Bison Illustrated October 2020

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F on r g i n g

C O M P L I M E N TA RY

In the face of uncertainty, NDSU studentathletes showcase their strength and dedication.

CONTENTS

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COVER STORY 16

FORGING ON

The last seven months have been hard on the sports world. Games, tournaments and entire seasons have been either postponed or canceled altogether. North Dakota State has not been able to avoid this sports exodus either. Despite student-athletes losing seasons and the chance to do what they love, they continue to forge ahead.

With little to no clarity in sight, it is the dedication, strength, mental toughness and desire that continues to push Bison student-athletes.

Somehow, they continue to be motivated to succeed. As we know, that is just the Bison way...

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10/2020

41

54

FEATURES 41

54

RECURRING

FOOTBALL

8 Editor’s Note

Everything you need to know ahead of North Dakota State’s football game with Central Arkansas on October 3.

58 Interactive

LEARFIELD

60 Swany Says

52 Team Makers

Learn about the newest addition to NDSU athletics and how Bison Sports Properties is helping NDSU grow the herd.

Brookelyn Dew Kaylee Hanger Alex Bartholomay Maddie Herzog Rocky Kreuser

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Why? Here’s Why. FROM NOLAN P. SCHMIDT

2020 has been a cesspool of negative energy and events.

So much so that there is no shortage of memes, GIFs and internet content suggesting that 2020 is the worst year in recorded human history.

It has gotten to the point that many have pondered the notion of what an American history course will look like decades from now. How will the future generations look at this year? And how will they compare it with other horrific time periods in history?

I’m not here to answer those deep internet inquiries. My main point is that negativity has superseded any positivity in the year 2020. So how do we get back into a positive mindset? Is that even a remote possibility? I read an

interesting quote earlier that (paraphrasing) said: “Having a positive attitude does not require you to be happy each day. It is having the mindset that even if you have a bad day, better days are ahead.”

I find that to be an especially apropos statement in 2020. It seems that society has only had bad days since March, but what we’re failing to understand is that there are better days ahead, regardless of how bleak things may look now.

That was an inspiring factor behind this issue. North Dakota State student-athletes have seen some downright horrible days in the past seven months. Seasons have been postponed, tournaments

FROM THE EDITOR

have been canceled. It sucks.

Yet, these student-athletes continue to move forward knowing that better days are ahead of them. It’s a mindset that so few have adopted in our society and the first ones that seem to have adopted it?

They are 18 to 22-year-olds.

Some would say that is irrational optimism. Why continue to forge ahead with no real endgame in sight? I would call it a fervent dedication to their sport, to their teammates, to their coaches and to the community.

Every student-athlete at NDSU continues to stay motivated with the hopes of competing once again.

Without much clarity, these young people are taking it day by day, enjoying their time with teammates and coaches in preparation for games that may or may not be played.

That is why they continue.

But why? Why put in all this work without any certainty of future competition?

Recently, the Bison cross country team posted an Instagram photo of themselves practicing. It was accompanied by this quote from Chuck Klosterman: “In North Dakota, life is about hard work. Everything is based on working hard, regardless of what it earns you.”

It was then followed up with this caption.

“With no competition in the foreseeable future, the words above have never rung more true. Between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., the Bison were working. For what? Not sure. But hard work feels good so we keep going.”

Frankly, if that does not motivate you, there is something wrong with you.

That is the sort of positive mindset we all need to adopt.

Whether we are striving to reach athletic, academic or professional goals, this is the attitude that puts us back on a normal path as a society.

And I say it again, those motivating us are 18 to 22-year-old kids. That is remarkable.

So in this world of negative energy, my challenge to you is simple: be a Bison. Embrace the mindset that better days are in front of us. Now more than ever, motivating ourselves and working hard to accomplish our goals has become difficult. However, we need hard work and motivation to get out society back to where it was.

Take a page from the Bison book and go out and grind...

OCTOBER 2020 | VOLUME 15 ISSUE 7 Bison Illustrated is a free publication distributed monthly (8 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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n terms of in-game action, this was the last play Bison fans saw of NDSU football. James Hendricks intercepted a pass at the goal line to seal

North Dakota State’s eighth national championship in nine seasons against James Madison. The Bison would defeat the Dukes 28-20 in the national title in Frisco, Texas.

Little did Bison fans, players, coaches and sports fans know that football would see an extended break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NDSU’s first three non-conference games in 2020 were canceled and their Missouri Valley slate was postponed to the spring.

The October 3 game against Central Arkansas will be the first time fans will get to see the Bison play football since this immortal moment in the program’s history.

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By Nolan P. Schmidt Feature Photo By J. Alan Paul Photography

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Forging On

he last seven months have been hard on the sports world. Games, tournaments and entire seasons have been either postponed or canceled altogether. North Dakota State has not been able to avoid this sports exodus either. Despite student-athletes losing seasons and the chance to do what they love, they continue to forge ahead.

With little to no clarity in sight, it is the dedication, strength, mental toughness and desire that continues to push Bison student-athletes.

Somehow, they continue to be motivated to succeed.

As we know, that is just the Bison way...

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Senior Brookelyn Dew keeps perspective and a positive attitude at the forefront.

Ready To Go

eeping perspective and a positive mindset should be at the forefront of our psyche, regardless of if we are athletes or professionals. Taking things into perspective and creating a positive outcome can be infectious to yourself and others. Athletics are a great example of where this philosophy rings true.

Have one conversation with senior midfielder Brookelyn Dew and you'll learn that she has adopted this mentality.

Along with NDSU's other fall sports, soccer saw their season postponed to the spring just as the regular season was set to begin. Rather than begin in late August, the senior and her teammates will look to play their first game sometime in February 2021.

Did this news alter Dew's attitudes towards playing soccer? No Did it place her in a negative headspace?

No Did it allow her to find the positives in this negative situation? Yes All of this when Dew has the option to set soccer aside for good as she plans to graduate with a degree in Psychology in December.

Despite games being moved and some being canceled altogether, Dew cannot stop talking about how good Bison soccer will be when they do inevitably get back on the pitch. Rather than dwell on the inability to compete, she highlights how much the team has improved in this extended "preseason" period.

That attitude will not only carry her far in athletics, but in life after soccer as well.

Dew discussed her decision to return for a spring soccer season

and her excitement about getting back on the pitch.

What was the team's reaction to seeing the fall season postponed considering you guys had not been able to play spring games or make your foreign trip to England either?

We were preparing to the very end and we kind of were operating under the idea that we were going to play so we trained like that. We trained really hard throughout preseason and we were a good two weeks in when Matt Larsen brought us into a meeting room. He said this hurts him as much as it hurt us and that we were the first ones to find out. That was amazing and the athletics staff has been great about making us feel cared for and comfortable. The whole room was silent though and they asked us if we had any questions, which obviously none of us did at that moment. It meant that we weren't going to play, that's all we needed to know.

We just took the night to think about it, the next morning we all met and decided to take the next day off. The following day, we were back and preparing for the season we hopefully have coming. We didn't know what it was going to be like, but everyone had the attitude that this is a really great time for us to get better.

We missed out on a lot of training in March, a couple of games and a trip to England. We were supposed to play the most games we've ever played last spring and we missed out on all of that.

The thought was that since we missed those chances, this is a great time to get our freshmen on board and our systems in place. That way, when we come to play in February, we know that practices are just as important.

The atmosphere has changed where everyone wants to be safe and cautious, but the mentality around here has not changed.�

- Brookelyn Dew

This prolonged period without games has some positives to it.

How has it helped the freshmen class and transfers get up to speed?

We do have a very smart group so they were picking it up quickly. When you think about it, preseason starts in August and you have two weeks before your first game. Now, we have all this time to train, put in our offense and defense and it's crazy to think how much we have improved even through COVID. We have had so much time to work on the details and bring everyone up to speed.

We have a really good opportunity this spring to have our freshmen ready to play. Usually when you bring in freshmen, even if they're studs, they have to know the system and know their role. Even if they are the best player on the team, they might not understand the way that we play. Because of this extra time, I feel like everyone has gotten on the same page. It's been really impressive.

How do you stay motivated when you and the team will go over a year without competing?

There is so much uncertainty. I am a senior and I missed out on playing a fall season and we will potentially play this spring. I'm most likely planning to stay and play next fall too, but there was so much uncertainty. We had to kind of pretend that everything was normal.

And we practice, but we also simulate games too. So we're actually competing once a week which has been really beneficial for us. We put on our jerseys and simulate a full game day and that gets us excited because we haven't played since March. It's a nice feeling to come here on Wednesdays, get dressed up and compete against someone even if it is against each other.

It is a very individualized motivation though. You have to find it within yourself and it really proves that not just anyone can pick up a soccer ball and decide to play college sports. This is a fulltime commitment.

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You had the option to move on from soccer since you are a senior. What was that decision-making process like for you and how did you come to that decision? Being a Fargo resident, did that factor in at all?

I graduate in December so I had that option where I could be done and move on with my life. I just wasn't ready to let it go.

I was promised 20 or so more games and I was really looking forward to this fall. Your senior year is when you make the most memories and impact on the team in a leadership role. I wanted a longer opportunity to continue that and I didn't think that I was ready to be done yet. When we had the opportunity to be able to stay all the way through next fall and guaranteed a full season and a chance at the NCAA Tournament, that's been the dream since I got here. We haven't been to the NCAA Tournament in the time that I've been here and that's always the goal along with winning the Summit League and beating SDSU and Denver.

This is always where I wanted to be. I came to NDSU camps, attended every game and watching year after year of all these teams that had success, I knew it was a program I wanted to be a part of. I wanted to find that success here and be with a team under a coaching staff that has a high-performance mentality and always wants to win.

Last year, we fell short and we didn't even make the Summit League Tournament. That hurt a lot. This year, we're coming back with talent and a lot of the same players. Everyone is pretty driven to get back to that and not having that opportunity this fall was heartbreaking. We wanted another chance to get to that tournament. This spring, we don't know if there will be an opportunity to have a full Summit League Tournament or NCAA Tournament. I felt like staying through the fall was a pretty easy decision.

How do you take these circumstances in stride ahead of the potential spring season?

It's about taking each day as it comes and taking things day by day. This is a good opportunity for me and all of my teammates to improve. I feel like since I have gotten to NDSU, I have made huge strides. Now, I feel like I'm getting to the point where I am on my game and I know what I need to do to improve. It's about fixing the little details at this point so it makes me excited that I get to compete against people other than my teammates in the near future.

We're a force to be reckoned with this year. I think we're going to kind of come out of nowhere this year. I don't think they're expecting us to be as good as we're going to be. We have a lot of talent in our freshmen class and all of our returners too. It's looking good.

What has this whole pandemic shown you about NDSU athletics as a whole?

The past speaks for itself. NDSU is known for having the championships, the winning mentality and the intensity within each program. You can tell that everyone is still that way. We could have just as easily used this as an excuse, take a step back, do schoolwork from home and train when it's convenient.

Dew At A Glance Senior

Midfield

Hometown: Fargo, ND

Started all 18 matches last fall, dishing out two assists which was tied for the team lead.

We could have taken the whole fall off, that was an option. They asked us at every step what we wanted to do and everyone's response was that we wanted to get back to it.

Matt Larsen coming in and talking to us, you could see how much it hurt him. We knew that they were fighting so hard for us to be able to play this fall. It was not NDSU that didn't want to play this fall. They have done everything in their power to keep us safe. I feel so safe here.

The other thing that has been so impressive is everyone's attitude.

You know there has to be budget cuts and things like that because we are not competing. If you were to walk around here, you would never know that was happening. The atmosphere has changed where everyone wants to be safe and cautious, but the mentality around here has not changed. Everyone is still focused on the student-athletes and making sure we're getting taken care of.

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Junior libero kaylee hanger and Bison volleyball have been working hard day by day since their season was postponed.

One Day At A Time

Photos By Tim Sanger, Randy Sartin and Lisa Venticinque

f you sit down and have a conversation with junior libero Kaylee Hanger, you may leave the conversation forgetting that the fall volleyball season was postponed.

Despite not being able to compete for the better part of a year due to COVID-19, Hanger still holds a tone and attitude of a student-athlete in season. In fact, the prolonged absence of competition for Bison volleyball has seemed to motivate the team even more.

The Bison are coming off a 13-16 season in 2019 where Hanger led the Bison with 368 digs. The Millstadt, Illinois, native also notched a Summit League Defensive Player of the Week honor in her sophomore season. North Dakota State will welcome back all but two players from last year’s team when the season commences in the spring. With an established core group of players, the Bison are poised to succeed in the Summit League when the season does get played.

However, one cannot ignore the absence of fall volleyball in Fargo. The Bison fan may be sitting at home clamoring for an evening at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse. That sentiment is no doubt felt throughout the entire college landscape. Despite there being no games this fall, there is still competition running rampant in the BBF on a daily basis.

So much so, that NDSU volleyball continues to improve, taking each day as a blessing.

While the future may seem cloudy on paper, the Bison are ready to dominate at a moment’s notice. Hanger’s competitive spirit and attitude are an embodiment of that.

Hanger discusses the postponement of the volleyball season and how NDSU volleyball has rallied, adapted and pushed forward.

What has been the team’s mindset throughout the summer and into the fall knowing that a fall season was not a guarantee?

The biggest part was taking things day by day and we were able to get back in and workout with coach [Jason] Miller in the summer. That was something I think we all were really excited about. Being able to get back sooner than most people were able to was definitely uplifting. Once we were starting preseason, we just wanted to get right into it and focus on getting better each day and not worry about if the season was going to be in the fall or spring. Our minds weren’t really focused on that, but they were focused on getting better.

The roster did not see drastic turnover in the offseason and this team has been on campus together for some time now. Chemistry and strength seem to grow in the hardest of times. How has the team continued to build chemistry on and off the court in such uncertain circumstances?

It’s about accountability especially when we weren’t with each other all the time. We were always checking in and making sure we were doing what we needed to do to put ourselves in the best position coming back. Having each other and leaning on each other during tough times has been really big for us. Now, we’re getting back to focusing on the little things and pushing each other day by day.

Hanger At A Glance

Junior

Defensive Specialist/Libero

Hometown: Millstadt, IL

Led the Bison with 368 digs in 2019.

On top of the little turnover your roster saw, you have brought in three freshmen. With this prolonged “preseason” time, has it been advantageous for you and the younger girls to get some extra practice time before actual competition?

This whole situation has really shown the dedication of NDSU student-athletes, coaches and administration. With the fall season being postponed and little clarity of a spring season right now, how do you and the team remain dedicated to your sport?

When we did find out our season was going to be pushed back, our mindset became that we get to give these younger girls extra time to get into what we want to do and how we do things here.

Working with coach Miller for that extra time has allowed us to get our bodies back to where we want them to be whenever we do go into a long season.

We have to keep our minds on our end goal and that is winning a Summit League championship. I don’t think that at any point during this pandemic, we have lost sight of that. That is really exciting to see. Keeping our minds on that part and getting work in before we start is key.

We’re living in a time where people (not just athletes) are having trouble motivating themselves to accomplish their goals.

How do you and the team remain motivated?

Everyone needs to make sure they are focusing on themselves through the hard parts and not trying to overwhelm each other. It’s about staying positive and keep encouraging. There are obviously going to be tough days, especially now that we’re prolonging our ‘preseason’. Staying encouraged and giving small feedback and trying to get as much work in as we can.

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Senior alex bartholomay has his eyes set on future competition.

Eyes On The Prize

lex Bartholomay has had many emotions over the last seven months. In one instance, he was elated. The senior distance runner captured a Summit League championship in the indoor 3000-meter run in late February. On course for a stellar outdoor season, Bartholomay was looking to add to his already loaded accolade list.

However, much like his teammates, Bartholomay was met with intense sadness upon learning that there would be no outdoor season. In fact, the global pandemic bled into Bartholomay’s senior cross country season this fall with the sport being postponed. As would any human, Bartholomay and his fellow teammates were frustrated.

They returned to campus ready to compete this fall. To be stifled again was incredibly disheartening.

Yet, Bartholomay is an optimist, who continues to place his eyes on the future and not the past. The frustration he feels is not a hindrance to him or his team. In fact, it is that frustration that continues to motivate Bartholomay for future competition. Channeling any negative thoughts into positive outcomes has prepared Bartholomay for when he can run competitively again.

Bartholomay discusses his roller coaster of emotions in the spring, his focus on the future and how he continues to work hard in hopes of competing soon.

Track & field went through some emotional times back in March. You won the Summit League championship in the indoor 3000-meter one week and the next week the outdoor season was canceled. How did you react to that news and how did you adapt given the circumstances?

Right away, it was a big shock to everyone, I think. We weren’t really expecting it, but we knew it could happen. We knew that COVID would be a problem, but we at least thought we’d get a meet or two outdoors

before anything too major happened.

Everything got shut down within a couple of days there and we all packed up and got sent home. Throughout the whole process, Andrew [Carlson] was talking to us and we were all pretty sad, but he kept in contact with us and made sure we were all right.

During the rest of the spring, Andrew did a good job of trying to keep it fun for us, training-wise. He would have us plan to go out and run on a road one day, on our own, but we would record our times. So we would do little competitive things like that within our team. That helped take some of the pressure off going out and training every day. It made us feel like we were still training for something.

Many thought that fall sports would not be impacted by the pandemic.

However, fall sports were postponed to spring back in August. That has to be frustrating as a student-athlete. How have you channeled that frustration into motivation and kept your eyes forward?

It’s about keeping your eyes focused on the future. For me, it took a couple of days in the spring because I did take it pretty hard. I just told myself that there was nothing I could do and that I had to go out and get the dream done on my own and look towards the future.

When we get to compete again, we’ll be ready to go. Then we found out cross country was going to be canceled, but I have tried to keep the same mindset through all of this. You have to keep going outside every day and putting in the work.

Have you had to alter the way you prepare for each season given the switch up in seasons?

For the most part, it hasn’t changed too much. Once we got back to school this fall, we have kind of built up a little bit slower than what we would do for most cross country seasons. We’re still showing up

Bartholomay At A Glance

Senior

Distance

Hometown: Bowman, ND

Won the indoor 3000m Summit League championship in 2019

to practice every day, doing workouts and our long runs. Andrew has just switched it to where we basically have one extra “easy” day once a week. Normally, we would not have that. For the most part, we’re trying to treat it like we’re in season still.

you get that competitive feeling with your teammates. You’re pushing each other and if you’re doing a hill workout, you want to beat each other up that hill. It’s not the same as a race, but you have to accept it as a competitive feeling.

How do you continue to stay motivated in a time full of negative thoughts and how does that relate to your teammates?

What has this pandemic shown you about NDSU studentathletes, coaches and administrators?

It helps when you have practice every day. It’s a time where we can come together and put in that work together. We are treating it like any other year where we show up to practice and work hard together. That is kind of what we’re used to as student-athletes. Showing up to practice each day holds everyone accountable. We have had some guys who have had to quarantine and everything, but we still check in on them during that process. If they’re healthy, we check in and make sure they’re still training. We have a good group of guys that are able to look towards the future and understand what we’re going through. We know there will be another chance for us to compete at some point.

We have a culture around here of winning. All of the studentathletes that come here understand that too. We understand that you have to be putting in work year-round to continue that culture of winning conference and national championships.

Student-athletes understand that even if we are not competing right now, we cannot take a break. If we take a break, we’re going to lose that chance coming back for more championships in the future. We were in contact with coaches and administrators and they helped keep us motivated through it all. They are motivated individuals too. I think it is that culture that we do have that will help us through it all.

Distance running really is a year-round sport. How do you keep a competitive edge over the course of 12 months, especially now?

It’s knowing that we’re going to get that competition back at some point. There will be days where we’ll be doing a workout and 28

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Sophomore maddie herzog remains competitive despite the circumstances.

Keeping An Edge

Photos By Ryan Workman

n a sports world that has been almost entirely dictated by the ebbs and flows of a global pandemic, golf is somewhat of an anomaly.

The game already has regulations put in place for players and spectators to remain safe. For the most part, you are already socially distanced from your playing partner and others while on the course. The mere fact that the game is played outside coupled with that built-in distancing makes it one of the safer sports to play and watch in our world.

Never the less, North Dakota State had the fall half of their golf season canceled because of the pandemic. While the Bison are trying to schedule themselves into a few fall tournaments, it has yet to be seen whether or not NDSU will compete this fall.

What has been the timeline for you and the team throughout this pandemic? Golf is a year-round sport, so how have you handled the summer and the fall postponement?

We do still have the opportunity to play in a couple of tournaments this fall. That hasn’t been finalized quite yet with dates and places or anything though. I think all of the coaches in the area are trying to put together tournaments or make something work. Obviously, they would be smaller tournaments with not as many teams. In the summer, we were actually playing pretty much usual golf. It was very normal, but we couldn’t take the pins out or anything like that. Other than that, it was relatively normal. We were playing and practicing with the hope that we could compete.

I’m sure once spring rolls around we’ll be ready. We’ll be excited to play, that’s for sure.”

This presents an issue, obviously. While the fall slate is important, the final results are used - Maddie Herzog as building blocks and not for a conference championship. These building blocks pave the way for a potential conference championship in the spring. Without fall competition, NDSU has to find other ways to build towards a successful spring.

In a year-round sport like golf, this constant fervor for competition and improvement is vital to the success of players.

Sophomore Maddie Herzog’s case is no different in that respect.

Regardless of if the Bison compete this fall or not, Herzog says the most important thing is to keep a competitive edge.

Golf is a unique sport considering it already has built-in “social distancing” into the gameplay as well as it being played outside.

Did anything change as far as logistics for you during summer training and into the fall?

During the summer, it was pretty much the same tournaments as usual. Some tournaments didn’t allow caddies because they want to limit the number of people. There weren’t rakes in the bunkers and you’d see the foam pool noodles in the cups. You also couldn’t show up to your tee time an hour before. They wanted it 30 minutes before to limit the people on the range. Other than that, there was not a whole lot different. Since we’re outside, you can stay distanced, but usually, you hug your playing partner at the end of the round. This summer, we usually did the fist bump.

The Bison seem to be doing that and remain hungry to play once again.

Herzog discusses the changes in golf throughout the pandemic and the absence of the fall slate.

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herzog At A Glance Sophomore

Hometown: Detroit Lakes, MN

Shot a 67 as a freshman at the Red Rocks Invitational, the third-best single round in school history.

Currently ranked seventh in NDSU history in career scoring average.

For the team, the fall is not so much about results, but more about staying sharp ahead of spring tournaments. Without a full fall slate, how do you continue to stay sharp and advance your game?

Conference is in the spring and that is the main goal for us. The fall is more about keeping your edge, keeping your game going and staying competitive I would say. Obviously, a lot can change from October to February, but being able to keep that competition going is big. In North Dakota, you can’t go outside in the winters so we hit in the bubble and we play games in there. That is a good way to keep the competition going within the team too. It will be different not being able to play those four or five tournaments, but I’m sure once spring rolls around we’ll be ready. We’ll be excited to play, that’s for sure.

When you are playing year-round in a sport like golf, how do you remain competitive? How do you continue to keep a competitive edge when golf really never stops?

It’s not a complete individual sport, but you are kind of out there by yourself. You have to grind through it. I am a competitive person, so keeping that competitive edge is not anything challenging. From not playing in any tournaments and that first tournament back you have to remember that it is a tournament and there are rules. You can’t just go and pick your ball up or drop a ball and hit it because you need to count every shot and try your best with every shot. Keeping that in mind is important and it is tough to do.

What do you think this pandemic has shown about NDSU athletics in general?

We just want to play. We have dedicated our lives to our sports and we just love to play. You ask 99 percent of the kids out here and they would want to be out there playing. They want to have the opportunity. I live with a couple of volleyball players and they just wish they were playing. It just goes to show that we really love what we do and we want to play. That’s really all it is.

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Now a senior, rocky kreuser looks to guide Bison basketball back to the top of the Summit League mountain.

Forward Thinking

Photos By Richard Carlson/Inertia, Dave Eggen/Inertia and John Nutt

e live in a world of “what if”. Pondering different courses of action and their outcome is something that will always be human nature.

Take us back to the spring, what kind of mindset did the team have following your Summit League Tournament win and then having the NCAA Tournament canceled?

In the case of Bison men’s basketball, that question will be asked over and over for years to come. Following NDSU’s second consecutive Summit League Tournament victory, the Bison looked like an attractive upset pick in the NCAA Tournament. Not long after the historic victory, that notion was dropped entirely. The NCAA Tournament was canceled, leaving fans, players, coaches and administration alike to wonder “what if?”.

There was heartbreak. It was inevitable.

The fact that you work so hard for so long with a bunch of guys you love and care for and something like that happens, it’s going to hurt. We found out that we wouldn’t get to play at all and it was just done, canceled, not postponed, or anything. That hurt a lot too.

Unfortunately, we will never be able to find out that answer to that question.

We can speculate, articulate and opine all we want, but it will not change anything.

Yet, we fail to consider just what that could do to a basketball team from a mental perspective. Dwelling on that miserable turn of events could linger and eventually impact the Bison teams of the future.

Rocky Kreuser is quick to note that while it was a challenge to find closure, it has been found. Now, with a new look Bison roster, Kreuser and the Bison are hungry to right the inevitable wrongs of 2020.

Kreuser spoke on last year’s untimely end and what the future holds for the Bison men.

Then we said goodbye to our seniors, four guys who were huge for us last year. After that, we went into the quarantine period which was really tough for a lot of guys everywhere in the country. We were meeting on Zoom once a week and we got home workout plans, but if you don’t have weights, you’re not doing as much as you are here. That was the weirdest part because it felt like we were stuck at home and it felt like we weren’t getting stuff done.

It was a breath of fresh air to get out of that isolation and get to come back here, see the new guys, the new coaches and get to work like we used to. It almost felt like it was normal, but everything was different with new procedures and things. It really did feel like we were back at home.

We focus on the now, on what we can control and what we can control is working hard for the Summit League championship whether that is this year, next year or whenever, so we can go to the next March Madness whenever that may be.”

- Rocky Kreuser Was there a moment in the offseason where you and the team found some closure in that situation? Obviously, there will always be that “what if” question, but I’m sure you guys had to turn your focus to this season too.

It was really difficult. I don’t think there was an exact moment or an event that really gave us that closure. For the seniors, I know a couple of them have pro basketball aspirations with Tyson [Ward] playing in Germany right now. Jared [Samuelson] had his eyes set on grad school and I know Chris [Quayle] is still in grad school here.

We still do keep in touch with the guys and I think that is huge. If it was a clean break, it would be really difficult. We focus on the now, on what we can control and what we can control is working hard for the Summit League championship whether that is this year, next year or whenever, so we can go to the next March Madness whenever that may be.

For the first time in a few years, you have a host of new faces, players and coaches. This program is built on how close-knit and cohesive the team is. How have you guys gone about building that chemistry with the new guys?

You go from having pretty much the same exact team two years in a row to getting rid of a bunch of key guys and bringing in a lot of freshmen. There have been advantages, but there have

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also been disadvantages. With some different people going into quarantine, you can’t always work out together. The advantages are that in this whole pandemic, the goal is to keep your circle as close-knit as possible. You’re not with a bunch of people or going out with random people, you’re pretty much with the same guys.

We’re spending an absurd amount of time together and whether you like it or not, you’re going to get to know people really quickly. That has been huge.

It’s just spending time together that has allowed us to build up that chemistry. That is what we did before and I think that is what we’re going to do again.

And how much accountability do you take as a senior in that duty? How important is it for you to take on a leadership role and assimilate the new players?

A lot of that team building falls on the captains and Tyler [Witz].

We’ve been here and we’ve been through it. It is crazy to look back and this is already my fourth year here. You remember the times when you were a freshman and how weird it was. Now, throw on the pandemic and things just have to be confusing to these freshmen. We’re doing our best to ease everyone into this situation. I hope we’re doing a good job.

We’re still wondering what the college basketball season will look like. We have a date of November 25, but a lot needs to be sorted out before then. How have you guys stayed on course and motivated?

Our main saying in the program is ‘focus on what you can control’ and focusing on today. That has been the biggest motivator during this pandemic. Looking at how we can get better today. Obviously, there will be thoughts in your head about if we’re going to play and when we’re going to do stuff. We’ve done some competition stuff during periods of this preseason process that have helped guys stay loose and engaged as much as possible. It’s got to be a mental thing though. That is on the captains too to keep everyone involved in everything and so far we’re doing a pretty good job of that.

The response from NDSU during this pandemic has been one of great success, especially when you take into account other schools in the nation. What do you think this “pandemic era” says about North Dakota State student-athletes, coaches and administration?

kreuser At A Glance Senior

Forward

Hometown: White Bear Lake, MN

Averaged 10 points per game in 2019-20, third on the roster.

gas or going to the dining center. Yet, the limited amount of cases we have had says a lot about our student-athletes, coaches and staff in this building.

We are dedicated to not only helping ourselves and our team but everyone else in this athletic community. There has to be a huge want to play your season and play for the Fargo-Moorhead community. Without that want, I don’t think that is getting done.

It’s the Bison family and we’re all together as one. There are going to be moments of weakness because you can get COVID pumping

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The March Is On! Everything you need to know for October 3 at the Fargodome.

Photos By Hillary Ehlen

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Scouting Report:

Central Arkansas Bears

A

Scouting Report A common theme throughout the Southland Conference is high-powered offense with defensive prowess coming second. While Central Arkansas has enjoyed success in recent seasons, the Bears seem to fall into that common Southland trend.

Nathan Brown's team surrendered nearly 408 yards per game to opposing offenses in 2019. On the flip side, the Bears only averaged 381 yards as an offense last seasons with almost 293 yards coming through the air.

2019: 9-4 (7-2 in Southland Conference) 2019 Finish: Lost 24-14 to Illinois State in FCS Playoffs Head Coach: Nathan Brown (Third Season): 15-9 before 2020 season.

Program On The Rise: The Bears have qualified for the FCS Playoffs three of the last four seasons. This included a 31-24 victory over Illinois State in 2016's playoffs.

2019 Leaders Rushing: Carlos Blackman (Graduated) - 698 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns.

Leading Returner: Kierre Crossley - 303 rushing yards.

Passing: Breylin Smith (Returner) - 3,704 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, 64.5 completion percentage.

Receiving: Tyler Hudson (Returning) - 55 receptions, 975 yards, 12 touchdowns.

Defense: Juan Jackson (Graduated) - 67 total tackles Leading Returner: TJ Campbell (Linebacker) - 65 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble.

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That's not to say Central Arkansas is a slouch of a team by any means. In 2019, they were still able to capture valuable wins over Austin Peay and perennial Southland power Sam Houston State.

Much of this was thanks to the play of Breylin Smith under center. Smith, now a junior, threw for 3,704 passing yards in 2019 with 32 touchdowns through the air. He was an All-Southland second-teamer as well as a first-team sophomore All-American according to HERO Sports.

While the Bears seem to show cracks on the defensive side of the ball, Smith's talent alone could keep them competitive against NDSU. However, with the Bison and their high-octane offense, it may take a heroic effort.

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Scouting Report:

north dakota state bison

i

Scouting Report It's really hard to find a term that adequately describes the 2019 North Dakota State team that ran through the FCS en route to their eighth national title. Buzzsaw may be the best descriptor as the Bison outscored their opponents by a staggering average of 24.9 points per game over a 16-game campaign last year. Not only that, but NDSU was also able to average 496.5 total yards per game on offense over the course of the season. That was met with an equally dominant effort on defense. The Bison's Code Green defense surrendered a paltry 12.3 points per game along with just 274.7 yards per game to opposing offenses.

One of the key cogs in the 2019 machine was quarterback Trey Lance. Perhaps one of the most gifted athletes NDSU has ever had, Lance led the Bison in rushing and passing yards. He was able to find the endzone a combined 42

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times in 2019. The most staggering thing? Lance did not turn the ball over once, failing to fumble or throw an interception in 16 starts.

The difference in this game may come down to just how powerful NDSU's offense is. Nearly every single weapon has returned for 2020 and 2019's offense was already considered one of the best in program history. On paper, its hard to find a weakness anywhere on the field. Against a potentially porous defense in Central Arkansas, the Bison may have themselves a field day on October 3.

2019: 16-0 (8-0 in Missouri Valley Football Conference) 2019 Finish: Defeated James Madison 28-20 in the FCS national championship.

Head Coach: Matt Entz (Second Season): 16-0 2020 season.

The FCS Juggernaut: The Bison have dominated the FCS since 2010, winning eight of the last nine national championships and holding a nearpermanent residency in Frisco, Texas.

2019 Leaders Rushing: Trey Lance (Returning) - 1,100 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns.

Key Returner: Adam Cofield - 813 rushing yard, 12 touchdowns Passing: Trey Lance - 2,786 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 66.9 completion percentage.

Receiving: Christian Watson (Returning) - 34 receptions, 732 yards, 6 touchdowns.

Defense: Jackson Hankey (Returner) - 127 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 1 sack.

Key Returner: Michael Tutsie (Safety) - 105 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 7 interceptions.

what you need to know

i

In accordance with the Fargodome, the City of Fargo, Fargo Cass Public Health and NDSU, the game against Central Arkansas will hold a maximum of 10,000 people inside the Fargodome. The reduced crowd size and other measures are in place to create a safe game environment for fans, studentathletes and coaches of both programs.

Parking And Entering The Fargodome Fargodome parking lots, designated NDSU parking lots and the Fargodome east ticket lobby will open at 12 p.m. Fargodome doors will open 30 minutes earlier than usual at 12:30 p.m. to allow additional spacing for entry. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Tailgating is not allowed at all on October 3. Also, parking in designated lots will be limited to passenger vehicles only.

Meaning, that recreational vehicles, buses and trailers will not be allowed at the Fargodome. Those that have reserved parking or tailgating passes will retain their spots.

Bags are discouraged, and patrons should be mindful of bag size restrictions outlined in the Fargodome event guidelines and policies. Metal detectors will continue to be used at all entrances.

Full event guidelines and policies can be found at fargodome.com/guidelines-policies 47

what you need to know

M

Social Distancing And Mask Guidelines Masks will be required upon entering the Fargodome and must be worn throughout the duration of the game. For those that do not have a mask, one will be provided.

Failure to follow the directions of event personnel or failure to wear a mask (when not eating or drinking) could result in ticket revocation and the loss of ticket privileges in the future.

Ticket holders will be assigned to their season ticket location. However, additional seats throughout the stadium will be left empty for fans who wish to relocate for additional space.

Open seats are first-come, first-serve in the following designated physical distancing areas: • Sections 7-9 (Rows AA-II) • Sections 10-12 (Rows A-II) • Sections 13-15 (Rows P-Z) • Section 23 (Rows R-KK) • Section 24 (Rows CC-II) • Section 29 (Rows CC-II) Concourse Guidelines Fargodome concession stands will be open with additional protection measures at each location.

Hand sanitizer will be available near entrances and restrooms. Also, floor stickers will provide guidance for fans to safely distance from others.

Game programs will not be available for sale, but a free digital game program will be accessible through the NDSU Athletics mobile app. The app is free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Before Kickoff For the eighth time in nine years, NDSU will raise a new national championship banner into the rafters of the Fargodome during a pregame ceremony. The Bison have won 16 football national titles since 1965.

Also before the game, NDSU will introduce the Bison football senior class prior to the team taking the field.

This recognition is typically held during the final regular-season game each fall.

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watching from home?

f

Fans who do not have tickets to the game may watch the game live on the NBC North Dakota television network or visit one of the many NDSU Team Makers preferred watch locations to support local businesses that support the Bison.

Radio coverage of the game will be available on the Peterson Farms Seed Bison Radio Network. The network can be heard on 25 stations across North Dakota and Minnesota.

Buffalo Wild Wings 1515 19th Ave N Fargo VFW Post 7564 444 Sheyenne St West Fargo Barcode Bar & Grill 835 23rd Ave E West Fargo

Dusty’s Tavern Team Makers preferred watch locations 620 Front St around Fargo-Moorhead are: Casselton Ramada

by Wyndham 3333 13th Ave S Fargo Holiday Inn 3803 13th Ave S Fargo Town Hall Bar 103 Main Ave W West Fargo SideStreet Grille & Pub 404 4th Ave N Fargo Woody’s Bar & Grill Find a full list of Team Makers watch sites at ndsuathleticfund.com.

1550 32nd Ave S Fargo

Applebee’s 2350 45th St S Fargo Buffalo Wild Wings 1501 42nd St SW Fargo

Buffalo Wild Wings 2201 1st Ave N Moorhead

Mobile Ticketing Regardless of if you are heading to the Fargodome for the football game or looking forward to your next NDSU sporting event, mobile ticketing is the future at NDSU. Not only do mobile tickets aid in the safety and health guidelines in today's world, but they are incredibly convenient as well.

No longer will you need to fumble in your pocket or purse for tickets. With mobile ticketing through NDSU athletics, tickets are now optimized for use on your smartphone. This makes purchasing and transferring tickets mighty simple.

It also allows for safe entry into a venue while helping to eliminate lost or stolen tickets.

Not only will mobile ticketing be employed for the October 3 football game, but it will also be encouraged throughout the athletic year. Take a step up with your tickets today with mobile ticketing at NDSU. Find out more information and sign up for a mobile ticket account by heading to GoBison.com and following these steps: 1. Hover over the "Tickets" tab on the top of the page.

2. Click on "Mobile Tickets" in the left-hand column.

TEAM MAKERS

Meet The Team Makers Executive Committee GET TO KNOW TEAM MAKERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. How did you first get involved with Team Makers?

Where would you like to see Team Makers go in the next 5-10 years?

Steve Walker asked me to join his fundraising team several years ago.

I would love to see the membership continue to grow at a steady pace, and at some point, help propel us to the next level. It’s a rewarding organization to be a part of, so if you’re not a member--you’re truly missing out!

What interested you about becoming a part of the Team Makers Executive Committee?

I wanted to become more involved and help out however I could to grow the organization, and also help continue the commitment we have to the success of all our athletic programs.

What would you say you enjoy the most about being on the Team Makers Executive Committee?

Meet Todd Kadrmas Title: At-Large Board Member, Fundraiser and Marketing Committee Member.

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Learning a tremendous amount on a deeper level about how the Team Makers organization operates. It’s about being a part of shaping its future to ensure we continue to give our coaches and studentathletes, of all sports, the resources they need and the opportunity to compete at a high level and win championships.

In your time on the Executive Committee, how have you seen Team Makers evolve?

Derrick Lang has taken over for the legendary Pat Simmers and has done a tremendous job through the transition and moving us forward. Brandon and Helena continue to take on more and do an incredible job. The budget and needs continue to grow and we’re figuring out ways to get it done.

What are some of the rewards of being a member of the Team Makers Executive Committee? What are some of the challenges?

The best rewards of being on the Executive Committee are seeing the work we do pay off, meeting incredible people, seeing the coaches and studentathletes win championships and compete at a high level in EVERY sport, and the student-athletes getting a great education.

The biggest challenge this year has been COVID and how that has thrown a wrench into everything. Another challenge is combating the myths that Team Makers is “A good ol’ boys club” or that you have to donate a ton of money to be a member. Whether you’re a $100 member, a Full Scholarship member or above--your membership matters and you are a big part of the success!!

In this crazy time (especially with no sports), what is the best way to support Team Makers?

Continue to make investments and donate money. The expenses and scholarship bills are still due--even if the teams are not competing. If we want to continue having the success we have had--we need your support!

Meet Mark Sellin Title: At-Large Board Member How did you first get involved with Team Makers?

I have been a Team Maker member for 26 years and was invited by current members to join. My involvement grew over time as a contributor, a fund drive member and heading up the HawleyBison Golf Open the last 13 years.

What interested you about becoming a part of the Team Makers Executive Committee?

Taking the next step as a Team Maker member brought me to the Executive Committee. Being a part of this committee is just another opportunity to give back to the university.

What would you say you enjoy the most about being on the Team Makers Executive Committee?

North Dakota State is a special place. I have heard this comment several times from coaches, administrators, staff, and student-athletes. The funny thing is when you have been around NDSU you whole life you don’t realize how special it is. What makes this place special? The people make NDSU the place it is today.

In your time on the Executive Committee, how have you seen Team Makers evolve?

The evolution is ongoing. The reason Team Makers exists is to support NDSU student-athletes. This committee is

constantly looking for new avenues to make our organization better and provide opportunities for our student-athletes. It all starts with membership and we would love for you to be apart of our team.

Where would you like to see Team Makers go in the next 5-10 years?

Our current goal is to have 5,000 members. Expanding our membership is key to supporting our student-athletes. Expanding our membership means we need to expand our geographical footprint and in turn make Bison Nation a national brand. 10,000 members in 5-10 years? Yes, it is possible.

What are some of the rewards in being a member of the Team Makers Executive Committee?

What are some of the challenges?

The biggest reward of being a part of the executive committee is seeing firsthand how our organization supports Bison Athletics. This financial and promotional support has brought tremendous dividends to our university, our community and our student-athletes. The biggest challenge to our organization would be complacency. Our committee is a group of dedicated individuals that will not allow that to happen.

In this crazy time (especially with no sports), what is the best way to support Team Makers?

Get involved with Team Makers by attending one of our lunches where you can meet other members and ask questions. This is a perfect opportunity to see what our organization is all about.

You can be a member for as little at $100 and be on the Bison Band Wagon when we start playing again.

Growing

the herd Learn about the newest addition to NDSU athletics and how Bison Sports Properties is helping NDSU grow the herd.

As NDSU’s reach has grown throughout the country, the athletic department has taken steps to continue to build the Bison brand. The most recent example of this is the partnering of NDSU athletics and Learfield/IMG College. Together, the two parties created Bison Sports Properties.

An extension of the athletic department, 54

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Photo By HILLARY EHLEN

O

ne constant seems to ring true throughout North Dakota State’s illustrious athletic history: the Bison are always growing. Whether it is through fans and the growth of Bison Nation or financial support from sponsors, the Bison herd is constantly evolving and getting bigger by the day.

BSP aims to grow the herd. Whether that is through multimedia rights or corporate sponsorships, Bison Sports Properties aims to grow the loyal and dedicated fanbase for NDSU. Learn more about Bison Sports Properties and Learfield from BSP general manager Josh Hartman.

NDSU Athletics just recently partnered with Learfield to create Bison Sports Properties. What specific reasons brought both sides to team up and help bolster the athletic department’s visibility throughout the Midwest?

help serve our partners objectives in a creative way.

I think some people see Learfield as a completely separate entity, but in fact, they work so closely with athletic departments.

How vital is it to have that constant collaboration with the athletic department?

It’s the key to all our partnerships, if we don’t have strong relationships within the department, we can’t effectively serve our partners. Being in the GM role the past four years, this is one of the more underrated aspects of my job. Creating trust is key with everyone in athletics.

Like you said at the beginning of the article NDSU Athletics is always growing. By partnering with Learfield/IMG College, NDSU will be able to leverage relationships and resources to bring in large national partners, as well as connect Bison fans with local businesses. Take advantage of business arms that Learfield/IMG offers including Paciolan, CLC and Sidearm, along with the Multimedia Rights. The success they have had on the field over the past decade speaks for itself, but now having a sports marketing company utilize their resources will help take Bison athletics to the next level.

What are some specific examples of how Bison Sports Properties has bolstered NDSU’s reach throughout our community and beyond since its inception?

Briefly, what was the timeline/history behind Bison Sports Properties?

With the help of Learfield and Bison Sports Properties, NDSU Athletics now has the opportunity to align with more businesses and corporate sponsors in the future. How vital is business and corporate sponsor support for an athletic department?

This has been a property Learfield/IMG has coveted for years, not just because of the winning culture and tradition, but because of the opportunity in the market and region.

The property started in January of this year and we had our full staff in Fargo in March.

You have a team of three at Bison Sports Properties. How important was it to create a strong team for something such as this?

And what do you think the BSP excels in the most?

We are an extension of the athletic department, so our team is truly much larger than the three of us. We work hand in hand with the marketing department and senior staff on a day to day basis. The hiring process was key, having someone join the team from within Learfield/IMG College was important as well as hiring someone with local connections and relationships.

Being able to come up with concepts that

We have been able to introduce unique best practices and create new inventory and marketing strategies for our partners.

We have a strong digital team and they are great at creating new concepts and ideas for us to further generate revenue.

We have strengthened national and local relationships and brought new partners on board.

This is fundamental to the success of our athletic programs and you see it with the success of our Team Makers program.

Corporate and community support allows for a great student-athlete experience and for our student athletes to continue to compete at a high level on the field of play and in the classroom.

Bison Sports Properties also handles multimedia rights for NDSU Athletics which includes radio and television rights.

How does Bison Sports Properties go about handling all of NDSU’s multimedia rights (considering there are so many facets to that side of the job)?

We work closely with the athletics staff and our Radio and TV team’s in Plano, TX

and Jefferson City, MO. Athletics has had these relationships and negotiated these deals locally for many years. Our team is able to look at other similar properties that Learfield/IMG College works with and get comparable market size demos and see how the rights agreements should align. Having a state-wide radio and tv network at any level of Division 1 Athletics is special.

What are some things that fans/our readers may not be aware of about Bison Sports Properties/Learfield?

The size and reach of Learfield/IMG College.

With over 180 schools/properties and all the other ancillary businesses (ANC, CLC, SME, Levy Restaurant Concessions, Sidearm, Paciolan, etc.) we are truly a full suite of services for athletic departments.

What have been some of the biggest successes of Bison Sports Properties since its inception?

It has been great to see the support corporate partners have for the Bison. We knew that coming in, but to be able to get out in the community and have great conversations about how NDSU athletics can help with local and national businesses has been a one of a kind experience.

What have been the biggest challenges in taking over a duty that was once handled by the athletic department? Also, what are some of the general day to day challenges Bison Sports Properties faces?

Building relationships and trust with our corporate partners. Athletics has handled their marketing/sales internally for years and it is always a transition when there is change.

In your opinion, what is the most satisfying part about working for Bison Sports Properties and with NDSU Athletics?

Seeing the passion our fans and community have for our athletic programs. Working with the athletics department staff and building relationships with them and our corporate partners. NDSU and Fargo have a unique culture that can’t be touched by many places in the country and we are looking forward to helping grow the NDSU brand and Bison Sports Properties.

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wordsearch

First Down Touchdown Kickoff 56

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March Endzone Bison

Bears Code Green Fumble

Interception

herd trivia question3

true

question1

question2

true

Who did Bison men’s basketball defeat in the semifinals of last year’s Summit League Tournament?

or

false

A. Oral Roberts B. North Dakota C. Denver D. Omaha

Tod Brown is entering his 14th season as NDSU’s baseball coach.

or

false In 2019, Bison volleyball had three players with more than 200 kills.

question4 In 2019, how many Bison soccer players logged at least 1,000 minutes on the pitch?

A. 10 B. 6

question6

question5

true or

false 58

C. 3 D. 9

Up until last season, Bison wrestling had not had an individual Big 12 champion.

BISON ILLUSTRATED o c t o b e r 2 0 2 0

Across its history, how many team titles has the NDSU women’s cross country team won?

A. 10 B. 13

C. 7 D. None of the above

question7

true or

false

Bison women’s golf has lowered their team stroke average every year since 2012-13.

question8

question9

Who did Bison women’s basketball defeat in the first round of last year’s Summit League Tournament?

In their years in the Summit League, NDSU men’s track & field has won how many total conference titles?

A. Oral Roberts B. denver C. south dakota D. Western Illinois

A. 17 B. 15 C. 21 D. 19

A. New England Patriots B. Seattle Seahawks C. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D. Green Bay Packers

answers

NDSU Associate Head Coach/ Passing Game Coordinator Randy Hedberg played for which NFL franchise.

1. True 2. A 3. False (4) 4. D 5. True 6. A 7. True 8. B 9. D 10. C

question10

SWANY SAYS

*Swanson is a native of Maddock, N.D., a proud NDSU alum and a lifelong Bison fan.

For Far Too Long he whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

The strength of the Bison is the Herd. Conversely, in an Euclidean sort of way, the whole is nothing but a collection of its parts. The Herd is nothing but the sum of its Bison. It’s true for any team, for the businesses and organizations we belong to – professional or otherwise – and it’s true for who we are as America. For better, and sadly, far too many times than we want to count this year, for worse.

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According to the Department of the Treasury, the motto of the United States, appearing on our Great Seal, E Pluribus Unum, first appeared in June 1782 in the Journal of the Continental Congress.

That motto, which translates to “Out of many, one,” has graced the $1 bill since 1935.

We’re finding out a lot this year, maybe more than any year since 1968, what the sum of our parts really is and if we’ve lived up to that sacred motto, E Pluribus Unum. Heartaches as old as our founding documents, old as the Scriptures, festering wounds laying below the surface, have been ripped open anew. What do we choose to do about that pain and suffering, that visceral hurt. It cannot be ignored. It cannot be ignored because it permeates every area of our lives. It cannot be ignored because it impacts all of us, including our brothers and sisters that are student-athletes, students, coaches and professors at North Dakota State.

It impacts our neighborhoods and communities.

You cannot cheer for a Bison sprinting across the goal line for a touchdown, soaring to grab an interception, buy their jerseys at Scheels or the campus bookstore, and tailgate in the shadow of what they’ve built, while continuing to

ignore that pain that aches deep down to the soul.

I can’t pretend to understand or fathom what many of our brothers and sisters are going through and feeling when Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and scores of others are killed. Maybe that’s part of the problem. It’s 2020, and do we truly understand that it’s the sum of ALL our parts that matter – not just the parts we grew up with, not just the parts we see and experience in our daily lives. Just like the farm bankruptcies and suicides in rural America don’t resonate with everyone, they hit painfully close to home for those of us who grew up in farm country.

We have to do a better job understanding, of having empathy, of walking a mile in one another’s shoes.

To borrow from that great Prayer of Saint Francis – to not seek as much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.

There’s a great podcast by one of America’s living treasures and historians, Jon Meacham, called “It Was Said.” Meacham is a presidential biographer and former editor-in-chief of Newsweek. He’s authored books on George H.W. Bush, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, and the civil rights icon, John Lewis. He eulogized both George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara. One of Meacham’s more recent books, The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels, is moving and sobering. I encourage you to listen to Meacham’s podcast, to really listen to it.

In “It Was Said,” Meacham tells the story behind some of the greatest speeches in our nation’s history. Our de facto republic gospels. The first four episodes are Martin Luther King, Jr.’s last speech in Memphis in April 1968 before being murdered; Robert F. Kennedy breaking the news of King’s assassination to a crowd assembled for what was supposed to be a campaign rally in Indianapolis;

Barack Obama’s Charleston sermon where he eulogized the victims of the massacre at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina in 2015 reminding us of the importance of grace, and Ronald Reagan’s “shining city on a hill” presidential farewell address in 1989.

Driving to work in downtown Fargo one early morning, listening to the episode on the Emanuel AME Church shooting, something that the widow of senior pastor Rev. Clementa Pinckney said caught my ear. Rev. Pinckney was leading a Bible study inside the church when a deranged man full of hate walked in, and mercilessly gunned down nine people in cold blood. I hit the 15-second rewind button on my iPhone three or four times the last few blocks to the office to replay what she said.

Jennifer Pinckney talked about how her late husband would always tell their daughters, “You need to stop and listen to people.”

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Can we really say that we’re listening to one another? I mean really listening to one another. Many of you reading this are thinking, Stay in your lane, Swany!

This magazine is about sports and the Bison! This is my lane. It’s all our lane.

If you’re glad to cheer our Bison players dominating on the football field and basketball courts, the track and field and softball diamonds, in the classrooms and the board rooms, but you don’t care enough to listen to their pain and hurt away from it, what does that say about you? What does that say about us?

We all need to stop, just stop and listen to each other. We’ve been talking past one another, making excuses and trying to avoid conversations and topics like this for far too long. Conversations that eluded our great grandparents, grandparents, parents and now us.

Pinckney’s widow saying we “need to stop and listen.”

fear – fear that most of us will never experience with our children.

This mom wrote about her fear for her sons, fear of what will happen to them, just because they’re black. In 2020 America. This mom, whose son plays for the Bison, worries for his safety because of the color of his skin. On the field, her sons are adored and cheered. But away from the field, without the jerseys and helmets, for something as simple as wearing a hoodie with their hands in their pockets, their lives could be in jeopardy. Ask yourself, do you agree with that? Of course you don’t. Then why do we accept it.

Libby and I will never have to have “the conversation” with Maverick.

How can any of us sit by and not care, not have empathy, not want to do something? How can you say stay in your lane when this mom and dad – whose son is a Bison – lives with that?

Where there is darkness, let me bring your light. Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Where there is hatred, let me bring love. Where there is discord, let me bring union.

Where there is despair, let me bring hope.

When we don’t listen, our hearts only harden, and we condemn our children to repeat our mistakes. We are the sum of all our parts, and must do better by one another.

When one Bison hurts, the Herd hurts.

When one part of our national soul suffers, our entire soul suffers with it.

That must stop, and it must stop now.

We can’t bequeath this sad history to our children. We’ve done that for generations, it hasn’t – and doesn’t – work. As cries for justice pierce this land, a place we all call home, something that a Bison football player’s mom posted on social media hit just as hard as Rev. 62

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How do we hear that mom and not say why, not say how, not say what can we do to help. How do we not feel for her pain and worry? My heart goes out to this mom and her husband, especially as a parent myself. I feel such heartache that today, millions of parents live with that kind of

It’s time to stop. It’s time to listen.