thing we’ll do here. Hiring the right people to be here. I think if you articulate a clear vision and everybody understands and buys into the vision, then everybody is working towards

Was Larsen able to help your transition to the program because he was a former player and coach?

“I think the important part of that from the administrational perspective is that he understands not just football, he understands the coaching side of it as well as the administrative side of it. ... And an administrator is when you have been in the trenches either as a player or a coach; you can appreciate what your coaches go through on a day-to-day basis and the support they need.

And the support the student-athletes need.”

Was Matt hands-on with the football program or did he just let you run the show?

“He’s hands-on in the right way. He’s involved for the correct reasons. He’s certainly allows you to do your job and he certainly wants to provide his support, but he also wants to be able to be involved in the respect of, ‘How do I help you? How can I help you fix the problem?’ In the course of the last four or five years, you know, I think Stony Brook specifically took a great growth spurt by making the playoffs and having an FBS win and getting on the map, and I think Matt is directly responsible for that because he was able to provide us with leadership and also provide us with help in the way to help the program be better.”

Did you know he was applying for the job at NDSU? “I think I knew even before he sent his resume in. I have that relationship with him. He has the respect for everybody he works with and works for. He’s going to make sure who he is, what he’s about; he’s going to be transparent.”

Why do you think NDSU liked him so much?

“The No. 1 reason is he is a regular guy. He’s a guy you want to take home with you, a guy you want to go to dinner with, he’s a guy you want your student-athletes to be around, he’s a guy that people on campus are going to like. He’s a regular person. He does not have an ego.”

Photo Courtesy of Steve McLaughlin

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MATT LARSEN

Donna Woodruff sounds off • Hired by Stony Brook in April 2004 • Served as interim athletic director from November 2013 to June 2014

What has been the reaction for the people at Stony Brook about Matt’s departure?

“You hate to use the term bittersweet with Matt’s departure. You’ll miss him, but you know he is going to do an awesome job, no question about that. But on the flip side, he’s been here for so many years and is such an intricate part of Stony Brook athletics, both as a student-athlete and as an employee. You’re just flat-out going to miss him.”

Larsen enters his job at NDSU with one coaching vacancy available. He was the chair of several coaching searches at Stony Brook including men’s and women’s lacrosse, and men’s soccer.

Photo By Joseph Ravits the same common goal. When everybody does that, people work better, everybody gets along and that’s the ultimate goal here. And I think that they’ve (NDSU) been able to do that. They’ve been able to retain some good people, they’ve had success and I think people, from what I understand, enjoy working together.

You want to come to work every day and enjoy what you’re doing.”

Q

How do you approach budgetary challenges to improve the athletic department’s revenue?

A

“I was actually just talking with Pat Simmers this morning. I think if you’re Ohio State, if you’re Stony Brook or if you’re North Dakota State, whoever you are, everybody has financial challenges because everybody wants to do more and continue to build and get better, and having the ability to give your coaching staff and student-athletes more resources to do better. … I see it as opportunity.

Some places would kill to have the external support North Dakota State has. There isn’t a lot of FCS schools that are generating the amount of money for scholarships that Team Makers do and what our development folks are raising. … You have a good start and part of

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my job here is to work with President Bresciani for what is the future for Bison athletics and what the best way is to get there. … As I said in my interview, Division I athletics is a university initiative because in a lot of cases it’s the front porch of the university. It takes a village to raise an athletic program. But I think we’re all understanding that the university can’t divert a lot of funding to athletics and it has to be a partnership and that’s what we need to do.”

Q A

What kind of legacy do you want to leave at NDSU? “I would like them to think we maintained the tradition because there’s a strong and long tradition here and that we did it the right way. I think there’s a history of NDSU doing it the right way, bringing in the right student-athletes to represent the university that are going to get their degree. … If I can leave here and maintain the program, if I were to leave 10, 20, 30 years from now, if all those things are true, then we have a lot of success. And not just winning championships but graduating kids and they’re coming back and continue to build up the Team Makers who are involved in our program.”

Are you surprised he lasted at Stony Brook for as long as he did?

“I think we were so entrenched with building here and doing great things here that he’s not the type — and we’ve talked about this a lot — to just look at an athletic director job or another job just because. It truly was going to have to be the right job at the right place, at the right time. I’m only surprised that someone else didn’t come looking for him.”

What is Matt like as a person? Coach Chuck Priore said he’s a guys guy.

“I don’t know anyone who has met him — whether it’s personally or professionally — that would leave a conversation with him or an interaction with him and not think that ‘Hey, this is a good person.’ The way he carries himself, the way he presents his thoughts, the way he handles issues, the way he deals with people, in good situation and bad situations, he feels very much that this person comes from the right place. Integrity, class, all of that. He mentioned when we had a little going away party for him that one thing that has always stood out to me — and this is a personal thing — my family is very important to me and every time they have visited here, they have made comments about what great people you work with, but in particular: ‘Wow, Matt is a great person.’

And this is my family that visits from three and a half hours away, but they get that sense right off the bat.”

Photo Courtesy of Bob O’Rourk

By Joe Kerlin Photos By J. Alan Paul Photography and Joe Kerlin

BISON FOOTBALL WEEK

Behind the Scenes 32

The Bison locker room stands still Friday Night before the Homecoming football game earlier this fall. As the Bison prepare its strategy against Southern Illinois, the men behind the scenes have already put their game plan into motion to ensure Bison football can be enjoyed at the highest degree. Starting Monday and finishing hours after the last whistle, Ryan Perreault, Justin Swanson, Ryan Nelson and Brian Gordon play an intricate role in making Bison game day the spectacle it has become.

B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D N OV E M B E R 2 014

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BEHIND THE

SCENES

Monday OCTOBER 6

TO DO LIST

BIO

Chris Klieman press conference

Perreault started handling football media relations duty for the first time last year. He coordinates everything from logging stats to coordinating football player interviews with news outlets like ESPN, the Fargo Forum or WDAY. With the amount of press given to Bison football, it’s Perreault’s job to provide the access many of these media organizations need to get the story of Bison football out to anxious fans, yearning to learn more about their beloved football program.

Post press conference on YouTube Information gathering

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RYAN PERREAULT

During the week of an average home football game, NDSU receives about 15 media credential requests, which is handled by associate director of media relations Ryan Perreault. This season is the first year the Associated Press has assigned a photographer for every Bison home game. This is beneficial to the program because the AP is distributed worldwide.

BEHIND THE

SCENES

tuesday OCTOBER 7

TO DO LIST Game day prep meeting Player interviews Game day programs sent to printer

8-12 BIO

JUSTIN SWANSON

Swanson is the marketing coordinator for NDSU Athletics. His jobs are numerous throughout game week, but his main goal is to have everything scripted out for Saturday. “We know everything down to the minute,” Swanson said. “What time the lights go off, what time the spotlight comes on, when does the band play, everything by the minute.” A normal game script runs 20 pages.

Swanson works hand in hand with Senior Associate Athletic Director Troy Goegren and Director of Sales and Broadcasting Jeremy Jorgenson to ensure various game day advertisers’ promotions will be run. For example, the Site on Sound noise meter that is a realtime gauge of how loud the FargoDome is. “We have our own ideas to find sponsors, and then sponsors come to us with stuff,” said Swanson. “Some are a lot more involved than others … others

give us something new every week.

They’re like ‘Let’s try this, let’s try this,’ and it’s fun because they’re involved and wanting to see it grow, too.”

Tuesday is when players are made available to the media, pending players’ schedules. Every major TV news outlet sends interview requests 24 hours before the players are made available and its Perreault’s job to coordinate each request so the players that are available are there on time. Various print and radio outlets are welcomed for individual player interviews for stories that are published throughout the week.

Anywhere from eight-12 athletes are interviewed throughout the afternoon.

Every Tuesday before a Bison home football game, Swanson attends a game day prep meeting along with 25 to 30 other individuals to make sure everybody has everything they need to make sure game day runs smoothly. The meeting covers everything. The Fargo Police Department is there to make sure they’re directing traffic correctly, the band and cheer team coaches are there so they know when they will be able to practice on the field before the game and the FargoDome production staff is also represented so everyone knows their job from ticket services to the concession stands. Swanson describes it as a “rock concert for 20,000 people, essentially six times a fall.”

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BEHIND THE

SCENES

wednesday OCTOBER 8

TO DO LIST Game day preview editing Video archiving Opposing team information gathering

Every Friday, the multimedia team, led by Ryan Nelson, posts a YouTube Game Day preview. The preview video process begins on Wednesday after Klieman’s Monday press conference and after player interviews on Tuesday. The multimedia team has a vast archive of video shot every year. The two minute 56 second video starts with quick highlights from last week’s game and cuts to footage of last season’s game against the opponent the Bison will play this week, with audio from Monday and Tuesday’s interviews.

These videos are edited by one of the two multimedia interns and a script is written for Nelson to handle the voice overs.

2:56

Nelson is in his first year as the multimedia coordinator. Every video you see on NDSU’s Facebook is directed by Nelson with the help of his interns. Other videos are also edited throughout the week, including the videos you see on the video board during the game.

RYAN NELSON

BIO

Nelson has a whole video archive with clips of every player in every sport. Before the Southern Illinois game, Nelson went back in his archive to pull video from the last time the Bison player Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill. Nelson is also responsible for taking video request from other media outlets looking for footage of the Bison. This is mostly for national outlets who don’t have a local crew in Fargo to get footage of the Bison.

For example, if CBS needs video of the Bison basketball team to show during the NCAA Tournament, CBS will give Nelson a call so he can give them what they need. This week, he and his two interns are creating a men’s basketball highlight film to show basketball recruits prior to the football game. Later in the game, Justin Swanson will present the video to the entire crowd.

BEHIND THE Without “BG”, there is no game.

Communication is vital during the game day week. That’s why during every Tuesday meeting, BG informs everybody on when the opposing team is arriving to town to check-in at the hotel BG booked this summer, when the visiting team is having their walk-through on Friday, when the officials are arriving, and what everybody’s schedule is Saturday morning during pre-game. Friday is usually when BG picks up the officials from the airport and communicates with the visiting team when they can have their walk-through. This season is BG’s 10th at NDSU and his fifth year as director of football operations.

BRIAN GORDON

BIO

SCENES

thursday OCTOBER 9

2 Brian Gordon has two jobs during football season. He lets his foot off the pedal with equipment services and focuses on his director of football operations. Gordon remains involved in the equipment aspect by overseeing equipment transportation and making sure communication on the sidelines is clean with the coaches’ headsets. On the operational side, he acts as the liaison for the officials and visiting team.

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BEHIND THE

SCENES

friday OCTOBER 10

BIO

TO DO LIST Prep locker room for game Game day preview video released on YouTube

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NATHAN BJORALT

With the director of equipment services Brian Gordon running around completing his operational tasks, it’s up to Bjoralt and his staff to make sure every uniform is clean, every pad is dry and helmet is shined for every football game.

The equipment room has five large washing machines and dryers with individual machines designated for jerseys, pants, towels and coaches’ clothing. Bjoralt is then responsible for hanging the game jerseys so they can dry, and then places them over select players shoulder pads so they’re ready to go Saturday morning.

After the Friday night walkthrough at the FargoDome and the players have left the locker room, Bjoralt and his staff shine the helmets and apply the Bison, FCS, and NCAA decal on each dressing player’s helmet. Then they hang each jersey in the player’s locker.

Locker assignment is by number, starting in the middle with No. 1 then working its way around the room clockwise. This process usually takes two hours.

225 The equipment staff has anything and everything you can think of for the players to be successful on Saturday. The players have two sets of gloves and spikes, fresh decals and clean helmets, and 225 sets of shoulder pads to choose from. Nathan Bjoralt and his team of six equipment assistants spend their Friday evenings preparing the locker room for Saturday’s games.

BEHIND THE

SCENES

saturday OCTOBER 11

Football Operations Brian Gordon

13 Before BG does anything else prior to kickoff, he makes sure the coaches can effectively communicate during the game. BG hooks up and tests 13 headsets for each team before the game.

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1

Offensive phone

1

Defensive phone

1

Referee phone

8

Sideline coach headsets 1. Chris Klieman 2. Matt Entz 3. Nick Goeser 4. Grant Olson 5. Tyler Roehl 6. Atif Austin 7. Conor Riley 8. Joey Blackmore

1

Quarterback

1

Extra

B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • N OV E M B E R 2 014

BG is responsible for the two replay officials and NDSU technician having everything they need to make the right call on the field.

Replay Booth Three people occupy the replay booth during game day. It’s BG’s job to make sure they have everything they need, including communication with the cameras on the field, the producer of the TV station covering the game and communication with the officials on the field. The Big Ten Director of Officials Bill Carollo assigns the replay assistant, who sits on the right. Their responsibilities include calling the review officials who are on the sideline at the 20-yard line on opposite sides of the field. The review

official on the sidelines then calls over the head referee on the field to communicate with the replay assistant in the booth. The person in the middle of the booth is a Big Ten/MVFC official who is there to help the replay assistant make the correct call on the field. The third person in the booth sits on the left and feeds the official and replay assistant the video of the play. This person is a NDSU-provided technician who handles KVLY’s camera angles and makes them accessible for the replay official.

BEHIND THE

SCENES

saturday OCTOBER 11 Media Relations Ryan Perreault

Perreault arrives five hours prior to kickoff to make sure the press box is ready for the local and national news outlets. Perreault’s main initiative during the game is to document everything that happens on the football field through stats. He and a crew of four oversee the stats fans see on the scoreboards in the FargoDome and the stat feed they send to national networks tracking the game playby-play. He and two spotters are responsible for tracking the action on the field, while they communicate with an inputer, who is documenting each play as the game wears on.

STATS

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NDSU inputs every stat into an automated scoreboard that is standard across all divisions of college football.

“What’s nice is that it’s all computerized so we can change records right away, career-highs and things like that,” Perreault said. NDSU uses a software that archives statistics all the way back since the 1998 season. Former Bison tight-end Taylor Nelson helped input all the stats into the computerized record book over the summer.

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For home games, Perreault is busy archiving stats and printing final statistics to direct the postgame press conference. Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations Wes Offerman or Athletic Media Relations Assistant Ryan Anderson are also in the press box and help Perreault during the press conference. The visiting team’s Sports Information Director is almost always at the press conference, making sure the visiting team’s head coach and players are brought to the podium. Usually three to five players take the podium at once as the media in the crowd fires questions their way.

The selection of the players is a fairly practical process. The players tend to be the ones who were the “stars” or played a role in an important play during the game.

The press conference begins with an opening monologue from head coach Chris Klieman and then he answers questions. Klieman is then told which players have been requested for the press conference and while he goes back to the locker room, the opposing team’s head coach and players take the podium for questions.

The Bison take the podium after the visiting team’s time is over and begin answering questions from the media.

SCENES

saturday OCTOBER 11 Media Relations Ryan Perreault

Occasionally, interviews happen on the field. Jeremy Jorgenson interviews Klieman at halftime and after the game.

Jorgenson also has time to speak with a couple players on the field after the conclusion of the game while the opposing team is conducting its press conference.

INTERVIEWS

Ryan Perreault directs Brock Jensen to the press conference after his interview with FOX Sports 1 immediately following the Kansas State upset last season.

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BEHIND THE

SCENES

saturday OCTOBER 11

Director of Marketing Justin Swanson

97:00 All of the sound and video testing is complete before the gates to the FargoDome open 97 minutes before kickoff. Within the 20-page game script, every video is scheduled, every graphic on the video board is cued-up and ready to go and every event on the field is scheduled.

When the game starts, Swanson is on his headset with everyone who is a part of his production staff. From the FargoDome cameras, to the production trailer, the FargoDome presentation of Bison football is his show to run.

“Our fans don’t compare us to the teams in our conference anymore,” said Swanson. “They compare the presentation to a Wild game or a Vikings game.”

Swanson is in the entertainment business and his mission every week is to ensure fans have a great time, even if they aren’t into football. He wants the experience to be a positive one for recruits visiting, sponsors advertising during the game and the alumni that are proud to be Bison.

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Swanson sits (or stands) in his director chair in the press box during football games. To the right is public address announcer Dan Michaels. Swanson is responsible for feeding Michaels the scripts for ads and on-field activity non-game related.

marketing Swanson arrives to the FargoDome just before the three-hour countdown to kickoff. His team of 11 bustling interns have been running around all morning, wrapping the Bison yellow banner around the railing on the stands, blowing up the Bison helmet the team will eventually storm out of in a few hours, and have traveled to the tailgating lot to hand out free Bison items to anxious tailgaters.

“Who is supposed to bring the media guides to the president’s suite?” said Swanson. “Who has the yell leader signs? Who is finding the NDSU Bookstore Fan of the game? Everyone has a different responsibility and its everyone’s guide so they know what they are doing.”

“I’ll have a production meeting with the FargoDome for audio and

video three hours before kickoff,” said Swanson. “We go through the entire script and test every video, test the sound levels.” For this year’s Homecoming game, a new intro video created by Ryan Nelson and his staff was featured. Along with the other regular videos shown on the board, Swanson went through a 2013-14 men’s basketball Summit League champions video when the team was honored between the first and second quarter. There was also a special surprise for fans after the Summit League championship video.

Former Bison men’s basketball players Taylor Braun and TrayVonn Wright made a Thank You video via webcam in Europe, where both of them play.

Braun and Wright sent the video to Wes Offerman the week of the game and Swanson played it after the team is recognized.

Itinerary This is a brief of the game day itinerary Swanson and his staff will use on game day.

Everybody working the game will receive this schedule so nothing is a surprise. Coaches get it so they know when their players can take the field, security will receive a copy so they know who will be on the field at what times and FargoDome personnel will receive a copy so they know who will be playing music and what will be on the video board.

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BEHIND THE

SCENES

saturday OCTOBER 11

Multimedia Coordinator Ryan Nelson

5 Nelson and his crew will shoot over three hours of film during game day. They start early, touring the tailgating lot before taping pre game warm ups. During the game, Nelson will be on the field with an assistant and another NDSU video camera will be in the press box, right on the 50-yard line. If Nelson misses a shot of the Bison scoring a touchdown, he relies on the press box camera for the video.

Nelson and his staff rush to the press conference after the game to tape the postgame interviews and to make sure the other media outlets have everything they need to record the occasion as well. After the postgame interviews are finished, Nelson and his staff help clear out the press box and head back to the office. From there, they dump the video they taped during the game and start the editing process. This entire process can take up to five hours.

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HARVEST BOWL

HARVEST BOWL Where Excellence in Agriculture, Education and Bison Athletics meet

By Doug Tehven

The 41st annual NDSU Harvest Bowl, during the weekend of November 21-22, is a celebration of recognizing agriculture, education and athletics. The weekend begins with the Harvest Bowl Dinner and Awards Celebration on Friday at the Ramada Plaza Suites in Fargo and concludes with the Harvest Bowl football game on Saturday.

Agricultural representatives from each county in North Dakota and 10 counties in western Minnesota are recognized for their contributions to agriculture and their communities.

In addition, 15 scholarships will be awarded at the celebration to NDSU student athletes. Two scholarships are provided by the NDSU Harvest Bowl Endowment, and the rest as private and corporate donors.

We visited with two former NDSU athletes who were awarded scholarships at past Harvest Bowl events and now have careers in agriculture.

The first is Katie Lorenz Johnson, a former Bison basketball player who now lives in West Fargo and is a district sales manager for Monsanto-Asgrow/DEKALB Seed.

As a student athlete from Langdon, N.D., what did it mean to you to be awarded a scholarship at the 2003 Harvest Bowl?

“It meant a lot, as I learned to love the sport of basketball from my dad who farms in Langdon and also was a basketball coach. He was always a role model in my life and it made me think of him and appreciate all the time he spent with me to improve my game and instill the hard work attitude in me, which led me to receive an athletic scholarship. To have the tie between education, athletics and agriculture all in my family was pretty special. It’s a fond memory I’ll always have of receiving a scholarship at the Harvest Bowl banquet and also the privilege to address the crowd to thank them for the great opportunity they provided me.”

How have your experiences on the Bison basketball court helped shape your personal and professional life?

“The list could go on for pages on how playing for the Bison molded me into the person I am today, both as a wife and mother as well as working in an industry like agriculture. The first few things that come to mind is being competitive, toughness, dedication to the people and job you love, as well as setting goals to achieve greatness.

Lastly, all of the relationships I built in college helped make it easy to build relationships in the professional world. Every day, I get to interact with my husband and kids, as well as numerous farmers and retailers across southeast North Dakota. Teamwork and communication are vital to making each day better than the last.”

As a current member of the Harvest Bowl committee, what motivates you to volunteer your time for this organization?

“It’s easy to want to give back to this organization. I experienced firsthand how much it means as a student-athlete to be a recipient of a scholarship awarded at Harvest Bowl. If I can help provide the same level of satisfaction to another college student, it’s the least I can do to say thanks for what I was given in my time at NDSU. Also, the connection between NDSU and agriculture makes it special, knowing I come from a farming family, and now work in the ag industry. As the years pass by I grow a deeper level of passion and respect for agriculture.”

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HARVEST BOWL

We also visited with Andrew Grothmann., a former Bison football player who works in Ada, Minn., as an agricultural loan officer at AgCountry, Farm Credit Services.

Andrew, in thinking back, what was some of your first impressions of the first Harvest Bowl banquet you attended?

“At first, I was unaware of how important this was to the alumni and to the university. By attending and seeing the event, it gave me a better understanding of what Harvest Bowl means for everyone who is involved. In the three years I’ve attended, the event has expanded and has honored so many great people involved with agriculture, NDSU and Bison athletics.”

What are some of the similarities you see in “the field” of football and agriculture?

“The similarities are that every day or play can be different. One day, the markets are up, just as you may have a great running lane to score a touchdown. Just the opposite can easily happen.

In all instances, both football and agriculture take hard work. The team or person that can make adjustments and have the relentless pursuit of perfection will be the one to score the touchdown or be a successful person in agriculture.”

Growing up in the Hillsboro, N.D., farming community, what advice would you give to someone thinking about attending NDSU to pursue a career in agriculture?

“My advice would be to get involved in as much as you can while going to school. NDSU and the agricultural family are consistently growing and thriving. NDSU is the place to be. Around the nation, NDSU is known for their research work, student’s knowledge, and their abilities to succeed in agriculture. This is accomplished by having a knowledgeable staff and excellent resources. This certainly shows up after graduation as students are looking for jobs.”

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JERRY DOAN

Harvest Bowl

I

n 1882, the Doans purchased 160 acres of land near modern day McKenzie, N.D., as a homestead. Four generations later the land now sits on what is called Black Leg Ranch, a 17,000-acre property that is home to 500 cattle, thousands of yearlings in the summer and Rolling Plains Adventures, an agritourism operation run by fourth-generation landowner Jerry Doan.

DOAN’S COMMITMENT

By Joe Kerlin Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography

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Jerry Doan is a fourth generation rancher and will be receiving the Agribusiness Award presented by the Harvest Bowl this November.

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JERRY DOAN

I hate when somebody writes me up to make it seem like I’m bragging about numbers,” the 2014 Harvest Bowl Agribusiness Award recipient said while chuckling about his cowboy hat in his press release photo.

Doan sits at a table inside his Rolling Plains Adventures lodge. Almost every mount on the wall comes from his 17,000 acres of land.

Instead of speaking about his Harvest Bowl Award, his Outstanding Young Farmer Award or how many head of cattle he has on his land, Doan would rather talk to you about dirt. Selling the public sustainability and opportunity to build has “reinvigorated” Doan, who said his passion is what drives him to speak for fellow ranchers.

Along with tending to his ranch, Doan is

“Those early days were a lot of work, as the legislature only passed the law and allowed us as the first board to write all the policy and how the new board would function.” a mentor with the North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition and speaks all over the country about the future of sustaining soil health and protecting the wildlife he shares his own ranch with.

Doan didn’t feed his cattle with hay last winter; he used his own cover crops.

“The number one biggest cost for a cattle producer in the northern plains and in North Dakota is winter feed costs,” said Doan. He explains by using cover crops, ranchers can save money in the feeding budget while producing organic nitrogen to help soil nutrition and prevents the use of potentially harmful chemicals.

Forward thinking has helped Doan throughout his life in agriculture. After Doan graduated from NDSU in 1975, he became a member of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Board and North Dakota Beef Commission. Later, Doan was the chairman of the Ag Coalition and worked with the state

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The Doans Wife: Renae; The two have been married 40 years.

Kids (oldest to youngest): Shanda, Jeremy, Jay and Jayce all made their way back to the ranch after college.

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legislature to create the State Board of Ag Research (SBAR). He became the first chair of the SBAR, which was later renamed the State Board of Ag Research and Education and held the position from 1997-2006.

Agriculture has been a cornerstone in development at NDSU ever since the conception of the university.

North Dakota Agricultural College, as it was once called, still leans on its farming roots to enhance research for products the state taxpayers use and the products the producers make.

“Those early days were a lot of work, as the legislature only passed the law and allowed us as the first board to write all the policy and how the new board would function,” Doan said. “We were also able to convince the legislature to use the existing Consultation Board instead of a whole new board.”

Combining the Consultation Board with SBAR allowed for people

familiar with NDSU to be involved in the new policies.

Doan played a tremendous role in lobbying for $30 million put into the Agricultural Experiment Station Research greenhouse on campus.

Along with the new greenhouse, Doan said he was proud of his contributions towards legislating the Animal Nutrition & Physiology Center.

Doan’s work to propel the College of Agriculture will be recognized at this year’s 41st Annual Harvest Bowl. Vice President for Agricultural Affairs Dr. Ken Grafton nominated Doan for the 2014 Agribusiness Award, which Doan will receive Friday, Nov. 21.

The fourth-generation rancher said he is honored to receive the award, but stresses the importance of NDSU and the College of Agriculture continually working together to take the agriculture program to the top.

HARVEST BOWL

HARVEST BOWL

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS The Harvest Bowl endowments are presented to two athletes each year.

Softball player Courtney Johnson is this year’s recipient of the Harvest Bowl Scholarship and wrestler Tom Peterson will receive another Harvest Bowl scholarship in honor of Robert Johansen.

The remaining 13 scholarships that are awarded at the Harvest Bowl are from endowments not related to the Harvest Bowl. The scholarships have an affiliation to agriculture and will be presented at the Harvest Bowl by request of the donor.

Harvest Bowl Scholarship recipients.

Scholarships are presented at the Harvest Bowl ceremony.

The remaining 13 scholarships awarded at the Harvest Bowl dinner are from donors who have an affiliation with agriculture and have endowed their gifts in association with the Harvest Bowl.

Courtney Johnson Harvest Bowl Scholarship softball

Tom Petersen Harvest Bowl Scholarship in honor of Robert Johansen wrestling

Zach Mayo Gene Dahl Scholarship baseball

Austin Kuhnert Scott and Ann Dau Family Scholarship football

Jaclyn Lee John and Kay Dean HB Scholarship volleyball

Amber Riopelle Gooseneck Implement/ Green Iron Equipment HB Scholarship track and field

Anthony Caputo LeVon Kirkeide, Patricia Kirkeide – Hagemeister & Friends HB Scholarship wrestling

Andrew Bonnet Myron and Muriel Johnsrud - HB Endowment football

Ben LeCompte Darrell Larson Family Scholarship football

Cole Davis Bob Lauf Memorial Scholarship football

Andrew Smith Ron and Karen Offutt Scholarship football

Jarrod Tuszka Red River Commodities Scholarship football

Travis Beck Titan Machinery Scholarship football

Brian Schaetz #64 Bob Yaggie and #58 Bruce Yaggie Father-Son Football Scholarship football

Brad Ambrosius Bob and Darlene Yaggie Football Scholarship football

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BRIAN SCHAETZ

COUNTRY STRONG F

or a Bison junior defensive tackle, “Country Strong” is a way of life, not just a physical attribute of someone born near a barn.

By Joe Kerlin Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography

When you grow up, some people will tell you things, but when you meet someone that grew up in the country or grew up on a farm, you know that they’re going to do something for you. Doesn’t matter what, it doesn’t matter how, they’re going to do it.”

This is how Brian Schaetz has lived his whole life. From growing up on a small dairy farm in Denmark, Wis., to the gridiron in Fargo, N.D., Schaetz’s work ethic has driven him to become the best football player he can be ever since walking on to the North Dakota State football team.

After his redshirt season, the Bison football program recognized Brian Schaetz’s hard work and loyalty by awarding him a partial scholarship in the spring of 2012. His determination was recognized again the following season when Craig Bohl gave Brian Schaetz a full scholarship after a spring practice.

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“My dad was on the phone in the barn when I called,” Brian Schaetz said. “My mom was at work and was crying, and they were all excited. You could hear the dogs barking and the cows mooing in the background.”

Paul Schaetz can usually be found inside the family barn, and that’s where he was when his son called him to inform him of his full scholarship. Paul Schaetz was tending to the cows on his small dairy farm in a farming community of about 2,000 on the east side of Wisconsin, just minutes away from Lake Michigan.

Brian Schaetz describes the hard times growing up in a “salt of the earth” community during a time when dairy farms were certainly not flourishing.

Back when Brian Schaetz was working for his dad, it was $11 per hundredweight for cattle. “Pennies” is what Schaetz said his father’s fourth generation farm was working for during high school.

Even with the struggling dairy prices, Paul Schaetz still urged his son to view college as a viable option after high school. Brian Scahetz grew up in an area where not a lot of kids his age were going to college; they usually headed straight to the farm after graduation.

Paul Schaetz had a different plan for his son, even if Brian Schaetz thought he would be attending college in Milwaukee to wrestle. That idea quickly changed after Brian Schaetz satisfied his itch for football by attending the Badger football camp the summer before his senior season.

“I just became a little well known out of the blue,” said Brian Schaetz. And before he knew it, the 6’1” defensive tackle and part-time dairy farmer was receiving interest from the University of Wisconsin and Central Michigan.

Then Tim Polasek came to visit from a school in Fargo.

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BRIAN SCHAETZ

“He’s a straightforward guy,” Brian Schaetz said about the current Bison offensive coordinator. “He shook my hand that day and my hand was just calloused because I’d been working every day. He was like, ‘What do you do?’ And I’m like, ‘Well, I farm. I’m a dairy farmer.’ And he goes, ‘Oh really?’”

Coach Polasek is from the Iola, Wis., area and told Schaetz he spent time in the lumber industry. Schaetz found a certain comfort level with Polasek saying, “He knows the type of people I grew up with. So I’m like, ‘Okay, I can see myself playing here.’”

Schaetz works at his family’s dairy farm in Denmark, Wis.

“He shook my hand that day and my hand was just calloused because I’d been working everyday. He was like, ‘What do you do?’ And I’m like, ‘Well, I farm. I’m a dairy farmer.’ And he goes, ‘Oh really?’”

When it was time for Brian Schaetz to pick a school, he was weighing his options inside the barn while feeding and milking the cows with his dad. Paul Schaetz told his son to give Polasek a call. Brian Schaetz called and shortly after became a Bison.

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Brian Schaetz is now a first year starter among a young Bison defensive line that he took under his wing this offseason.

Brian Schaetz wanted to be approachable for the younger guys, and that’s what he became while the position group practiced yoga and watched film together in the team meeting room this summer.

Even while nursing a broken bone in his foot, Brian Schaetz was with his younger defensive linemen every step of the way, making sure they were ready for the upcoming season.

The Schaetzs dairy farm is back

to doing well with prices up to $25 hundredweight. Brian Schaetz is also finding his groove on a Bison interior line that has been impressive through the first half of the season.

Brian Schaetz doesn’t think he’ll return to the dairy farm after finishing his agriculture economics degree. But he knows “Country Strong” is a motto that will stick with him in every walk of life.

Schaetz will be receiving the #64 Bob Yaggie and #58 Bruce Yaggie Father – Son Football Scholarship through the Harvest Bowl this season.

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AMBER RIOPELLE

THE BEST THAT ALMOST WASN’T A

ll Amber Riopelle wanted was to go to college at North Dakota State, become a nurse and have a regular college experience. But like any other 18-yeard-old incoming freshman, she didn’t always know what was right for her at the time.

By Joe Kerlin Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography

R

iopelle was a star athlete at Mandan High School where she starred on the volleyball, basketball and track and field teams.

Riopelle was named female senior Athlete of the Year in 2011 and was destined to compete in college athletics. The problem was, that’s not what she wanted.

“I did sports year-round in high school and I kind of just got burnt out,” Riopelle said.

Riopelle enrolled at NDSU and started working towards her nursing degree.

Then, just before her sophomore

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year, she received an email from an unexpected coach looking for a thrower.

Riopelle always had a fascination with javelin while growing up. She was a thrower on her high school team and excelled in discus and shot put, but she never thought she was big or skilled enough to compete collegiately. It turns out Riopelle was quite the natural with a javelin, placing fifth in state her senior year without any real coaching, throwing the javelin 119 feet. Alex Koppy, also from Mandan, joined the Bison track team the same year Riopelle started attending NDSU and never

forgot Riopelle’s natural-born ability.

Although Riopelle had been out of track and field for a season, Koppy referred her to new men’s track and field throwing coach Justin St. Clair.

The coach then emailed Riopelle and arranged a meeting with the former Mandan star to see if she had interest in competing again.

“Both my parents are very into sports,” Riopelle said. “My mom had the chance when she was younger to play basketball for UND (University of North Dakota).”

AMBER RIOPELLE

“At that time, her dad had convinced her it’s better to go off and get a job and get her career going and to be focused on that. My mom always told me her biggest regret was not going to college and playing.”

Riopelle had her shot and her mom’s motivation pushed her over the top. The next week she was back to playing sports by attempting to walk on to the women’s track and field team as a javelin thrower.

The first season went better than anyone could have imagined. Riopelle not only

Riopelle finished fourth in the javelin at the Summit League Outdoor Championships last summer.

“...Her dad had convinced her it’s better to go off and get a job and get her career going and to be focused on that. My mom always told me her biggest regret was not going to college and playing.” made the team, she finished fifth in the Summit League Outdoor Championship meet and improved her high school personal best by 20 feet.

Riopelle always felt her size was going to hold her back in the long run, but if her first season on the track team proved anything, it was that size isn’t what mattered.

“It’s all about technique,” Riopelle said.

“And what I’ve learned about javelin is that it has nothing to do with arm strength at all. That’s the biggest thing I’ve gotten from Justin is that javelin, the less you think about the throw, the better your throw will be.”

“It was my best throw of the year,” Riopelle said. “And I knew at that point there was a good chance I could get put on scholarship.”

The partial scholarship Riopelle received was no surprise to her or her parents. She had the talent all along. Riopelle finally got the push she needed and is currently fifth on the all-time javelin list at NDSU and is looking to move up this season.

Riopelle will be receiving the Gooseneck Implement/Green Iron Equipment Harvest Bowl Scholarship this season.

The more she trained on her technique and the more weights Riopelle lifted, the better she became, and it all came together during the Summit League Championship meet.

Photo courtesy of N.D. Department of Transportation

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B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • N OV E M B E R 2 014

Dedicated Service for Dedicated Bison Fans As a dedicated Bison fan, you deserve a dedicated team to handle your uniforms, facility services, linens and towel needs. For information on starting a program with AmeriPride, contact us at 701-232-7484 or 800-345-5516 or visit our website, www.ameripride.com.

People You Can Count On

速

SEAN FREDRICKS

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WHERE

ARE THEY

NOW?

SEAN FREDRICKS: A HALL OF FAME CAREER

By Cody Bickler | Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography

What is the ultimate sign of a successful career? For Sean Fredricks, it was his recent induction into the Bison Athletics Hall Of Fame. This is an accolade that only comes to people who truly deserve it. Fredricks was an outstanding linebacker for NDSU in the late 90s. His long list of achievements includes being a first-team Division II All-American in 1997, Dennis Drews Trophy recipient in 1997 (NDSU football MVP), NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient in 1998, Academic All-North Central Conference (1995, 1996, 1997), and 1997-98 Albrecht Presidential Trophy recipient (Male Student-Athlete of the Year), as well as many more.

73

SEAN FREDRICKS

redricks was a standout on the field, as well as academically. As great of a career as Fredricks had, even he didn’t expect such a prestigious honor as a Hall of Fame inductee.

“I was shocked. NDSU has such a storied history,” Fredricks said.

“The guys who set the foundation for where we are now were pretty incredible players. I studied them and learned from their mannerisms.

To be joining that group is pretty incredible.”

“For me, everything I do in my daily life stems from what I learned at NDSU,” Fredricks said. “Take pride in every single thing that you do. If you are going to do it, do it right. That’s how I live my life. That’s how my family lives their lives.”

– Sean Fredricks 74

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His impressive career as a Bison also helped prepare him for a successful career at one of the largest law firms in North Dakota. He works for Ohnstad Twichell Law Firm, where his practice is focused on water and real estate law, and construction and commercial litigation. It takes hard work and dedication to get to this point in a career.

“The people at my law firm are a team,” Fredricks said. “We all do different things. We all try to carry our own weight. It is rewarding professionally. Of course, it’s a job

STATS

• 3rd all-time in total tackles (363) • 3rd all-time in tackle assists (264) • 3-straight seasons as NDSU leading tackler 41-16 record during career

and I’m happy that I have been successful in it. Everything I do, I want to be successful.”

Bison Pride is a common theme among athletes at NDSU. It preaches doing your best at whatever you do, sets a foundation for future success and addresses how to live life daily.

That pride is evident in Fredricks and many other current and former athletes from NDSU. “For me, everything I do in my daily life stems from what I learned at NDSU,” Fredricks said. “Take pride in every single thing that you do. If you are going to do it, do it right. That’s

SEAN FREDRICKS

KVLY’s Jamal Spencer talks with Sean Fredricks on his recent Hall of Fame induction during the Bison Homecoming football game.

how I live my life. That’s how my family lives their lives.”

Fredricks is a familiar face around Bison fans. In addition to his illustrious playing days, he also is involved with KVLY and their coverage of Bison football. His knowledge of the game helps bring an insight an average fan would otherwise be unaware of.

Fredricks has enjoyed a successful career, both professionally and as an athlete, at NDSU. Now he enjoys passing this wisdom along to his kids, as well as the other players on his son’s youth football team that he

coaches. He believes his son is a much better athlete than he ever was. Who knows, maybe NDSU will have yet another incredible student-athlete in the future.

ACHIEVEMENTS

One thing is for sure, Fredricks, like so many other successful Bison, continues to build off the foundations learned at NDSU. His hard work and determination have helped him live his prosperous life that has reached a new apex with his Hall of Fame induction. Fredricks will forever be included as one of the greatest Bison student-athletes of all-time.

• Adrian O. McLellan Scholarship to UND School of Law (2000)

• Thomas L. and Nan K. Degnan Memorial Scholarship (1999)

• NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient (1998) • Bison Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee (2014) 77

UPCOMING SEASON

SPORTING CALENDAR

2014

NOV/DEC

Lawrence Alexander is the lone senior on this year’s men’s basketball team. He’s started 98 career games for the Bison.

NOVEMBER 7 Women’s Volleyball at

Western Illinois (Macomb, Ill.) 6 p.m

7 Women’s Basketball vs

Bemidji State (Exhibition) (Fargo) 7 p.m.

8 Football at Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 4 p.m.

15

Football at Missouri State (Springfield, Mo.) 2 p.m.

15 Women’s Volleyball vs Oral

Roberts (Fargo) 5 p.m.

16 Women’s Basketball vs Milwaukee (Fargo) 2 p.m.

17 Men’s Basketball at Iowa

DECEMBER 2 Women’s Basketball at

Mississippi State (Starkville, Miss.) 7 p.m.

3

Men’s Basketball at Southern Miss (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 7:30 p.m.

5

Wrestling vs Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational (Las Vegas, Nev.) All Day

8 Women’s Volleyball at IUPUI

(Iowa City, Iowa) 7 p.m.

14 Women’s Basketball vs Kent

Western Michigan (Kalamazoo, Mich.) 6 p.m.

6 Women’s Basketball vs North

21-23 Women’s Volleyball vs

6 Wrestling vs Cliff Keen Las

(Indianapolis, Ind.) 6 p.m.

State (Fargo) 12 p.m.

14 Women’s Cross Country NCAA Midwest Regional (Peoria, Ill.) 12 p.m.

14 Men’s Cross Country NCAA Midwest Regional (Peoria, Ill.) 1 p.m.

14 Women’s Volleyball vs Fort

Wayne (Fargo) 7 p.m.

14 Men’s Basketball at Texas (Austin, Texas) 7 p.m.

19 Women’s Basketball at

Summit League Tournament (Indianapolis, Ind.) TBA

21 Men’s Basketball vs

Hampton vs. Alcorn State (Fargo) 4:30 p.m.

21 Men’s Basketball vs

Kennesaw State (Fargo) 7 p.m.

22

Football vs Youngstown State (Harvest Bowl) (Fargo) 2:30 p.m.

22

Dakota (Fargo) 7 p.m.

Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational (Las Vegas, Nev.) All Day

7

Men’s Basketball at Montana (Missoula, Mont.) 8 p.m.

8 Women’s Basketball vs

Mayville State (Fargo) 7 p.m.

11

Women’s Basketball at Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 7 p.m.

Men’s Basketball vs Subregional Consolation Game (Fargo) 4:30 p.m.

13 Men’s Basketball vs North

22

14 Wrestling vs South Dakota

25 Men’s Basketball vs

14 Women’s Basketball at New

28 Women’s Basketball vs

16 Men’s Basketball vs Akron

Men’s Basketball vs Subregional Championship Game (Fargo) 7 p.m.

Minnesota-Crookston (Fargo) 7 p.m.

Northeastern (Mass.) (Boca Raton, Fla.) TBA

29 Women’s Basketball vs

TBA (Boca Raton, Fla.) TBA

30 Men’s Basketball at

Montana State (Bozeman, Mont.) 6 p.m.

Dakota (Fargo) 7 p.m.

NBC ND (HD)

State University (Fargo) 2 p.m.

Mexico State (Las Cruces, N.M.) 3 p.m.

(Fargo) 7 p.m.

19 Women’s Basketball at Cal

State Fullerton (Fullerton, Calif.)

9 p.m.

21 Women’s Basketball at

Grand Canyon (Phoenix, Ariz.)

3 p.m.

21 Men’s Basketball vs Kent State (El Paso, Texas) 6 p.m.

22

Men’s Basketball at UTEP / Alcorn State (El Paso, Texas) 6 p.m./8 p.m.

79

CHEMISTRY QUIZ

Liz

Keena? ld What wou Liz say?

T

he women’s basketball team is preparing for a comeback this season with a new coaching staff. The team will return three seniors and we asked them a series of questions to see how well they know each other off the court.

THE QUESTIONS 1. What’s your favorite postgame meal?

LIZ’S ANSWERS Stuffed crust pizza

BROOKE LEMAR

ALISA BROWN

A sandwich or pizza

Sandwich

+ 1/2

2. What’s your favorite TV show?

Parks and Rec

Friends

Any documentary

3. Who would you like to go see in concert the most?

Mumford and Sons

Beyonce

4. What’s your dream job?

Operating my own nonprofit

Doctor

5. How old were you when you picked up your first basketball?

5 years old

Eight

Five

6. Who is the most intense coach on the team?

Maren Walseth

Maren

Coach Walseth

Mumford and Sons +1 Starting her own nonprofit

+1

+1

7. What’s you favorite romantic-comedy movie?

The Notebook (I cry EVERY time)

Clueless

1-7 80

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+1

+1

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

4 1/2- 7

ERIC HENDERSON

GET TO

KNOW COACH ERIC HENDERSON

Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Eric Henderson will be in his first season as a Bison.

His prior coaching experience includes time at Wayne State and Iowa State, as well as being the head coach for Burlington Catholic Central High School in Wisconsin for five seasons.

Henderson brings an energy and passion for the game and will look to boost the Bison back into the NCAA tournament for a second consecutive season. Henderson is a key part in a coaching staff full of new faces heading into this upcoming season.

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Q& A Interview by Joe Kerlin | Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography

Bison Illustrated:

Eric Henderson

BI:

EH:

You played for Greg McDermott.

Then you coached with him as a graduate assistant. Explain what kind of a coach he is and how he has influenced you.

“As far as what type of coach he is, I consider him a player’s coach. He has great relationships with his players and puts a lot of trust in them. He takes advantage of getting to know them as a player, but even more as a person. He’s a very positive guy and will let you know when you are making a mistake. He is very easy to play for. He is very team-oriented.

As far as being a mentor, he really took me under his wing. A lot of my basketball philosophies are based on what he taught me. Putting the team first, working on the fundamentals, not letting anybody out-work you.

These all come from him.”

How did he influence you into becoming a coach? Or did you always have an idea that you wanted to get into coaching?

“The idea of becoming a coach developed over time. He put a lot of trust into me. I wasn’t necessarily the most talented player, but my values growing up were, I wasn’t going to let anyone out-work me. By showing him that, he put a lot of trust into me. He made me a captain my junior and senior year. He talked to me a lot about philosophy and working with the young kids to make them better. When I was doing that, it was natural for me to become a coach. I love working with young people. He instilled that in me and gave me the confidence to do that even when I was a player with the younger guys.

Just that mentorship seemed like a natural fit for me and my personality.”

ERIC HENDERSON

Q& A BI:

A two-year captain. You must have been a pretty good ball player then.

EH:

“I don’t know if I was a good ball player, but I played on some pretty good teams. It was something for our small community to take pride in. We were the talk of the town during that time. A lot of it had to do with the success on the court, but more of it had to do with our involvement in the community.

We really took advantage of the situation that we were in.

It certainly didn’t hurt that we were winning a bunch of games.

A lot of people started coming to the games. It was a pretty special time in the community.”

BI:

Coaching high school basketball. Now you are back at the college ranks. How did Dave (Richman) show interest in you? Do you have a past relationship?

EH:

“I knew Dave from back when I was coaching at Iowa State a little bit, and even a little before that when I coached at Wayne State when I was done playing.

I knew Dave from then, but didn’t have a strong relationship with him. I didn’t know him that well. When Coach Mac called and asked if I had any interest in getting back in the game, I said ‘It is going to take a pretty special situation.’ The more I looked into it and looked into the program at North Dakota State, and more particular Coach Richman, I certainly wanted to pursue (it) with his high character values and the Bison family here. It just seemed like a natural fit for me. I haven’t been disappointed.”

BI: EH:

BI:

EH:

What is it about NDSU that brings people here?

are going to build positive relationships with your players and that’s what I try to do. That’s something that is important to me. Trying to influence these guys on the basketball court, but more importantly being a role model. If I can do that, along with helping their skill development, that’s really what being a college basketball coach is about. That’s what got me back in the college game.

Building the relationships with the players and coaching staff.”

“It certainly is a special culture.

The success that Bison athletics has had certainly has given a spark to people’s interest. But once you get here and feel firsthand the culture, you realize it’s more than just winning. It’s about the sense of community, high character values and hard work ethic. It is special. It makes NDSU stand out above a lot of other schools.”

You said you are going to provide a lot of energy and excitement as the assistant coach. How do you think that will correlate to a good basketball team?

“I think being high energy, being a positive teammate, having high value characteristics are qualities of a good team. They are there for each other and their teammates when somebody is down. When you look at college basketball, talent is one thing, but it’s that camaraderie, work ethic and positive team energy that gets teams over the hump, especially at the mid-major level. If we can do that on a consistent basis, we are excited about the future.”

BI:

How do you approach college basketball differently than you approach high school basketball?

EH:

“The biggest difference is you are around basketball all the time, from summer workouts, to recruiting. You are always around the game. That’s why I got back into it. I am a hoops junkie. The talent level is also another big difference.”

FOR MORE INFO: BI:

EH:

How have you gone about building the relationships with the players?

about Coach Eric Henderson, or for other NDSU Bison Athletics news and information visit:

When you are building relationships, I think first and foremost you have to be honest with them. You have to hold them accountable in a positive way. You have to show that you are excited to be here. If you can do those things, you

bisonillustrated.com OR

CHECK OUT THE APP! Download the official Bison Illustrated app and stay in the know!

85

VALLEY KINGS

1985-2014

OF FCS

KINGS

THE MISSOURI VALLEY FOOTBALL CONFERENCE HAS BEEN ON A RECORD-BREAKING PACE THIS SEASON. The MVFC has already set conference records with 23 non-conference FCS wins (one loss) and a winning percentage of .958. The previous record was set back in 2003, when the MVFC went 13-2 against non-conference FCS foes which led to a conference-high four bids in the then 16-team FCS playoff. With the MVFC dominating the GPI and human rankings, the MVFC looks to increase its at-large bids this season from only one last season. If the rankings hold, the MVFC could be well represented come playoff time.

Article by Joe Kerlin and Cody Bickler | Stats current through Friday, October 24 86

B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • N OV E M B E R 2 014

WHERE DOES NDSU STAND?

WHAT’S GPI? The Gridiron Power Index (GPI) is a NCAA Division I Football Subdivision used to rank at-large bids for the 24-team playoff at the end of the season. Not only does it rank the at-large bids, or the teams that didn’t win their conference, it is also used as an indicator of who are the best teams and conferences in the FCS. The formula uses two major FCS rankings (Coaches Poll and Sport Network Poll), including seven computer-generated algorithm polls.

North Dakota State was the unanimous No. 1 on the rankings going into the South Dakota game.

They scored a perfect 1 in the rankings from every human and computer generated poll.

WHERE DOES THE MISSOURI VALLEY FOOTBALL combining every school in the MVFC GPI, we can rate CONFERENCE STAND? By where the conference ranks in the FCS. FCS Ranking | School | GPI Rating (10/24) 1 North Dakota State 2 Illinois State 7 South Dakota State

1.00 4.00 7.14

10 Indiana State

13.00

11 Youngstown State

13.29

12 Southern Illinois

13.86

13 Missouri State

15.29

14T Northern Iowa

15.71

25 Western Illinois 42 South Dakota

24.14 39.14 87

VALLEY KINGS

COMPUTER GENERATED POLLS (7)

SO WHAT’S THE FORMULA?

Massey Rating

(MAS) Atomic Football or Jim Ashburn

This is what NDSU’s rankings look like. As you can see, there are ones across the board.

(ASH)

RATING ARC

ASH

LAZ

KEE

MAS SEL

SAG BRN

FCP

SNW

1.00

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

5

1

1

USA Today or Jim Sagarin

(SAG)

Step 1

“ARC” stands for Adjusted Rankings of the Computers. This number is found by removing the highest and lowest ranking number and adding the remaining five computer rankings. This makes NDSU’s ARC 5.

Step 2

Add the two human rankings to the ARC. “FCP” stands for Coaches Poll and “SNW” stands for Sports Network Poll.

Step 3

The rating is finally found when you take the combined number of the ARC and human rankings and divide the number by seven.

This gives NDSU a rating of 1.

Laz Index

(LAZ) Keeper’s College Football Rating

(KEE) Jeff Self

(SELF) Born Power Index

(BORN)

WHY IT MATTERS

Now let’s apply the formula to another MVFC team, Illinois State, who was second in the GPI through Oct. 24.

RATING ARC

ASH

LAZ

KEE

MAS SEL

SAG BRN

FCP

SNW

4.00

2

2

8

2

2

9

9

10

2

2

Step 1

Remove the eight ranking from the KEE poll and one of the two rankings from any of the remaining computer generated polls and Illinois State’s ARC comes to 10.

Step 2

Add 10 to the combined 18 ranking from the human polls and Illinois State’s number is now 28.

Step 3

Divide 28 by seven and Illinois State’s final rating is 4, which in this case was good enough for second in the GPI.

If we take the 11 leaders in each conference and assume they will earn an automatic bid into the FCS playoffs, we are left to fill out the playoff field with 13 at-large bids. By using the GPI rating to fill out the rest of the field, an astonishing eight teams from the MVFC would make the FCS playoffs; that’s one-third of the teams in the playoffs.

And THAT is how good the Missouri Valley Football Conference is this season.

89

Big South (15-3) GPI (37.07)

#2

Colonial Athletic Association (20-8) GPI (41.33)

#4

WHERE DOES EVERYONE ELSE STAND?

VALLEY KINGS

Shown below is each FCS conference and the states represented in each conference with their record vs. non-conference FCS opponents, and the conferences GPI as of 10/24/2014. *(Not pictured: FCS Independent, 2-2; Ivy League, #10 4-9; Southwest Athletic Conference, #13 2-7.) *Not pictured because these conferences don’t have an automatic bid into the FCS Playoffs.

Patriot League (14-12) GPI (53.45)

#8

Southern Conference (4-8) GPI (47.75)

#7

Pioneer (4-13) GPI

#14 (80.29)

Southland Conference (7-10) GPI (45.58)

Big Sky (8-9) GPI

#3 (41.09)

#5

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (4-16) GPI (67.39)

#12

Northeast Conference (9-15) GPI (56.63)

#9

Ohio Valley (5-8) GPI (46.24)

#6

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DEFENSIVE BACKS

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By Joe Kerlin Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography

93

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Christian Dudzik

nation. Heagle assumes the responsibility of run stopper with a team leading 57 tackles this season. Dudzik roams like a centerfielder, eliminating any big plays with a team leading two interceptions and endless touchdown saving tackles.

CJ Smith

Smith got his first taste of Bison football during the second national championship run in 2012 and won the starting corner spot opposite Williams last season. Smith burst onto the scene leading the Missouri Valley Football Conference with 15 pass breakups — seven more than Williams.

Smith also had as many interceptions, including a drive-stalling pick against Towson in the FCS Championship game.

“The similarity is a commitment to excellence,” senior safety Christian Dudzik said about comparing Smith and Williams. “He’s trying to finish on every ball, so he really takes pride in being a lockdown corner.”

Colten Heagle

DEFENSIVE BACKS 142 LINEBACKERS 129 PLAYERS OFF THE BENCH 86 DEFENSIVE LINEMEN 87 OFFENSIVE PLAYERS 7

At this point in the season, lockdown is an understatement when describing the entire Bison secondary. Since allowing 240 passing yards against Weber State, the Bison have surrendered an average of 55 yards passing a game and three touchdowns.

The defensive back group has found its groove this season with high expectations going into every MVFC matchup.

B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • N OV E M B E R 2 014

“He’s another guy that takes a lot of pride in finishing off plays and being a good cover guy,” said Dudzik.

The Bison defensive backfield is one of the strongest position groups on the 2014 team and could be considered one of the most physical and skilled to take the field for the Bison. But they’ll gladly leave the speculation to fans. The Wolf Pack just wants to play and impose their will on opposing offenses week in and week out.

PASSING YARDS ALLOWED/GAME

“There are unspoken expectations,” Smith said. “No matter what obstacle we face, we get through it together. We have each other’s back. It’s a killer instinct kind of thing.”

As a captain, Dudzik believes this year’s secondary has the potential to be the best secondary he has been a part of during his Bison career.

Between the two senior safeties, Colton Heagle and Dudzik have played over 100 games at NDSU. The tandem is arguably the best complementary defensive backfield in the division, if not the

94

Dudzik is also quick to note the development of first-year starter Jordan Champion, who has developed into a tackling machine from the corner position.

AVERAGE FCS TEAM 214.1

“What he did is too crazy,” said Smith, reflecting on his old mentor. “There aren’t too many people that will ever do the things that he did.”

TOTAL TACKLES (OCT. 18)

AVERAGE MVFC TEAM 203.1

unior cornerback CJ Smith has never felt like he was the man to replace Marcus Williams. This may be because Williams is simply irreplaceable.

BISON 154.9

J

Jordan Champion

INTERNATIONAL BISON

O S N I B m fro

Erin Teschuk made the short trek from WINNIPEG, CANADA, where she calls home, down to Fargo after her high school days.

She has made quite a name for herself in her second season running cross country for North Dakota State, already having three top finishes for the Bison this season. Teschuk sat down with us to talk about her time as a Bison and the changes from her time running in Canada.

By Joe Kerlin Photos by J Alan Paul Photography 96

B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D N OV E M B E R 2 014

that mentality to beat everyone is how you run good times. If you have good competition and you are trying to win, good times will follow. There are a lot of good opportunities to run against good competition. We were at Stanford a couple weeks ago. There were some pros in the race. It is pretty cool to be able to line up with a pro standing beside you.”

INTERVIEW: Photos by Dan Harper

THIS IS YOUR SECOND YEAR RUNNING CROSS COUNTRY. YOU CUT OFF OVER 1:30 OFF YOUR TIME. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? “So far the season has been awesome.

Training has been going well. Every year I have been here I have stepped up training and stepped up intensity. I am just working to cut down the time every year. Last year, I was just stepping into cross country so I am a little more used to it now.”

DID YOU RUN CROSS COUNTRY IN HIGH SCHOOL OR JUST TRACK? “I did run cross country in high school.

In Winnipeg, we ran 3k for cross country so it was a little bit shorter. It wasn’t really the season I focused on. Coming here was really my first time running 5 and 6k runs.”

DO A LOT OF ATHLETES TREAT CROSS COUNTRY AS A WAY TO STAY IN SHAPE? WHAT IS THE FEELING TOWARDS THE SPORT? “It is really just as intense. The athletes that are in cross country are just as intense about it as they are in track. Some people in cross country, this is even their main season. Especially distance runners; it gives you an opportunity to excel and not run a whole bunch of laps around a track. For people who specialize in 10k’s, cross country is their season.”

WHAT DOES IT DO FOR YOUR CONFIDENCE KNOWING YOU AND YOUR TEAM CAN HANG IN THERE WITH THOSE REALLY GOOD TEAMS ON THE WEST COAST?

Winnipeg, Canada

YOU LOST YOUR COACH. STEVIE IS NOW TAKING OVER AS AN INTERIM. ANDREW CARLSON IS ON THE STAFF. WHAT IS ANDREW LIKE AS A COACH? “He is awesome. It is great to have someone who has really been there.

He’s a great runner himself so he really understands what it is like. What I like about him is he brings intensity to practice, but he is also a lot of fun. He is really light-hearted and likes to have fun.

He makes practices fun. I have never met someone who is so dedicated to athletes.

He would honestly bend over backwards and do anything for his athletes. Last week, he ran five workouts with different athletes. If some of my teammates cannot make it and I have to run by myself, he will run beside me the whole time. He paces me and everything like that. He is very dedicated.”

ANDREW’S COACHING PHILOSOPHY IS TO TRY AND BEAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN. YOU’VE BEATEN EVERYONE. HOW DO YOU STAY AHEAD OF EVERYONE AND KEEP GRINDING? “Just stay competitive. We have had so many opportunities to go and race against other people. There are so many great runners out there. There is always competition. In some of the smaller meets, yeah, you are going to run to win it. In the bigger meets, honestly, having

“It is great, and confidence is so huge in running. It is such a mental sport. You need to be confident in yourself. It is awesome to be a smaller school, but we can go to meets and be confident that we can run with these Big 10 schools and Pac 12 schools. We can be right in the mix with them.”

LET’S TALK ABOUT CANADA. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANADIAN STEREOTYPE TO DISPROVE? “People always say I have an accent. I don’t think I have an accent. The first thing people always say to me is ‘Oh you are from Canada, eh?’ After you hear it like five times it’s like ‘Oh, I have never heard that one before.’”

YOU MENTIONED THE DISTANCE WAS DIFFERENT. WAS THERE ANYTHING ELSE IN CANADA THAT WAS DIFFERENT WHEN YOU WERE RUNNING? “For the most part it is pretty similar.

The distances are a little different in high school. We run the 3000 instead of the 2 mile, which is 3200. We had a different system. Here they all run in competitions with their high school, but most people in Canada that ran were part of a club. I did run sometimes for my high school, but I trained and competed with the club. My club coach was my main coach in high school. We also have a season during the summer. That is our main racing season.

Another good thing about running in Canada was even though there was good competition, there was less people so it was easier to make it to big meets. It is good for confidence and experience.”

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TRENT BAALKE

TRENT

BAALKE

Q& A

As a successful general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, it is often forgotten the ties that Trent Baalke has to NDSU. A 16-year veteran of the NFL and in his fourth year as general manager of the 49ers, Baalke talks with us about his road to today and his time at NDSU in this exclusive Bison Illustrated interview.

Interview by Brent Tehven Photos by Courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers

BI

You got your start at Bemidji State and came to NDSU as a graduate assistant on the D-line, working with Coach Larsen. How did that help your road to where you’ve gotten today?

TB

“Football is football. I was blessed at that time to get in to NDSU as a graduate assistant. Obviously at that point in time, just like it is now, it was the premiere program, but in Division II at that time. There were a lot of great people, a lot of great individuals, a lot of great football coaches on that staff. It was an opportunity to learn an awful lot.”

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TRENT BAALKE

BI

NDSU at that time was part of the North Central Conference.

You had to go through that conference. Looking at where NDSU is now compared to where they were, does it surprise you?

TB

“No it doesn’t surprise me. I am a traditionalist, so the change from Division II to Division I (FCS) was obviously something that was needed at this time, but if you look back that was still one of the premiere Division II conferences in the country. It was a shame to see that go to the wayside, and to lose some of that tradition and history. But you see the same thing at the Division I with the super powers and super conferences and such. You are also seeing a change from the wing T and the wishbone to an option game and a spread-option game. There is a lot of changes. Football is still football.”

BI

TB

You had the opportunity when you were at (NDSU) to be a part of a National Championship.

Todd Wash and Phil Hansen went on to have some pretty good careers. What do you remember about those two guys?

“They both loved the game. That’s the one thing that stands out to me.

It wasn’t surprising to me that Phil went on to have a pro career, have his number retired, play in Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills. He was a very smart football player and a very good football player. A very versatile guy, could play all the positions along the front. Todd was very similar in a lot of ways. Loved the game. Was a versatile player. A very smart football player that has gone on to have a very successful coaching career. There is no doubt that at some point, he will become a

coordinator, and it wouldn’t shock me if he became a head coach at some point. There was a lot of people around that program at that point in time that loved the game of football. They worked hard and earned the accolades that they are now getting.”

BI TB

BI

TB

What do you remember most about Fargo?

“Cold (laughs). It was a great time.

I was newly married at the time.

There are so many fond memories of not only individual games, but just people. It is a great community.

They love the university. They follow their sports extremely aggressively.

It’s a neat environment. It is one that is hard to replicate. Now that it is getting the exposure nationally, the rest of the country is getting to see what Fargo has to offer.”

Talk a little bit about Craig Dahl, who is also on the 49ers. He has had a successful career. What makes him the player he is?

“I think it is similar to a lot of the players that have come through that program and that part of the country. They know how to work.

They are passionate about football.

When you have those two things going for you, as well as the physical traits to go with it, it generally ends up good. Craig is a valuable part of this football team. Although not a starter, he is a strong contributor on special teams. He is our third safety.

He can play both positions and is a very valuable asset to the team.”

UNLIKELY MATCH

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THE SIDELINE STORY TO THE 2012 NDSU VS. GEORGIA SOUTHERN FOOTBALL GAME AS TOLD BY A CHEERLEADER 103

UNLIKELY MATCH

THE SAME GAME THAT BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER IN THE PAST IS NOW THE SAME REASON THEY MUST KEEP THEIR RELATIONSHIP IN THE SHADOWS. y knees sank in the grass on the sideline next to the 30-yard mark.

I was holding a “Let’s Go Eagles” sign and was silently praying as I looked intently toward the opposite end zone. We had lost the previous year in 2011, but this game was different, we were supposed to win. After a deafening fourth quarter, the FargoDome was silent.

M

the screen. After looking over all the names, I couldn’t help but feel disdain for the NDSU Bison who were also placed on the same side of the bracket, again. After losing miserably in 2011, I was certain that I didn’t want to go back to Fargo. As those words ran through my head, our head coach’s wife said, “I sure hope we don’t have to go all the way back to Fargo this year.”

The North Dakota State Bison were on the 5-yard line, and the scoreboard displayed Eagles 20, Bison 16. Everybody who was watching the game at home and in the stands was staring at a funnyshaped brown ball in hopes of making it to Frisco, Texas. With 3:05 left on the clock, the play began and in an instant, I heard the thunderous roar of the wrong crowd followed by a heart-wrenching cannon that seemed to be shooting at my heart. NDSU’s quarterback Brock Jensen had run the ball in for a touchdown and with a blocked 50yard field goal, the game was over.

A few weeks later, after scoring 28 points in the fourth quarter against Old Dominion, we found ourselves doing just that — we were heading back to Fargo. Though the Eagles were more prepared for the earsplitting atmosphere and to put up a strong fight, it wasn’t enough when the clock ran out.

I was in disbelief as I glowered at the loss on the scoreboard while standing on the sideline as the FargoDome cleared. It was an unlikely matchup, and we lost.

Nevertheless, we made our way back to Statesboro, Ga., as I mulled over the thought that I would never get to be a cheerleader on the sidelines of Frisco, Texas.

It was an unlikely matchup — a very unlikely matchup. Georgia Southern and NDSU went head-to-head for the second year in a row in the semi-final game for the FCS Championship.

Earlier that November, I pulled up to Paulson Stadium and walked into Gene Bishop Fieldhouse with my cheerleading coach and the rest of those associated with Eagle football, to watch the selection show for the 2012 FCS playoff bracket. I was standing next to the head coach’s wife when our side of the bracket popped up on

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It was a very unlikely matchup, but I’m not referring to just the semi-final football game now.

I was sitting on the bus after the game sulking with the rest of Eagle Nation, and I was writing, which I always did before and after games. I left a post on my Facebook to help console myself and Eagle fans. I started the post by saying, “You may remember the

jersey numbers, maybe even the names…”

But the thing is, I did not really remember the names or the numbers, and that became evident when we arrived back in Statesboro the next morning after the game. When our plane landed, I began checking all social media sites like so many people my age do, and I noticed that a Bison football player had followed me on Twitter. I was a little taken aback, just because it is not like an opposing cheerleader’s name is easy to find. Like the Bison, we don’t have our names on the back of our uniforms. We rarely even have our names in programs.

Although I thought it was a little strange, I decided to “follow” the player back. And that is really the end of my story — at least for another month.

Alabama and Notre Dame were playing for the National Championship Jan. 7, 2013, and as the duty of a football fan, cheerleader and coach’s daughter, it was only natural to absorbedly watch the game.

Sam Houston State and NDSU’s game had been on two days before, but I didn’t watch the game, as it would have been grueling to watch a game that we almost were in.

A GEORGIA SOUTHERN CHEERLEADER I cheered for Georgia Southern University from 2010 to 2014. I cheered inside the FargoDome in 2011 and 2012 during the FCS Playoffs. A North Dakota State University football player messaged me on Twitter back in 2012. We did not know each other at either of the two football games. This means we were no more than 70 yards apart for two years in a row before we ever knew of each other’s existence. We have been dating for over a year and a half now. After I graduated from Georgia Southern University, I moved to Fargo so we could begin a more normal geographical relationship. Though football will always be a commonality that binds us, our adventure outside the FargoDome continues.

Nevertheless, on the night of the FBS National Championship, I got a notification on Twitter which isn’t uncommon, but the Bison player that had followed me a month ago sent me a message, and that was uncommon.

“Our whole team is in agreement that GSU is the best team we’ve played by a long shot.”

After reading that, I was a little perplexed because most football players would not spend much time talking about a rival football team, much less give a compliment.

I was still on Christmas break, so messaging him back wasn’t going to hurt me. I would probably never hear from him again, much less ever see him. I messaged back.

“Really? Well, I’m sure they would take that as a very big compliment. Thank you, congrats again. At least we lost to the national champions.”

You would think that would be the end of my story — but it isn’t. Turns out we messaged each other back throughout the Alabama/Notre Dame game; we messaged each other the rest of the week and then the rest of two weeks. Three weeks went by, and I found myself driving to the Savannah, Ga. airport to pick up and physically meet one of Fargo’s beloved Bison players. You would think that would be the end of my story — but it still isn’t.

Now I live in Fargo and though I am still an Eagle at heart, I am also a Bison fan. It is really hard not to be if you’re a football fan.

It’s even harder when your boyfriend is still on the team.

Now Fargo is a new home for me, and I’ve met so many wonderful people on my adventure up North: Fargo residents, Minnesota natives, Bison fans, and the special people in between whose journeys have also brought them to Fargo. That’s a pretty cool story in and of itself.

So whether you’re a football fan, a Bison fan or just a believer in direction and hope: Don’t count all your losses as true losses, all the unlikely matchups as mistakes, and all your moments on the sideline as unimportant. Because just past a loss there could be a bigger win, just past unlikely matchups there could be a perfect match, and just past the sideline there could be the most thrilling adventure of your life.

Gift of Grace GIFT OF

GRACE

By Joe Kerlin | Photos by Sadie Lascelles

Who? CHARISM is a word that derives from a Greek word meaning “gift of grace.” CHARISM also stands for A Community of Homes And Resources In Service to Many. Pronounced “Care-ism,” it is a non-profit organization provides community outreach, mentoring and skill-building programs for at-risk kids and families in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Where?

On Sept. 30, a portion of the men’s basketball team visited Discovery Middle School to speak with a group of 6th graders.

Why? Werner and Dupree aren’t too far removed from their high school playing days and are maturing stars on the Bison men’s basketball team.

They related their personal struggles growing up to this group of middle schoolers. Werner and Dupree spoke about the challenges they faced when they were younger and how they were able to persevere. They also explained how those moments made them into the men they are today.

How? Are you interested in being involved with CHARISM and helping kids in the FM community? Visit charism. org/join-us for information about becoming a positive role model in a kids life.

Are you interested in receiving services from CHARISM to help a group of kids?

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Earlier this fall, Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dave Richman, sophomore forward Dexter Werner and sophomore guard Carlin Dupree teamed up with local non-profit organization CHARISM to speak with junior high students about being men of character, working toward goals and how hard work pays off.

Contact Jessica Ueland at 701-356-0262 or by email at jueland@charism.org for more information.

NDSU TAILGATING

HIGHLIGHTS WEST LOT from the

The changing weather and the coming of winter won’t stop Bison fans from a good tailgating experience. That is one of the many things that makes Bison football so legendary. We wandered around the lot before the Indiana State game to show some highlights of tailgating from the past month. Did we miss your sweet setup? Tweet at us (@bisonmag) or shoot us an email with your tailgating ideas and we’ll come find you at the next home football game.

By Cody Bickler Photos By J. Alan Paul Photography Photo by Repor Photography 10 8

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the dirty herd Live music, amazing food and plenty of Bison fans. What more could you ask for? Andy is the one responsible for the “Dirty Herd.� His dad was a member of the 12 Corner Stones, so they have been part of the crazy tailgating for years. Porkchop is the man behind the delicious food. On the menu was chicken, but it changes every week.

With a live band playing and an incredible chef, this is a spot all Bison fans need to check out.

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NDSU TAILGATING

bison ICE house Walking around the tailgating lot before Bison football games, you are bound to see something you don’t expect. That is the case when you walk by Rick’s Bison-themed ice house. His reasoning behind the ice house addition to his tailgating spot? His wife went inside one day and said they needed one for their tailgating to avoid being so cold during the harsh weather Fargo often brings. For Rick, it doesn’t get much better than this: Bison football and an ice house.

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NDSU TAILGATING

the thundering herd One of the best smelling tailgating locations every week comes from the far southeast part of the West tailgating lot. This is where the Thundering Herd are located. On the menu for the Indiana State game was some homemade brisket. It was as good as advertised. One of the most unique parts of the Thundering Herd was the garage door in the bar. It is dedicated for only Bison football players to sign.

Many famous Bison from over the years have shown up to sign their name and add to the history.

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B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • N OV E M B E R 2 014 Answers 1. 10 removed from 10-yard line marker 2. Yard hash mark removed 3. Color of heart on sign in crowd 4. Armband removed 5. Extra stripe on left cheerleader

KIDS ONLY

KIDS ONLY

B ISON

S WORD D TO FIN

MATT LARSEN MULTIMEDIA BRIAN GORDON REPLAY BOOTH SWANSON

WORD SEARCH

JERRY DOAN BRIAN SCHAETZ RIOPELLE LORENZ PRIORE

FREDRICKS TESCHUK BAALKE HENDERSON CARLIN

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walker’s word

BY STEVE WALKER

H

ow do you transition from a high school quarterback to a Division-1 college quarterback? What’s even more stressful is how do you step into the starting role for back-to-back-to-back national champions?

These were the exact questions Carson Wentz has faced this year, and he has since lived up to the hype that followed him from high school to North Dakota State University.

For most high school offenses, the playbook is quite simple. It has to be, because it’s not a full-time job like being a collegiate student-athlete. One of the biggest things that Wentz and every new college quarterback has to get used to is the size of the playbook. When you dive in to the different plays, formations and shifts, it’s not a stretch to see over a thousand plays in a college playbook.

And NDSU is no different. The good news for Wentz is that on a given week, Tim Polasek is not going to have that many plays on the play chart, but closer to 200-250.

The next big step when transitioning to a college playbook is the terminology. I remember a lengthy play to spit out in my high school huddle was “Trips Right 84.”

Now, Wentz is having to say multi-sentence plays in the huddle that incorporates formations, shifts, plays, checks and snap counts. That is one of the most difficult things to do, and you definitely have to be mentally sharp in order to verbalize to your huddle what’s going on.

Eight games in to the season and Wentz is looking great. You can see by his play on the field he has an understanding of the playbook and the terminology. When things 118

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The Progression of a Quarterback “Fellow classmates know when Wentz is in class, they see how he acts, and like it or not, he is constantly being evaluated. Then there are the media pressures from weekly interviews, post-game press conferences and making sure that you don’t say anything foolish that will make your opponents’ locker room next week.” get chaotic, Wentz answers the bell with his playmaking ability.

One thing that you hear people talk about is “the game slowing down” with his comfort level increasing every day, every game and every snap. Whether it be getting in to the right formation or pass protection at the line of scrimmage, he is doing it right and making smart decisions. If it’s either with his arms or his legs, Wentz is in a groove and continues to get better week in and week out.

Next comes the off-field aspect to being a Bison quarterback. You are still an everyday college student with the stresses of going to and passing class, doing your laundry without your mom around and thanking God the dining center provides hot meals on the table. On top of that transition, which is not easy, Wentz is in the limelight with everything he does.

Fellow classmates know when Wentz is in class, they see how he acts and, like it or not, he is constantly being evaluated. Then there are the media pressures from weekly

interviews, post-game press conferences and making sure that you don’t say anything foolish that will make your opponents’ locker room next week. Add on volunteer work in the community and the day-to-day activities of being a Division-1 athlete and you have about two full-time jobs.

As a quarterback, when things are going well you probably get too much credit, and when things aren’t going well you get too much blame. The good news is that we haven’t seen too many, if any, bad times and hopefully this continues.

It’s eight games in to the season and we are witnessing a great transformation of Wentz being the main guy in the locker room and on the field. Has every play been perfect? Of course not, but the good by far outweighs the bad, and when Wentz comes to the line of scrimmage, everyone in Bison Nation knows there is a chance to see greatness. Becoming the man in the hot seat is not for the faint of heart and I am happy to say that Wentz is doing a great job leading the charge.

1620 13th Ave. East -West Fargo 701.364.3725 - fargohotspring.com

Team Makers

BY PAUL BOUGIE

O

ver the past few months, Ken Zetocha, Terry Ludlum and myself have waxed on eloquently about what Team Makers does. How it helps student-athletes with there dreams of an education and the ability to participate at the high level that is done at Bison athletics.

Supporting The Cause But now, as I only have a couple of months left as the Team Makers president, I feel that this is the space to share the following words of advice, wisdom, call them what you will:

• Join Team Makers today.

• Support our student-athletes achieving their dream.

• Be part of the team.

• You can join for as little at $120 a year.

• Call a team maker today and join.

• Go to gobison.com and click on the Team Maker’s page.

If you have any questions you can ask me.

On game day, I can be found in the west tailgating lot, with my Das Horn (you can get from oneherd.com). Support the cause — it is all about Bison Pride.

* Paul Bougie is the President of Team Makers. 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.

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TAKE THE PATH OF MOST RESISTANCE. Our officer candidates are rigorously screened, tested and evaluated for the moral, intellectual and physical qualities required to lead Marines in defense of our nation. If you prove

you have what it takes to become a Marine Officer, the path of most resistance will lead to a life of distinction, purpose and honor. Few can be Marines. Even fewer can lead them.

MARINES.COM/FARGO If you think you have what it takes to lead Marines talk to a Marine Corps Recruiter about Officer Candidates School.

Capt Christopher Cory • 1142 17th St N, Fargo • 701-200-7911 • Christopher.Cory@marines.usmc.mil

swany says The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same: Bison Football Sustains A Culture Of Excellence

BY JOSH SWANSON

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Now talk about cliché.

I’ve always thought that quote was as useful as a two-dollar bill.

But in the case of Bison football, what else can you say? Here we are in November beyond the season’s halfway point and, as usual, the Bison are undefeated, slicing through opponents like a hot fork through Thanksgiving Day ice cream and pie. Assuming North Dakota State beat South Dakota State in the Dakota Marker game, which I am, NDSU is 9 – 0, with four of its wins over Top 25 ranked FCS opponents.

Oh, don’t forget to tack on that season opening demolition of Big 12 Iowa State in August.

That’s 33-smacking straight victories! The last time the Bison lost a football game, Reagan was in the White House, the top movie at the box office was Back to the Future, the new Apple Macintosh computer cost $2,495, and the gutted Bison Sports Arena was state of the art. Okay, while that’s not completely true, it only seems like it. The point is, this team just finds a way to win, time and time again, and again, and again, often by double digits. Which, by the way, is a lot in football, especially when playing ranked opponents 122

that give you their best shot every single game because you’ve won three straight national titles and hosted ESPN’s College GameDay in consecutive seasons. It’s rarified air as few teams in the history of all of college football – a history stretching back to when North Dakota’s adopted son, Teddy Roosevelt, saved college football in the early 1900s – are doing what our team is doing right now.

And you were worried because the Bison had a bevy of new starters on offense, including an untested quarterback and an almost entirely new offensive line.

Or were you nervous because the team had a new head coach, a largely new coaching staff and the athletic department a new athletic director? Look at how much good all that worrying did. Take some advice from your old pal, Swany. Sit back and enjoy it. Do you know how many fans would trade their favorite tailgating mug and hoodie to swap places with us? Lots. Pretty much all of them.

Just ask fans in Missoula, Mont., Cedar Falls, Iowa, Durham, N.H. or Grand Forks. Heck, even ask the Cowpokes in Laramie, Wyo. Life in Fargo is pretty darned good.

I told you in my August column not to count the Bison out. I told you to book your tickets to Frisco. In fact, rewind it back a bit further to this magazine’s February special edition back-toback-to-back championship issue

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“Bison Pride is a culture. It’s also a standard of excellence.

It consumes every single person, coach, player and staffer that’s working hard towards another championship run.” where I coined the phrase The Quad Squad as the nickname for this year’s Bison and told you, “Don’t bet against the Bison getting back to Frisco.”

I must be a genius. A mad, scheming, coffee-consuming numbers-crunching genius with a panache for peering into the future and giving you a peak

in these monthly get-togethers.

What else could possibly explain this litany of cash money predictions that has me looking like Nate Silver over at FiveThirtyEight.com?

As much as I like to think that I’m in the running for smartest monthly sports columnist slash attorney to reside in the greater Fargo metropolitan area, I – along with those who know me – can tell you that I am no genius and far from it.

But I do know the recipe for success when I see it. Take a gander at my twitter posts or get me going on the latest book I’m reading and you’ll learn faster than a John Crockett spin move that I’m a student of leadership and study those individuals, companies and organizations that regularly achieve success. This Bison team and those before it have something strikingly in common with individuals, like Roosevelt, organizations like the great 49ers teams of the 1980s, and companies like Starbucks, Boeing, and Zappos. That something is culture. A winning culture, a standard of excellence that permeates everything they do, an internal drive to outwork the competition, to put team before self and work towards a common set of goals.

Simply put (and this is cliché but it’s so incredibly true and

follow

important) culture eats strategy for lunch. Every time. Period.

Bison Pride is a culture. It’s also a standard of excellence. It consumes every single person, coach, player, and staffer that’s working hard towards another championship run. It’s the culture that has propelled this year’s team, a team that many erroneously thought lost too many pieces to get back to championship form, to remain atop the Missouri Valley Football Conference and FCS. That’s why I predicted, not so boldly, last February that this team would be a championship contender and be back in Frisco.

The championship culture is apparent in spades with this team, particularly from its senior class. They are singularly focused on what they want to achieve and everyone is on board to get there.

I’ll give you three quotes, among many, that demonstrate this culture and organizational excellence in play. Last December, after being named head coach, Chris Klieman showed his firm grasp of this culture when he said at his introductory press conference, “North Dakota State is a really special place, Bison football is unbelievably special.” That was more than lip service from a new coach – that was a bedrock understanding of what Bison Pride is all about. Fast forward to August. That culture was specifically mentioned by Christian Dudzik after NDSU ripped Iowa State 34 – 14 to send a message that the Bison weren’t going anywhere in 2014. “The tradition is the same. The culture is the same. The preparation is the same,” said Dudzik. “Same hard-nosed offense, same gangtackling defense, it’s the way we do things.”

@swany8

More recently, after hauling in a 75-yard backbreaking touchdown pass against Southern Illinois in a 38 – 10 homecoming victory, Trevor Gebhart was asked during the post-game press conference whether his big play was a long time coming. Instead of basking in the glory from his touchdown, Gebhart emphasized the team over the individual. “You do what you’ve got to do to help the team,” explained Gebhart.

“If you’re put in a spot to make a big play you go and make it. If you’re put in a spot to block the backside safety on a run play so we can spring it 60 yards, you make that play as well. Plays are made by this team all over the place that might not be seen necessarily as a big play but when we see it on tape we know it as a group and we rally around those a lot.”

That mentality is the engine that drives the machine, which is the process that leads to championships. How many guys talk about blocking a backside safety after they make the play of the game on homecoming that seals the win?! Guys on our team, that’s who.

That’s a championship culture and a standard of excellence – in short, it’s Bison Pride. So long as we have that kind of culture, no matter how much things outwardly appear to change, the more they will stay the same. That’s good news for Bison fans and bad news for the rest of the FCS.

Everyone up for the kickoff, the march is on!

*Swanson is a native of Maddock, ND, a proud NDSU alum and a life-long Bison fan.

POP QUIZ

What’s your favorite dish at Thanksgiving?

Do you prefer dark or white turkey?

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving dessert?

Stuffing, and sweet rolls (not a dish, but definitely the best part of the meal)

I like both!

Pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream

Jaclyn Scanlan The senior soccer player has started ten games while scoring one goal so far this season. She will continue to contribute with her leadership to help the Bison on their successful season.

SOCCER

Esley Thorton The senior linebacker from Bismarck has stepped into a starting role in a big way this season. He has played a huge part in the dominance of the Bison defense.

Stuffing

White

Warm pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream

FOOTBALL

Emma Kusick As one of two seniors on the women’s golf team, she brings leadership to the team. She has helped in the successful fall season for the golf team.

Blue cheese pears

White turkey

Pumpkin pie

Golf

Zac Johnson The senior from Fargo has played in two games this season. He is part of the offensive line that wins the battle in the trenches for the Bison every game.

For sure my Mom’s ham and my Aunt Kathy’s homemade rolls

I’m not a big turkey guy but I would choose white meat.

My favorite dessert has always been cookie salad!

Whipped cream, banana, and those little fudge-striped cookies!

Mashed potatoes and gravy

Dark turkey

Pumpkin cheesecake

Football

Trenton Olson The senior from Horace, N.D., has competed in every event for the Bison since his sophomore season. His best finish this season was at the Jackrabbit Fall Invitational where he finished tied for fifth.

Golf

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B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D N OV E M B E R 2 014

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

The ability to fly. It would save a lot of money on gas!

To have unlimited strength and crazy dance skills (couldn’t decide on just one)...so basically I want to be a mixture of Carlton “NotSoLittle” Littlejohn and Travis “IWillOutDanceYou” Beck.

The ability to fly. I could go anywhere I wanted to that way.

What piece of advice would you give your freshman-self?

To develop good study habits right away, and to appreciate my meal plan at the dining center more!

I would tell my freshman self to stop driving to class so I could avoid the countless parking tickets I’ve gotten on campus. I guess I should tell my senior self that too...

To let things go and not stress about what happens.

That you’ve prepared yourself enough to succeed and that’s all you can do.

After it’s over, you can’t change it so don’t worry and worker harder next time if need be.

The superpower I would choose is to be able to teleport anywhere I want!

I love to travel so that would be amazing to see the whole world!

If I could talk to my freshman self I would tell myself to enjoy every single moment! Soak it all in because it’s going to be over before you know it. These will be some of the best years of your life so never ever take it for granted!

I wish I could fly.

College goes by fast, have fun, study hard, and don’t stress out over little things.