Bison Illustrated January 2014

Arden Beachy | Brooke LeMar | Dr. Bruce Piatt | Marena Whittle | Tom Goehle | Steve Walker

SHAC TRANSFORMING INTO THE

Sanford Health Athletic Complex

January 2014 || Free for Bison Fans

contents

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BUILDING TOWARDS A STRONGER FUTURE

The Sanford Health Athletic Complex has been one of the biggest projects NDSU Athletics has ever pulled off. We got the insight to give you what you need to know about the new home of Bison Athletics.

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JANUARY 2014 | VOLUME 8 ISSUE 6 Bison Illustrated is a free publication distributed monthly (9 times a year).

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

PUBLISHER

Spotlight Media LLC.

PRESIDENT

Mike Dragosavich

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR EDITOR

Four women basketball players who are looking to make the most out of this season.

Brian Shawn tells you something you may not have known about Bison Athletics.

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RESEARCHERS/ CONTRIBUTORS

Josh Swanson, Steve Walker, Joe Kerlin, Madalyn Laske, Paul Bougie, Brian Shawn

DR. BISON

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Ever wondered how the Bison athletes get back on the field so quickly? We have your answer after speaking with Dr. Piatt.

Arden Beachy never slows down. Former elite football and track athlete for the Bison, tells us what keeps him going after his playing days.

more 12 Team Makers 14 Tailgating 16 Deborah John 18 Introducing Tom Goehle 4

SALES MANAGER MARKETING/SALES

32 Don’t Mess With The Rams 62 Walker’s Hot Stove 74 Swany Says 76 Bison Crossing 78 Pop Quiz

B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • JA N UA RY 2 014

Candice Grimm, Joe Kerlin, Josie Eyers, Madalyn Laske, Sarah Tyre, Meagan Pittelko, Norah Kolberg Brent Tehven Paul Hoefer Tracy Nicholson, Dennis Britton, Paul Bougie

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Seth Holden

WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA

Jake Schaffer, Erica Kale

PHOTOGRAPHY

64

Joe Kerlin Andy Neidt, Sydney Schermerhorn, Sarah Geiger

GENERAL MANAGER

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DID YOU KNOW?

Andy Neidt

DESIGN/LAYOUT

COPY EDITORS

20

Andrew Jason

J. Alan Paul Photography, NDSU Athletics, Andrew Jason

ADMINISTRATION

Erika Olson

SPECIAL THANKS

Ryan Perreault, Wes Offerman, Ryan Anderson, NDSU Athletic Media Relations, Colle en Heimstead

WEB DEVELOPER

Nick Schommer

DELIVERY

Codey Bernier, Chris Larson, George Stack, Matt Johnson

FOR ADVERTISING CALL 701-478-SPOT (7768) or email info@spotlightmediafargo.com

Bison Illustrated is published monthly by Spotlight Media LLC. Print quantity exceeds 15,000 per issue. Printed in the U.S.A. Bison Illustrated does not necessarily endorse or agree with content of articles or advertising presented. Bison Illustrated assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. 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

New Year, New Culture Mike Dragosavich Publisher, Bison Illustrated drago@fmspotlight.com

Download the Bison Illustrated App.

Search “NDSU” or “Bison Illustrated” on any device in the app stores.

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B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • JA N UA RY 2 014

I

t’s time to reflect and predict. This last year has been an amazing year for Bison Illustrated, and Bison Nation in general.

It’s stunning the amount of enthusiasm and culture that has transpired recently. Specifically at Bison Illustrated, we believe we took the mag to another level this year. And, this upcoming year, we can’t wait to see where it is going to go. One thing is certain; we are full steam ahead at creating more of an impact all over the country. The Bison Illustrated iPad and tablet app has been a success.

run a company and most of my strategy has spawned from my experiences at NDSU and mimicking some of Coach Bohl’s leadership techniques.

I am excited to see what new head coach Chris Klieman has in store for the Bison.

I have had an opportunity to talk with Klieman, and I am confident that he is going to continue the Bison tradition and take us to another level.

Thanks Coach Bohl

I had an opportunity to talk with Coach Bohl this last month before he left, and it meant a lot to me. I was recruited to play football by Coach Babich, but immediately after arriving to Fargo, Babich left and in came Bohl. I was confused as a new recruit but excited as well. Coach Bohl came in and realized old Bison tradition, but enforced new laws. To me, you couldn’t cut out a better mold for a head coach. After my career at NDSU, I decided to pursue the NFL, and Coach Bohl went out of his way to help put me in the position to succeed at the next level. He reached out to acquaintances of his and spread the word about my skill.

On another level, I also have looked up to him as a businessman. I now have to

This Issue

How cool is it that Arden Beachy was in studio? He’s a legend in my eyes. The BSA transformation article you are about to read was a dandy. Our team conquered an amazing task with untangling the information and presenting it in such a nice way to you readers. It was our most extensive article yet. We had to reach out to many resources to complete it.

Here is what you need to know about the new BSA complex.

1. We still need to raise money! (Ya, I said it!) Everyone thinks that once a project is underway, the fundraising ends. Well that is far from the truth.

NDSU will announce shortly the potential sponsorship opportunities for donations. I urge all of you to reach out and see if there is a way you or someone you know can help contribute.

2. The complex is 100 percent privately funded. This means that we can continue to stand by the fact that NDSU is surrounded by one heck of an amazing community.

3. Get your tickets! Last month I purchased my four basketball season tickets. I want my seats in a prime spot at the new arena. Don’t you!?

4. Recruiting. Everyone needs to realize the importance of this new facility for recruitment of athletes. Not only will basketball and wrestling benefit, but everyone will. When I came to NDSU on my visit, the BSA almost made me second guess my decision. The reason was because my high school had a better gymnasium. It made me believe that maybe the football facility is nice, but the rest of the school and program was on a low level.

Go Bison #oneherd,

Drago

FROM THE EDITOR

There’s no questioning the validity of the NDSU athletic program. But the elephant in the room since the transition to Division I has been the condition of one Bison facility.

Finally, the riddle has been solved.

Joe Kerlin

My top five signs

Editor, Bison Illustrated C O N TA C T M E joe@bisonillustrated.com

@j_kerlin

@bisonmag

facebook.com/bisonillustrated

I believe

it was an old Minnesota Golden Gopher head coach that told the tale about the enormous university that needed to upgrade its facilities. Tubby Smith expressed his beliefs the moment he arrived in Minneapolis. There was some truth in what the old coach had to say, but what Tubby didn’t have was the support of a strong, illustrious community backing his vision to improve along with a resilient athletic director.

Being a transplant, I came to NDSU without any knowledge of the rich Bison Pride that runs through the blood of every Bison fan and alumni across the country.

Learning about the history under the wing of close friends, I quickly noted the passion and the things that are most important to Bison Nation.

From a successful football program, to flashing your horns at every Bison event, these actions and beliefs are at the core of Bison fans. The common sense was easy to assimilate to, but what clouded my vision of a perfect program was the condition of the Bison Sports Arena.

The first time I stepped foot inside the BSA, I remember it as an underwhelming experience. Prior to my visit, my mother, an NDSU-alum, told me how grand the building was and my father reminisced about his old high school track and wrestling events held inside the BSA. Let’s just say over the years, things change, or in this case, things didn’t physically change and that was the issue with the BSA. As a baseball player told me, it’s basically an oversized and outdated gym. Defrosting from the bitter cold in the bleachers wasn’t a reality until Taylor Braun’s sixth

point and by that time, the wooden bench beneath me had me ready for the trainer’s room at halftime.

There were parts of the BSA that impressed me, though. Like the amount of banners the track team has accumulated over the years while sharing practice space with nearly every other Bison team. That alone shows the grittiness of Bison athletes to perform well, even if high-end resources aren’t always available.

Working well with what you have isn’t about skill and talent, it’s a mindset. An attitude every athlete that calls the BSA home has.

After a countless number of donors and future donors to the renovation, I can’t imagine the level of excitement Bison Nation has for the Sanford Health Athletic Complex, fans and athletes alike.

It’s something that fans, athletes and administrators deserve. The new facility is something athletic director Gene Taylor and his entire staff have been working on tirelessly since Taylor’s arrival. Taylor knew what needed to happen and is now fulfilling the goal he set out to do after planting his stakes in Fargo.

B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • JA N UA RY 2 014

MIKE

Meagan

Jesse

Coaches and athletes may move on from the program, but the one element that stays constant is the love and pride every individual connected with NDSU and Bison Athletics carry with them wherever their journey takes them.

The SHAC will give the Bison community a sense of home and connect fans, athletes and coaches, because at the end of the day, we are all Bison Nation.

And we cannot wait to call the SHAC home for many years to come.

Go Bison, 8

MEET THE TEAM

Dreams Becoming Reality

Joe Kerlin

PAUL

Brent

Andy

Andrew

Joe

Norah

NICK

BOUGIE

Jessica

Josie

Sydney

Tracy

Seth

Sarah

Sarah

Candice

Erika

Ben

Dennis

Madalyn

Michael

George

TEAM

MAKERS Next, we are proud to welcome the new leader of the Thundering Herd, Mr. Klieman. We have all heard the stats. We know what he has done. Now, we will watch and see him take the Bison to the next level. Coach Klieman, I cannot wait to sit down and visit with you as we also endeavor to take Team Makers to the next level as well.

Welcome to 2014: We LOVE change!!!!

(Don’t worry, Coach. Our lunch will be paid for by Pat Simmers.... Oh hey Simmers, wanna go to lunch?)

By Paul Bougie

Well hello!! And greetings again from

the West Parking Lot of the FargoDome, just east of Six Flags tailgating and across the way from new Team Makers Vice President Terry Ludlum’s plot.

2013 is in the books and it was a wild ride. The Bison went out and secured a second national championship in football and are looking for a third. Gene Taylor received the final approval for the remodel of the Bison Sports Arena. I am now the Team Makers president and….and...hmmmm... anything else…oh ya!…Head Coach Craig Bohl is moving to Wyoming to start a new chapter for him and his family.

I’ll get back to that in a moment.

And with that, we welcome our new head football coach Chris Klieman!

Indeed 2013 was full of change, but as much as we fear change, we are still the Bison and we will face all this change like Bison, as “One Herd!” (Also if you go to oneherd.com you can get some really cool Bison gear.)

First off, we will start with Coach Bohl, he has given us 11 great years as our football coach. He has also become our friend and an intricate part of the community. I will never forget the first day I had the opportunity to meet Bohl.

“All this change, some see it all as good, some see it as good and bad, but the bottom line is we have to carry on the mission of why we are Team Makers.

We are here to do whatever we can to support the studentathletes.”

Taylor had just given him the job and he was showing Bohl around the area. He stopped in to the Fargo Curling Club, where I was doing everything I could do to someday be an Olympic curler. Lets just say Bohl’s coaching career is doing MUCH better than my curling career. Sorry, I digress. I told everyone after that first meeting that Coach Bohl is going to do great things for the Bison and hey, I was right! But we will all miss Coach Bohl and his wonderful wife Leia.

All I can say to Bohl is, good luck, have fun and let’s set up that game with the Bison and Wyoming. I would like it to be a home-home deal; you come to the FargoDome, we will come there. Bohl, you will be missed!!

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BBI ISSOONN I ILLLLUUSSTTRRAATTEEDD •• JJA AN A RY R Y 22014 014 NU UA

The BSA: jam a shovel in the ground and lets go!! Mr. Taylor, along with Amy Ruley, Jack Maughan, and Simmers (of course it was all Suzie) have fought through the waters of fund raising, designs, and political fun, but it’s approved.

Construction will begin soon on what will be another showpiece of our Bison Nation. More of our student-athletes will be given a first-class facility to play, practice and study in. And we can have a meeting with Taylor and not fear for our lives if the barbell is going to fall down on us from the ceiling above!

This is an incredible accomplishment, but it’s far from over. There is still some fund raising yet to do. So if you have been sitting by, waiting for the right moment to donate to the Edge campaign, get off the bench and donate!

There’s still an opportunity to secure your legacy today!

For information contact: Jack, Amy, Pat or myself. We will be happy to guide you!

All this change, some see it all as good, some see it as good and bad, but the bottom line is we have to carry on the mission of why we are Team Makers. We are here to do whatever we can to support the student-athletes.

I am very proud and excited to serve at the president of Team Makers for 2014! I would like to thank Ken Zetocha for everything he has done over the past year as president.

And with that, we welcome Ludlum as Vice President and Fund Raising Chair. We still need to keep growing and add new members. We still need to do what we can to keep Bison Nation growing. There is no stopping the Herd! We just want to make it a bigger Herd!

Happy New Year to all of you! Let’s make 2014 the best year for us, our families, friends and the Bison!

*Paul Bougie is president of Team Makers and the co-self appointed king of tailgating along with Thor.

Go BISO N! D o n’s D u a l S e rvi c e

*Full Service or Exterior* *Full detailing available* 2727 13th Ave S., Fargo 701-280-0100

www.donscarwashes.com Proud supporter of bison athletics

D o n’s Co nve n i e n c e Ce n t e r & Ca r Wa s h

*Express Exterior* 2500 52nd Ave. s., Fargo 701-478-Dons (3667)

Sub-Zero TAILGATING

A little cold and snow won’t scare us away from showing off our Bison Pride. We braved the cold with the true Bison faithful. Send us your photos from Frisco by emailing them to info@spotlightmediafargo.com.

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TAILGATING

DEBORAH JOHN

BISON

From Around The World Deborah John moved to the United States from Arouca, Trinidad & Tobago in the fall of 2009. Since then, she has shattered women’s track records and rewritten them time and time again. Now a graduate student in business management and with a season of eligibility left, John feels at home in Fargo and is ready to see where her sprinting career will take her.

Article by Joe Kerlin

When’s the last time you were back home?

“I went home in June to compete in the National Championships back at home for a weekend, then I was back here so I didn’t get to go home and spend much time there this offseason.”

What is something you appreciate more about your hometown every time you return?

“The weather definitely (laughs). The food is the next thing on top of my list and then being around my family and friends. My favorite food is called Peleu. It’s just a mixture of rice with beans and any type of meat and then you cook it up. You can make it spicy depending on how much heat you can take.”

Is the coaching different?

“I love Stevie. I love his program, but it was really different. In the offseason, we have more long distance and we ran more mile runs and stuff like that which I didn’t like (laughs).”

What were some cultural differences you have had to adjust to?

What are some differences in the sport you had to adjust to coming to the US? “The one difference in competition is that I have never had an indoor season until coming up here. Prior to coming to Fargo, I had never ran a 60-meter dash and stuff like that, we usually do 100 and 200 meter dash.”

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B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • JA N UA RY 2 014

“I’d say the one difference and difficulty I had was back home, if you were having a conversation with someone, eye contact wasn’t important. When I’m here, you have to watch a person in the face because it’s a sign of disrespect if you don’t. ...So that’s the only difference I have seen in terms of the culture”

Introducing TOM GOEHLE

By Joe Kerlin Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography

Tom Goehle feels blessed. Every day he is given the opportunity to go out and coach

the game he loves, while spreading his faith and positivity along the way. We sat down with the assistant women’s basketball coach to talk about his transition to the women’s game, coaching success and travels.

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TOM GOEHLE

the conversation I’m told coaching runs in your blood.

“I had no idea what I was getting into… I

“Yes, my dad coached for 40 years. I saw

would. Not that they are any more or less

the influence he had on people’s lives in a very positive way, and you get to that point and you think, ‘What kind of impact can I make on other people’s lives?’”

What was something he passed to you in regards to coaching and affecting the lives of these college students?

think they taught me a lot because they would let go of a loss a lot sooner than I intense than I was, they just had a way of letting go of losses sooner, and I have learned a lot from those young ladies. You can be passionate and pursue it, and want it really bad, but when it’s over, life goes

How do basketball and your faith mix?

“I needed to find the faith on my own, because the time I put my faith in Jesus was something that really helped shape me … but the talent and abilities God gave me in basketball and athletics was a way that I could give back to him and to others.”

on, and that was a neat perspective.”

You were in Australia for some time. What brought you there?

What’s your definition of success?

“For me, one of the things is loving God and loving people. And that’s really what

“My dad loved what he did and he

“Originally, when I was at the University

success is and what it boils down to. If you

did what he loved… I think more than

of Sioux Falls, we talked about the idea

can base success off of these things, you

anything, taking that from him and trying

of recruiting overseas. …You find out that

are going to be extremely successful.”

to embrace each day, each practice,

there’s really good talent and kids who

each opportunity I have when I’m out

could fit. Shortly after one of my trips

recruiting, and every relationship that I

there, I took the job at NDSU and it was

encounter is really a blessing.”

only natural for me to say, ‘Hey, these are some of the kids I have seen there who are

Did you ever imagine coaching women’s basketball after you graduated?

Division I talent and are great kids, good students and have good personalities.’”

guys—coaching girls never crossed my

You mentioned being a part of Fellowship of Christian Athletes earlier. Are you still involved with it?

mind… I fell in love with it because I found

“Yes. I love it. It’s just another way in which

out that these ladies took great pride in

you can really make a positive impact

getting better with the little things.”

in athlete’s lives. … I think it helps with

“(Laughs) When I left college basketball, I thought that I would probably coach

the pressure the athletes have today to

What took you by surprise when you started coaching high school women’s basketball?

perform and to succeed. Their plate is full.

I think there’s a lot of stress today and it’s good to have one another, and the element

Goehle’s Resume High School

Hills Beaver Creek

College

Minnesota State Mankato

First Job

Area Director at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)

First Basketball job

Volunteer assistant girls basketball coach at Hills Beaver Creek High School

Last job before NDSU

University of Sioux Falls assistant women’s basketball coach

Player idolized growing up Larry “The Legend” Bird

of faith that they can share with each other is a great outlet.”

19

A DAY

IN THE

LIFE

Liz Keena OF

By Madalyn Laske Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography and Ben Gumeringer

S

he can be seen on the court under the Bison Sports Arena lights between November and March leading the NDSU women’s basketball team to victory.

Fans know her defensive tendencies, her shooting percentage and her sweet spot on the court, but what happens before the junior forward puts on her jersey for the night? We want you to come with us as we follow Liz Keena through her game day routine before she takes the court for the Thundering Herd.

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LIZ KEENA

8:30

2:00

Keena starts every day off with granola and yogurt.

If it’s Monday, Wednesday or Friday, she heads to one of her favorite classes, Behavior Modification.

However, Keena says she tries to get a power nap in, even if that means occasionally cutting her lunch short.

AM

BREAKFAST

“Usually I don’t eat a whole lot because we have pregame at noon, and I just stuff my face then.”

12:00 PRACTICE

PM

Keena arrives at the BSA for a team shoot-around. After some post-moves and ball handling, the team comes together to play “Bison Win,” a game day tradition.

“I usually do about five shots from all around the arch.”

1:00 LUNCH

PM

Keena and the team go to lunch at the dining center.

Choices rotate between chicken, steak and fajitas.

Keena hopes for her favorite, chicken and spaghetti.

“That’s my handsdown favorite.”

PM

CLASS

VITALS position

FORWARD class

JUNIOR hometown

HASTINGS, MINN. double major

3:20

PM

ZONING IN

It’s back to the BSA, but this time for the rest of the night.

Keena meets with the trainer to stretch out her back, heat her knees and get her shoulder checked. After, she takes to the court, iPod in hand, early enough so she can shoot at both baskets.

"I see it as my time to mentally get ready... I like to shoot free throws on both baskets, just so I can get the feel for the hoop."

4:00

PM

WARM-UP

PUBLIC RELATIONSADVERTISING AND HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS minor

PSYCHOLOGY pregame playlist must haves

DARK HORSE BY KATY PERRY WILD BOY REMIX

BY MGK FEAT. STEVE-O

superstitions

1.

She wears the same article of clothing on game day as she wore the practice before.

2.

Hair pulled up high into a ponytail. “My dad hates it. I have to wear my hair like that; I can’t wear a low pony or a mid-pony. It has to be a high sucker.”

The whole team joins Keena for the pregame warm-up.

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LIZ KEENA

4:45

PM

TRADITION

In the locker room, the team always says a prayer together followed by their pump-up cheer that’s been passed down each year since the 1993 Division II National Championship team.

“It’s called Go Hey. It’s pretty much just us screaming and pushing each other around in a circle. We do that right before we run out of the locker room; you can always hear us.”

4:59 FOCUS

SCHEDULE:

PM

Keena and the starters take the court after a “Go Bison!” The starters gather together once more to lock pinkies, a pregame ritual, before they take their spots on the court.

5:00 TIP-OFF

PM

The ball is tossed into the air, and the game begins.

22

CLASS

B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • JA N UA RY 2 014

CONTINUITY Keena pairs up with teammate, best friend and roommate, Alisa Brown, for partner drills before every game. Keena and Brown are always partners at practice and lifting, which makes the pregame easy and familiar.

“Since our freshman year we’ve just been partners. It’s almost weird when I’m not with her. She’s my go-to.”

Monday/Wednesday/Friday 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

English 325 Writing in the Health Professions

2 - 3 p.m.

Behavior Modification Tuesday/Thursday 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

Organizational Communication 2 - 3:15 p.m.

Introduction to American Popular Music 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.

Communication Ethics

AUSTRALIAN

CONNECTION

By Madalyn Laske Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography

THERE ARE 9,000 MILES between North Dakota State University and where sophomore Marena Whittle and freshman Bree Whatman call home. Victoria, Australia and North Dakota bear many differences; however, basketball translates universally for the two Australians who found a new home on the NDSU women’s basketball team.

Marena Whittle hails from Vermont South, Victoria; a town of 11,416 people.

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Bree Whatman is originally from Beaconsfield, Victoria; a town of 6,412.

THE AUSSIES

Sophomore Marena Whittle, left, and freshman Bree Whatman, right, have found a home at NDSU, a place far from home.

25

THE AUSSIES Bree Whatman has been a great fit in the back court for the Bison, playing crucial crunch time minutes. Her passing and court vision have impressed the coaching staff, Coach DeHoff said.

After Skype sessions and staying in touch digitally with Goehle, both girls agreed to make the transition to the United States. “It’s been great for all of us, and for the other players,” DeHoff said.

“It’s been really easy with the things we have learned from them and the things they have learned from us.”

kind of like my second family now, just having that connection to home. She always helps me out when I need it.”

Before Whatman came to Fargo, Whittle already embraced a mentoring role to Whatman.

“Prepping her to come over I would always tell her, ‘If you ever need anything or if you’re worried and you need anyone to talk to, I’m here,’” Whittle said. “She’s really coming into her own here.”

TEAMMATES BY THE TRUTH ABOUT CHANCE, FAMILY KANGAROOS In North Dakota, accidentally

BY CHOICE hitting a deer with a car can be

THE JOURNEY TO FARGO For Whatman, playing basketball in America has always been the goal.

“Since I was 12 years old, I’ve always wanted to come here,” Whatman said in her thick Australian accent.

Assistant Coach Tom Goehle discovered Whatman and Whittle after traveling to Australia. The school year was fast approaching, but head coach Carolyn DeHoff and Goehle worked hard to recruit Whittle. “Luckily, we were able to get her through admissions and have her want to come over here,” DeHoff said. “Bree was the same thing.

(Goehle) knew of her play, and I saw her off of film.”

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Whittle and Whatman have developed a familial-type relationship since coming to Fargo, after previously knowing each other for about four or five years back in Australia. The Aussies “versed” each other growing up and played together on the same state team. “Marena calls Bree her little sister, and certainly they’re two different kids and they’re good for each other because they bring a different personality with one another,” DeHoff said.

Sophomore Whittle and freshman Whatman consider each other their provisional family while living in the United States.

“She’s crazy. She’s someone that can always make you laugh. Having her here is so good being so far away from home,” Whatman said of Whittle. “She’s

a great concern for travelers.

Whatman experienced something a bit different in Australia. “We hit (a kangaroo) with my dad’s car. He was just driving, and it kind of hopped out — then, bam!”

Whatman said. “I wasn’t driving, I was in the back. It hopped away.

They are really strong.”

When Whittle drives to her “auntie’s” house in the country, sometimes hundreds of kangaroos can be seen in her backyard. “We’d say, ‘Oh let’s go chase them!’ And she’d say, ‘No, they’d definitely kill you.’ You don’t want to get near the angry ones, but you can feed them and they’ll come to you and take your food if they’re used to you. So that’s probably my only story, almost feeding kangaroos.”

Contrary to popular stereotypes, however, kangaroos are not just roaming around Australia.

“I don’t ride a kangaroo to school,” Whatman said.

Whittle and Whatman imprinted immediate impact upon the women’s basketball team. Both girls will continue to call NDSU home for the next few years, only traveling the

9,000 miles to Australia for visits and summer break.

“We’ll probably hang out (in Australia) for workouts and shootings and stuff,” Whittle said with a smile.

“I’m not sure if she’ll go back to her home team though, and I’ll go back to my team and we’ll turn back into enemies for a little bit. We’ll be alright though, we’re pretty cool.”

VS. WHAT ARE THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES ON THE COURT? When substituting in Australia you check in and then go back to sit down on the bench instead of waiting at the scorers table.

PRACTICE

“Yeah, the first time I tried to sub in, I walked back and everyone is yelling at me to go sit back down,” Whatman said. “It’s weird; I’m still adjusting to that. I still need to keep reminding myself to go sit down there.”

If you are throwing the ball in from the sideline in Australia, you can’t throw it back across half court.

“Being a point guard, it’s been weird knowing that I can run down there without getting a crosscourt violation,” said Whatman.

In Australia, they play quarters instead of halves.

Marena Whittle made a flawless adjustment to the American game and is making an immediate impact for the Bison on the offensive side of the court, averaging over 11 points a game.

“Everything is a lot faster and trying to get used to playing for longer,” said Whittle.

“Everything is still the same, just doing it a different way,” said Whatman.

27

BROOKE LEMAR

FINDING THE PERFECT

28

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FIT

By Joe Kerlin Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography, SIU Athletics, and Richard Svaleson

BROOKE LEMAR ESPN ANALYSIS AND FORMER “FAB-FIVE” MEMBER Jalen Rose has a theory. Rose believes the proper fit for a college player entering the NBA is just as important as the player’s skill set.

Even the best players don’t reach their full potential because the environment doesn’t help the player grow. Talent is everywhere, but the most important question becomes: Does the player and the program mesh, professionally or collegiately?

J

unior Brooke LeMar has always been a star. In high school at Canyon Country, Calif., in the Northwest region of Los Angeles County, LeMar was brilliant. Her senior year, she was named the Foothills League MVP, named to several all-region teams and led Canyon to their first league championship in 36 years.

The accolades continued when ESPN Hoopgurlz ranked LeMar one of the Top-100 guards in America. Southern Illinois agreed, offering LeMar a scholarship her senior year.

A season prior to LeMar’s arrival to Carbondale, the Salukis finished eighth in the Missouri Valley Conference, with only four conference wins and in dire need of a leader.

The day LeMar stepped foot on campus, she began to leave her mark on the basketball program.

In LeMar’s freshmen season, she started all but two games, leading

“It felt like I’ve known them forever. I was just so comfortable around them and they were really easy to get along with.”

the team in minutes played and assists with 135, good enough to ink her name into eighth place on the all-time single-season assists list at SIU. The team saw minimal improvement in the win column, but the fit was perfect for both LeMar and SIU. The team named LeMar the lone captain entering her sophomore season, but by the time the following January came around, the promising fit began to give way.

As her minutes and production dropped, LeMar lost her captainship and was in need of a change of scenery only a year and a half into her college career.

LeMar left the Salukis’ program following her sophomore season and became the college equivalent of a free agent in the summer of 2012.

“At the time, I was at home in California sending out my release from there, because I had no idea where I was going,” LeMar said.

“My dad — I don’t know why he thought of North Dakota State, but he did, so he sent them my highlight film.”

The Bison basketball program was in a unique situation. With juniors Katie Birkel, Dani DeGagne and Hannah Linz entering their final season, the Bison needed a

COACH DEHOFF ASSESSMENT LeMar’s impact on the team “Katie Birkel was fast. Brooke LeMar is FAST…She is definitely going to force us to be faster.”

“She’s really tight with her handles and is a really good decision maker, too.”

“I think a far greater thing is they (the team) saw the work ethic Brooke LeMar had, not just in practice, but outside of practice.”

“I don’t think there was a day, and if there was, it’s because she was home in California or off visiting friends, that she wasn’t in the gym, shooting.”

Effect on recruiting “If you’re doing what you’re doing and showing the success that she (LeMar) is having and then the success of the players around her are having, then the numbers speak for themselves.”

“We have been able to fit her (LeMar) in our system around what she is able to do and we have certainly been selling that.”

29

BROOKE LEMAR successor at the guard position. That’s when they saw LeMar for the first time.

“We watched anywhere from 100-200 clips of Brooke and we decided ‘Okay, we need to go right now on this kid,’” head coach Carolyn DeHoff said.

From there, DeHoff contacted LeMar and invited her to visit Fargo during a basketball camp and that’s where LeMar hit it off with her future teammates.

“It felt like I’ve known them forever,” LeMar said. “I was just so comfortable around them and they were really easy to get along with.”

Just like that, the talented LeMar had found the fit that would allow her to reboot her hopeful career. Sitting out her NCAA required transfer year, LeMar got the opportunity to perfect her skills and got the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest point guards in Bison history.

“I guess she’s certainly meeting what we felt we needed from that position after the graduation of Katie Birkel,” DeHoff explained. “…Your point position is your quarterback, putting those kids in that position, so that’s probably the greatest thing. She has exceeded what expectations she had at this point of the season.”

With the perfect fit finally found at NDSU, the gifted LeMar is playing the best basketball of her career and is focused on her mission of leading the young Bison team to a possible Cinderella story this March.

LeMar was the head facilitator, playing over 1,500 minutes for the Salukies during her two years.

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B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • JA N UA RY 2 014

As far as Rose’s theory goes, LeMar will refuse to let herself become the unfortunate talent that never found her place to fit in.

Your point position is your quarterback, putting those kids in that position, so that’s probably the greatest thing. She has exceeded what expectations she had at this point of the season.”

-Coach DeHoff LeMar has transformed her game and taken over the offense for the Bison, scoring over 20 points in four games already this season.

STAN DELUS • Coached LeMar at Canyon High School and FBC (Finest Basketball Club) • Currently an assistant coach at Mt. San Antonio College (Walnut, Calif.)

What kind of player do you remember LeMar being?

“She was always a transition, push-the-tempo style of guard.

More because of her quickness and her ability to get in the gaps, she found people if they were open. Because of her quickness, she was able to exploit people’s weakness."

What kind of advice have you given LeMar when she talked to you about coaching down the road?

"I told her we all played, but one thing you want to do is, you want to get better at understanding the game fully

because when it comes to being a player you look at the game differently than being a coach. ... When you understand the game outside of being a player, that’s when you become more knowledgeable of the game.

She has taken into that. And I think she will be a very, very good coach because she has a fiery spirit, a lot of passion for the game and at the same time, is calm enough to express it and teach it and I think that’s where she will be successful."

31

The “Ram” attitude has been a long standing tradition within the Offensive Line on the Bison football team.

top left: Joe Haeg top right: Josh Colville middle: Tyler Gimmestad bottom right: Jesse Hinz bottom left: Billy Turner

WHEN YOU MESS WITH THE

YOU GET THE 32 32

BBI ISSOONN I ILLLLUUSSTTRRAATTEEDD •• JJA AN A RY R Y 22014 014 NU UA

By looking at the picture, you guys don’t look that crazy.

Tyler Gimmestad: "We’re just a goofy bunch of guys that have a certain toughness about us. We want to take a lot of pride in what we do. That’s what makes us the Rams."

Explain the "Ram" tradition.

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Billy Turner: "We’re all kind of a family within a team, and

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within that team ‘The Rams’ is kind of its own little section. We were one of the first position groups to actually have a name for ourselves. Going way back then and having seen pictures of ‘The Rams’ back in the day and how the tradition has carried along the day and being hard-nosed, bad dudes."

How was that "Ram" mentality engraved into you?

Tyler Gimmestad: "Right away when I started playing offensive line. Coach Fuchs was a Ram when he played here.

You get the knowledge from him. He tells you what it was like when he played. He still has the same amount of pride that he had when he played."

What does it say about the O-line when you have two 1,000 yard rushers?

Billy Turner: "You know what, we’re obviously getting our job done upfront, but at the same time, we have two running backs that put their heads in there and fall forward when they need to. It’s not ‘The Rams’ doing all the work. We have the running backs back there that are putting in the work everyday.

Every inch, every yard that they can."

With that being said, do you guys ever feel unappreciated?

Billy Turner: "Being an offensive lineman, you never get any of the glory. That just comes with being an offensive lineman so I really don’t think that bothers anyone. That’s just how it is."

It sounds like your whole group is prepared week in and week out, even the backups.

Tyler Gimmestad: "You never know when you’ll get your

number called if someone gets hurt. They always have to be prepared like they’re going be starting on Saturday, even though they might not."

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B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • JA N UA RY 2 014

DID YOU

KNOW?

WITH BRIAN SHAWN Taylor Braun’s road to Fargo almost never happened...

In 2009, the NDSU men’s basketball team was coming off its first ever Summit League Tournament Championship and first NCAA Tournament appearance. It was a special group of players who were not highly recruited by other colleges. That team was a great example of showing just how difficult it is to project how players will develop. As a mid-major program, finding players throughout the country who are off the radar can be a challenge.

Photo by J. Alan Paul Photography

By Brian Shawn

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B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • JA N UA RY 2 014

Brian Shawn is the play-by-play announcer for the Bison football and basketball teams.

DID YOU

E...

NORTH DAKOTA STAT

way to NDSU. Guards Lawrence Alexander and Kory Brown were overlooked throughout most of their high school careers, but have proved to be critical components to a Bison squad that is one of the top mid-major teams in the country.

of all things), so they brought him out for a campus visit.

has taken advantage of many athletes whom other schools thought were too slow, too short, too weak or too clumsy. Head Coach Saul Phillips says they have not been in a lot of fierce recruiting battles for players, but the Bison have consistently found talent. NDSU senior Taylor Braun is a perfect example. He was a young, tall, wiry kid who showed some leaping ability and athleticism, but not enough to warrant much recruiting interest from Division I schools.

Phillips had an extra scholarship in his pocket for the late signing period in spring of 2009 after missing out on a couple of other recruits. He found Braun out in Newberg, Ore. thanks to connections in the area from Assistant Coaches Will Ryan and Jason Kemp. The coaching staff watched film of Braun and learned he had family in the area (A grandfather who’s a crop duster

KNOW?

Most coaches spend months and even years recruiting players to come to their program. Phillips spent all of two weeks recruiting Braun before he committed to NDSU in April of 2009. This was his only Division I scholarship offer.

More than anything else, this story proves that having four or five stars behind your name as a high school recruit doesn’t mean anything. Braun has made the most of his opportunity and has a chance to lead the Bison back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years.

Braun was only 17 years old when he stepped foot on campus and redshirted. He was homesick that firsvt year on campus, but stuck with it and found his place. After working out with former Bison guard Ben Woodside over the summers, Braun made steady improvements.

“He has flourished the past couple of seasons, leading the Bison in scoring as a junior and was selected as the Summit League PreSeason Player of the Year as a senior.”

He has flourished the past couple of seasons, leading the Bison in scoring as a junior and was selected as the Summit League Pre-Season Player of the Year as a senior.

Braun’s story is similar to many others who have found their

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37

BRUCE PIATT

DR. 38

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BISON

Meet the man responsible for keeping your favorite players on the field and off the injury report.

DR. BRUCE PIATT is the medical director and orthopedic surgeon on staff at NDSU. He overlooks all of the athletic trainers, strength coaches and works with athletes on preventative medicine and nutrition. For 17 years, Dr. Piatt has been on the sidelines and behind the scenes at NDSU, working to decrease the risk of injuries and maintain healthy athletes.

When did you know you wanted to be involved with Sports Medicine?

“As far back as I can remember. I have always been attracted to sports and athletics; therefore, it morphed into working with orthopedics, so my whole life, this is what I have wanted to do.”

How much have you been around this team?

“I am in constant contact with them.

All the trainers have my cell phone number and constantly contact me. I actually come to the university once

By Joe Kerlin Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography

a week and I come for the football games.”

How many athletes do you see a week?

“It’s variable. This week I saw 13 kids and they’re all sports, not just football.”

What’s the protocol for an injury on the field during a game? Let’s use Grant Olson’s knee injury as an example.

“First, the trainer will evaluate it on the field. As soon as he recognizes that it’s something that’s a little more complicated, he’ll involve me or one of the other orthopedic surgeons if it’s a ligament injury. If it’s a head or neck

39

BRUCE PIATT we knew his season was done based on

damage to continue to participate, then

his exam, we did the MRI on Monday.

it’s up to them and making a decision.

Sometimes, if we aren’t sure what’s going

Whether they have enough pain control to

on with that guy, after the game, we will

get out there, if it’s something that they’re

transport him immediately to a hospital

potentially risking damage, then they’re

to get the MRI. It just depends on the

done. We make that decision.”

athlete and the injury.”

Injuries are a harsh reality; what kind of injuries are you checking out the most?

How well do you think this staff performs compared to the other staffs in the area?

“I think I have a great group that I am

“Primarily, I deal with the sports related

working with. I have worked at many

injuries. Mostly knee and shoulders,

different levels at the professional level,

but we’ll take care of ankles and I have

and I would put this staff right up there,

partners that do a lot of the hip work and

and they’re equal to those programs. We

injuries.”

do a really good job. You don’t always get it perfectly right, but we sure are going to

Dr. Piatt can be seen roaming the sidelines every Saturday at football games. injury, it would not only be us, it would be our primary guys that are involved. If it was more of a life-threatening kind of injury, then we make sure it’s safe to get him off to the sideline, then we do a more thorough evaluation. On the field, we need to assess if we have a life or limb threatening problem.”

Olson stayed on the sidelines for the rest of the game. What was the process after the game?

A big issue now with football is concussions. How has your diagnosis process changed over the past few years?

“Tremendously. In my first few years, we didn’t have any guidelines, and so it was more of a feel with what you had with the athlete. Now, it’s very strict. We know now if there’s any loss of consciousness, they’re done. If they don’t have a clear go into a protocol on how to evaluate the next 24 to 48 hours and follow up during the week.”

time we know through the exam, and a lot of the times the studies like an MRI are

“It’s always our call. If we assess an

more of a confirmation. In his case, since

injury isn’t significant enough to cause

he had a significant injury. Most of the

40

B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • JA N UA RY 2 014

fast

FACTS This is Dr. Piatt’s 20th year of practice and 17th season at NDSU.

neurologic exam, they’re done. They will

Has it become stricter in regards to asking the athletes if they’re okay to play or is it entirely your call?

“With Grant (Olson), we understood that

give it the effort for the athletes.”

Knowing his whole life he wanted to be involved in sports, Dr. Piatt became an athletic trainer before medical school in Colorado and did his fellowship at Steadman Hawkins Clinic.

Only NDSU football has two orthopedic surgeons, two primary care sports medicine staff, five to six full-time athletic trainers and two chiropractors.

STRONGER BUILDING TOWARDS A

{ THE NEW SAN

FUTURE

THE EXTERIOR Let’s be honest, the BSA looks like a oversized shed, but not anymore.

“It’s going to be a little more modern and contemporary. We’re completely re-skinning the outside of the BSA with large metal panels. ...So basically, this is covered in the mega-ribbed stuff and then we have the sleek-look metal that’s all glass and then we’ll skin the thing with large insulated panels.” -Terry Stroh

KEY TERMS YOU NEED TO KNOW BSA: Bison Sports Arena LEGISLATIVE BILL HB 1003: A legislative bill that is reviewed every year, asking for approvals of action.

SBHE: State Board of Higher Education 42

B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • JA N UA RY 2 014

NDCC 54-44-1-11: North Dakota Century Code contains the current laws in the state of North Dakota.

BIENNIUM: A specific period of two years.

NORTH DAKOTA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM: A unified group of

the 11 college campuses across North Dakota led by the State Board of Higher Education.

THE NEW SHAC

FORD HEALTH ATHLETIC COMPLEX } IT’S NO SECRET THAT THE BISON SPORTS ARENA (BSA) renovation has been a long, drawn out process. But why? This timeline breaks down the various hoops Gene Taylor and NDSU have jumped through to get approval on one of the greatest accomplishments in Bison athletic history. The NEW Sanford Health Athletic Complex is coming January 2016. Here’s how the journey unfolded... BY JOE KERLIN

NDSU DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION: Creates opportunities to enhance education, research and service at NDSU.

PRIVATE SOURCES: Individuals and organizations’ donations.

MOMENTUM CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: Seeked to raise money for student scholarships, academic buildings, technology and a new BSA.

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE: A group of representatives across North Dakota that oversee laws regarding educational institutions.

BUILDING THE COMPETITIVE EDGE FOR BISON ATHLETICS CAMPAIGN: NDSU’s campaign to enhance academic and athletic environment for student-athletes at NDSU.

43

THE NEW SHAC

TIMELINE

When the legislative approval or SBHE authorization occurred.

The timeline that will be guiding you through all the new information is focused around the legislative steps that NDSU had to take, along with the authorizations the State Board of Higher Education made to confirm the BSA renovation.

JUNE 2002

$15 million – The first mention of a BSA

How much money NDSU needed to raise. More renovation = more money.

JUNE 2002

$15 million – The first mention of a BSA

The parties involved with the specific step of authorization.

renovation was included in a request to Legislative Bill HB1003 for the 2003-05 biennium.

What specific action was taken by the parties involved.

OCTOBER 2005

renovation was included in a request to Legislative Bill HB1003 for the 2003-05 biennium.

$15 million – BSA renovation included in a $75

million Momentum Capital Campaign for the NDSU Development Foundation. Money was raised quickly, but the plan remained low on the priority list.

FEBRUARY 2006 $8 million – The SBHE authorizes

GENE TAYLOR answers the commonly asked questions...

When does construction start?

"We think probably April. I say, ‘we think’ because we’ve met with our three contractors, although they weren’t officially signed because we knew they were the lowest bidders."

Why not start the construction phases now?

"It'd be too disruptive. ...By June 1 we’d like to be out of the building. The goal is to get out of the building because if we can get out of the building then it’s a two-year construction window and if we stay in the building it’s three years."

What's the biggest challenge moving everyone out of the building for the next two years?

"The biggest challenge is basketball practice and basketball competition. We don’t have those answers right now. ...So basically a year and a half of basketball season. The practice will only be next year because the practice facility will be done first.

So they would be able to actually move back in here and practice here next year, but they wouldn’t be able to actually compete until January of '16."

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B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • JA N UA RY 2 014

NDSU to fundraise $8 million for BSA renovation, but first seek approval for project from the Budget Section.

FUNDRAISING 101 What has been donated: Sanford Health: $10 million, naming rights to the complex Scheels: $5 million, naming rights of the basketball court Stop-N-Go: $2 million, Indoor Track and Field Facility named after founder, Shelly Ellig, of Stop-N-Go Nodak Mutual Insurance: $2 million, Name of the Basketball Training Facility

*Numerous other individuals have helped raise $35 million towards the project. But they still need YOUR help to reach the magic number of $41 million.

Women's basketball and wrestling will be at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse, but what about the men's basketball team? Scheels Arena?

If we were to demo it, before

"We haven’t really talked to anybody out there, but we're looking at Scheels Arena, FargoDome, possibly MSUM, possibly Concordia. The Civic Center floor isn’t big enough."

starting any work, all you would

What's the biggest misconception about the construction of the building?

ground, concrete bleachers

"That we are tearing the place down, so its going to still be an old building, and that’s farthest from the truth. It’s going to be basically a brand new building. What’s going to be the same is the steel in the building and the upper seating level isn’t going to change a great deal. But everything else is going to be completely brand spankin’ new."

What's the season ticket situation looking like?

"The sooner you get a season ticket, the sooner and better the chance for at least having options because they’re going to get the first priority. Those season ticket holders might not sit exactly where they are sitting today, but if all of a sudden they are not a season ticket holder the building is built and now I want to buy one they’ve got a whole bunch of people in front of them and they won’t be able to pick that seat."

see is steel coming out of the and the concrete floor on the second floor and that’s all.

People go ‘Why would you do it that way? Why wouldn’t you start from new?’ Well if you did that and strip it all down, you’d basically have somewhere between $10-12 million worth of steel and concrete that you would have to reproduce.”

-Terry Stroh

MARCH 2006 $8 million – Budget Section approves NDSU's BSA renovation fundraising effort through donated funds.

JANUARY 2007 $15 million – NDSU’s Chancellor approves NDSU’s request to seek an amendment to the North Dakota University System appropriation bill re-authorizing to cover the BSA renovation project in the NDCC 54-44-111 for the 2007-2009 biennium.

We’re not going to get state funding.”

-Jack Maughan

"The biggest message out of this is the fundraising is not done," Gene Taylor told us.

Although a campaign has yet to be organized, you can still send in donations to Jack Maughan and Amy Ruley.

"There are some generous people out there, man."

Terry Stroh mentioned after reviewing the floor plans.

"Some people that really believe in Bison Athletics.

Gene is a big part of that, a really big part of that. Bison fans have always been loyal."

Whether it's five or $5,000, your donation will be accepted.

“We’re not going to get state funding,” Jack Maughan said. “”Everyone can participate. Don’t think just because you aren’t a ‘kajilionare’ doesn’t mean you can’t participate in this. It goes back to helping the students with their experience.”

45

THE NEW SHAC

MARCH 2007

TERRY STROH the architect behind it all

NDSU is extremely familiar with one of their own, Terry Stroh. Stroh graduated from NDSU with an architecture degree in 1980.

Stroh has worked hand in hand with NDSU on the Memorial Union, Barry and Klai Hall downtown and numerous other projects.

Stroh has been involved since the inception of the plan. And now his vision is soon to become a reality.

“We have had it for seven years,” Stroh said. “It sounds like a joke, but I have this engineer who wasn’t married and now he has a first grader since we took the job (laughs). So I have never had a project that has been this dynamic in terms of what’s

going on and how long it has took.”

approves Chancellors' actions to allow NDSU to seek an amendment in Legislative Bill HB1003 to increase approval of the BSA renovation from $15 million to $25.5 million with the of the money coming from private sources through the NDSU Development Foundation, and its $75 million Momentum Capital Campaign.

Terry’s the founder of T.L. Stroh’s Architecture Firm and finds a specific enjoyment working with NDSU. “You can’t get a better guy than Gene Taylor,” Stroh said. “He’s just been really supportive because I know we have frustrated him at times because it would be this constant, ‘I think we’re going to have enough money, I think we’re going to have enough money.’”

The renderings you will see throughout the story is from T.L. Architecture and Stroh is looking forward to seeing everyone’s reaction to his work.

FEBRUARY 2007 $25 million – Project approval request increases to $25.5 million after

NDSU received more details of project. A written request to the House Appropriations Education subcommittee to modify the NDUS bill to address the BSA project, and to have the SBHE approve the additional amount at the next meeting.

46

$25 million – SBHE

B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • JA N UA RY 2 014

JACK MAUGHAN the man behind the money

Jack Maughan grew up in the Bison Sports Arena. His father, Bucky, is the winningest wrestling coach in Bison history and when Jack Maughan returned to his alma-mater, he noticed that no improvements have been made.

"I was seven when they opened the facility," Maughan said. "When I got back, it was noticable that they had not made any imporvements."

Along with Amy Ruley, Maughan is the Senior Associate AD for Development at NDSU, a position

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THE NEW SHAC

he started over a year and a half ago. Maughan juggles the donations received for NDSU Development Foundation and the "Building The Competitive Edge For Bison Athletics" campaign.

collaborative effort to get where they are. A lot of people, Pat Simmers has been great, Amy Ruley, Troy Goergen, Erv Inniger, the Team Makers people have helped."

"The guy who has carried the ball consistently has been Gene," Maughan said. “In Gene's role, amongst all the other things he's got on his plate, he's been the leader. It's been a very

If you want to help donate so NDSU can hit their goal of $41 million, contact Maughan today by emailing Jack.Maughan@ ndsu.edu.

APRIL 2007 $25.5 million – Legislative Bill HB1003

includes $25.5 million in other fund authority, from private sources, for the BSA project.

APRIL 2009 $25.5 million – NDSU testimony, provided to both the House and Senate, stated the emphasis of several upgrades at the BSA. Including improvements to the facilities and existing building: • • • • • • • • • •

The

CLUB ROOM Looking for a place to escape the roars from the student section and pep band? The club room will be available during game day and non-game days to socialize and the Hall of Fame is right around the corner.

"That’s going to be available for entertainment during the games or on non event days it’ll be available. It’ll be available during some opportunities during the game itself, maybe some pregame events. ... We’re going to turn that into kind of pregame halftime opportunity for donors or level of seat holders can enjoy those area." - Gene Taylor

• • •

HVAC system, ADA compliance Locker room expansion and upgrades Athletic training areas Classroom technology enhancements Relocation of offices, conference and meeting rooms Replacement of unsafe playing surfaces and bleacher system Replacement of existing roof New north and south entrances New practice gym Improvements for wrestling, track and baseball programs Addition to the east side Accommodate suites Premium seating facilities

MARCH 2010 $29.1 million – Included as Priority #1 – Non-State

Funded projects in the NDSU 2010 Campus Plan revision for the 2011-2013 biennium.

SBHE authorizes design and partial renovation of the BSA founded by private source for $3,895,200.

• Weight Room • Body cooling system. Remaining design cost related to the $29.1 million project

49

THE NEW SHAC

The

DOUBLE DOOR

No more freezing your tail off like you did entering the BSA. Double doors will be installed to ensure a comfortable experience while receiving your ticket.

“When I wrestled here. ... When you walked in there was no double set of doors to stop the cold and keep the heat in, so it was freezing. Even the mat would get hard. People would complain, we took it as it kind of helped us, but this way will be much better for the fans.” - Jack Maughan

LED LIGHTING

NDSU is catching up with the times with its all new lighting system at the SHAC. “One of the big things that has come out and a cost thing that really happened were lighting control and they’ll have a single

source that they will be able to turn off all the lights in the place at one spot. ...They’re going to save a lot of energy so the lighting in the arena is all brand new and the latest stuff.”

- Terry Stroh

The

HALL OF FAME

The NDSU Athletic Hall of Fame is one of the most elusive and lost treasures of NDSU's past in the current BSA. The SHAC will have the Hall of Fame near the main lobby area, ensuring everyone can learn about Bison athletic history.

JUNE 2010 $34.1 million – SBHE approves listed projects in the Non-State Funded Project for the Inclusion in 2011-2013 Budget Request.

• BSA ($29.1 million) • Indoor Track Facility Demolition

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"Right now, it’s a terrible representation of our Hall of Fame. For what those athletes and coaches have done for our program, it’s almost embarrassing quite frankly. And that to me is for our history and our tradition and is going to be huge once we get that put together." - Gene Taylor

JULY 2010 Approx. $34 million – SBHE approves fundraising to proceed to the NDSU Development Foundation for the BSA renovation of facilities for the BSA and indoor track facility.

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THE NEW SHAC

FROST ARENA

FACILITY COMPARISON Sanford Health Athletic Complex Location: Fargo, N.D. On Campus: Yes Capacity: 5,600 Built: January 2016 Cost: $41 million Bowl Seating: Yes Designated Practice Courts: Yes

Frost Arena *Photo courtesy of Eric Landwehr, SDSU University Relations The Betty Engelstad

SIOUX CENTER

Location: Brookings, S.D. On Campus: Yes Capacity: 6,500 Built: 1973 Cost: $3.37 million Bowl Seating: No Designated Practice Courts: No

The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center Location: Grand Forks, N.D. On Campus: Yes Capacity: 3,300 Built: 2004 Cost: $7 million Bowl Seating: No Designated Practice Courts: No

Ralston Arena *Photo courtesy of Eric Classen, UND Athletics

RALSTON ARENA

Location: Ralston, Neb. On Campus: No Capacity: 3,500 Built: 2012 Cost: $36 million Bowl Seating: Yes Designated Practice Courts: Yes

NOVEMBER 2010 $34.1 million – SBHE approves the

name change for the “Bison Sports Arena” to “Sanford Health Athletic Complex” after Sanford becomes the lead donor to the “Building the Competitive Edge for Bison Athletics” campaign.

*Photo courtesy of UNO Athletic Communications

• Sanford donates $10 million to the BSA renovation.

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THE NEW SHAC

FACILITY COMPARISON

DAKOTA DOME

DakotaDome

Location: Vermillion, S.D. On Campus: Yes Capacity: around 6,000 Built: 1979 Cost: $8 million Bowl Seating: No Designated Practice Courts: Yes

I think it’s going to be a nice, compact facility that could be really loud on a basketball game day.

A great student section that’ll be a fun section that we are going to create. It’ll be at the top-end.”

*Photo courtesy of Aaron Packard

SEPTEMBER 2011 $5.5 million –

SBHE authorizes NDSU’s request to:

• Increase Indoor Track Facility from $5 million to $5.5 million to be paid from private funds.

• Seek Budget Section approval • Proceed with project after approvals have been received.

-Gene Taylor

DECEMBER 2010 $34.1 million – Scheels donates $5

million to the NDSU Athletic Department for the renovation of the BSA and the “Building the Competitive Edge for Bison Athletics” campaign to the Sanford Health Athletic Complex.

The basketball and wrestling teams will be able to house 5,600 fans.

More

SEATING

“It’s going to be cool and a very cozy venue for many people...There’s something unique and fun to have the best ticket in town, so when the FargoDome is sold-out all the time, those tickets get that much more valuable and it makes it that much more special...All they have to do is have some good seasons and it becomes a tough ticket to get. That’s always a good thing to have.” - Terry Stroh

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Way to go Bison!

Congratulations for making the NCAA playoffs!

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THE NEW SHAC

The

COURT Basketball players will rejoice with a better surface to play on.

“We bought 30 inches to lower than what the floor is now. The concourse around it will be the same level but we’re digging that down. ...They’ll be playing on an in-set floor and not a portable floor. ...The court is placed almost exactly where it is today.” - Terry Stroh

To complement the bowl seating, there will be a concourse.

The

CONCOURSE

"The concourse will run around the entire bowl, so we get to top and bottom load the seating, which is kind of unique. And then we’ll have a chair rail and a counter for stools all the way around the outside." - Terry Stroh

I know Gene would like to get a new scoreboard and if there’s any money left over we would like to do that.”

OCTOBER 2011 $34.1 million – Stop-N-Go

donates $2 million to the NDSU athletic department for the renovation of the BSA and the “Building the Competitive Edge for Bison Athletics” campaign.

• Construction starts on the Shelly Ellig Indoor Track and Field Facility.

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-Terry Stroh

SEPTEMBER 2012 $35.4 million – SBHE approves request to amend the 2013-15

SBHE capital project request to include $35.4 million for Sanford Health Athletic Complex, and authorized NDSU to proceed with a fundraising campaign of $35.4 million.

THE NEW SHAC

Academic

SUCCESS CENTER

In the term “student athlete,” the word “student” comes before the word “athlete” for a reason. The new study rooms will help every athlete on their road to graduation.

“It’s important to keep people on track and on schedule. ...These study areas are so important in recruiting. And when we are recruiting, it’s something we don’t

have right now. This will bring us up to where we should be with recruiting. It’s a good thing. Its raised people’s expectations.”

- Jack Maughan

WEIGHT ROOM

OCTOBER 2013 $41 million –

The NDSU Development Foundation guarantees funding for the Sanford Health Athletic Complex’s renovation.

• Jim Ingstad and his wife, Victoria, donate $1.2 million to the BSA and the “Building the Competitive Edge for Bison Athletics” campaign.

It’s not always about the amount of space, but how you use the 20,000 square feet. The weight room will become state of the art, punching the building out towards Dakotah Field, tying in the facilities nicely.

“Not a lot more space, but laid out a lot better... They (athletes) can lift and do their work outs. They’ll be right there to do their training.”- Jack Maughan

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MAY 2013 $35.4 million – 2013 Legislative Assembly approves $35.4 million for the BSA Project.

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THE NEW SHAC

ATHLETIC TRAINING

Nodak Mutual Insurance has stepped to the batter’s box and hit this one out the park.

Separate practice courts for the basketball team will allow players to have hoops and space to practice whenever they need to sharpen their skills.

In addition to the practice facilities themselves, the training and injury management facilities will be a big step up from the past. One key facility will be the Hydro-room, which will include a warm whirlpool, ice whirlpool and exercise pool.

The depth of the exercise pool will range from two to seven feet and there will also be a state of the art underwater treadmill. To sweeten the deal, Sanford Health will provide a full X-ray machine so athletes won’t have to go to the hospital for any additional X-rays for their injuries.

NOVEMBER 2013 $41 million –The SBHE approves $72

million in projects for NDSU. Included was the $41 million renovation of the Sanford Health Athletics Complex.

DECEMBER 2013 $41 million – The North Dakota Legislature puts its final approval on the renovation, finalizing the BSA renovation.

LOCKER ROOMS

Bison athletes will be the first ones to tell you that the BSA’s locker rooms needed an upgrade.

“They’re more like team rooms — a place for film study. They’ll look bigger than what it looks like in this picture. The layout looks tight, but there will be more room. Men’s and women’s will be identical. ...I think it’s modest. Some are so over the top. This will get us up to where we want to be in recruiting.”

-Jack Maughan.

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STEVE WALKER

STEVE WALKER'S HOT STOVE The weather is cooling down, but things have definitely been heating up in Bison Athletics over the last couple of months. As we look around there is big news all over the place, and NDSU Athletics is moving in the right direction.

For this month, I was asked to hit on several of the teams that are competing and go through some memorable moments.

THE BSA PROJECT

Perhaps the biggest news around NDSU and the athletic department is getting the go ahead to put a shovel in the ground to start giving the BSA a face lift to what will now be known as the Sanford Health Athletic Complex! As you can tell by the cover, everyone is excited and it looks like Saul Phillips is ready to start construction now as he hangs off the bulldozer.

What great news for NDSU and this will certainly help with recruiting athletes to a top-notch facility.

BISON FOOTBALL

Coaching changes, playoffs, and a possible three-peat championship in the works.

There are a few things going on in the coaches’ offices. As we look back over the playoff run so far, the 2013 Thundering Herd has been nothing short of excellent! In all phases of the game, the Bison are playing as the team to beat in the FCS and it’s always great to have home playoff games adding the 12th man into the mix. With the veteran team that is playing, it is going to take an act of God to derail this team from the record books. A special thanks to all Coach Craig Bohl has done for this program in his 11 years, and more to come in Frisco to put a cap on his great career! Coach Chris Klieman will take his place at the helm of the football program and will continue the tradition of excellence.

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MEN’S BASKETBALL

What a huge win over Notre Dame! Marshall Bjorklund was 11-of-14 from the field, with 26 points and the Fighting Irish had no answer for the big man down low. This is a big win for the program and with the amount of experience on the court every game, the Bison look to be a force through the Summit League.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The women’s basketball team left the Double Tree LA Westside Thanksgiving Classic with a 2-0 record and winning the title. With big wins over Montana (70-53) and UC-Irvine (64-61) showing that the Bison have some quality depth and big play ability as they embark on the rest of a great season.

WRESTLING

The wrestling team has great talent, led by senior Steven Monk, who is currently ranked No. 5 in the nation, and sophomore Hayden Zillmer is ranked 14th. After facing off against an elite Iowa State program, the Bison have gained a ton of experience on the mat which will help them as they go on through the season.

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

Sophomore Brecca Wahlund was named the Summit League Cross Country Athlete of the Year, and is the first from NDSU to win this award. She had a great season where she won the 6K league title and the Championship MVP. This is a great accomplishment for Wahlund, and speaks volumes to the talent that NDSU has within the cross country program!

ALUMNI NEWS

Amy Anderson earned her LPGA Tour Card after finishing 4th in the qualifying tournament at the LPGA International golf course in early December.

Anderson finished 14-under par throughout the tournament and looks to her professional career where she will represent NDSU very well.

As I mentioned earlier, there are a lot of great things going on in the world of Bison Athletics! We need to be thankful for what we have, and the studentathletes we get to watch compete and wear the green and yellow with such greatness. GO BISON! *Steve Walker started 36 games as quarterback for the Bison between 2004 - 2007.

RETIREMENT TENDS TO BE LESS TIRED IN THE WEST. GO WEST.

ARDEN

6644

BEACHY

BBI ISSOONN I ILLLLUUSSTTRRAATTEEDD •• JJA AN A RY R Y 22014 014 NU UA

WHERE NOW? ARE THEY

ARDEN BEACHY: A JACK OF ALL TRADES

By Madalyn Laske Photos by Andrew Jason and NDSU Athletics

T

he decathlon, an event that combines ten track and field events, might be the best metaphor to describe Arden Beachy’s life.

The Staples, Minn. native was a two-sport athlete at NDSU between 1989-1993. He was a two-time conference decathlon champion, received first-team All-North Central Conference accolades twice as quarterback of the Bison and was a member of the 1990 Division II national championship team. Beachy’s father always told him, “Give yourself so many options you don’t know what to do with.” Beachy took that advice and continues to live it out to full capacity. Now a doctor, father of three and a pilot, Beachy gives a whole new meaning to multi-tasking.

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ARDEN

B

BEACHY

eachy came to NDSU on a football scholarship while being recruited by numerous other schools. He found the sincerity he was looking for in the coaches, players and people at NDSU. “It was the best choice I made because it allowed me to get a great education, make a lot of good friends and be in a community that embraced and allowed me to be me.” NDSU embraced everything Beachy had to offer, allowing him to participate in two sports he excelled at while maintaining a 3.75 GPA.

“I made all the practices. I found out the busier I was, the better I did in school and the easier it was to just stay on a regimen and get things done.”

-Arden Beachy 66

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“I made all the practices. I found out the busier I was, the better I did in school and the easier it was to just stay on a regimen and get things done,” Beachy said. “It takes someone who has got good time management, really likes to do it and you have to have the right combination in coaches that are on the same page with good communication.”

Don Larson, Beachy’s track and field head coach, recalls a story of the team discussing Beachy’s academics, specifically microbiology. “The class average was probably in the high 60s or the 70s.

And the guys said, ‘Hey coach, ask Arden what he got,’ and of course he wouldn’t say anything. They said ‘Coach, he got 110 percent, he got the bonus question right,’” Larson said.

While leading his team through pre season in 1993, Beachy was selected as a pre season AllAmerican. However, during the season opener and the FargoDome’s debut, Beachy suffered a career ending knee injury.

“They were playing Thunderstruck and there’s just this welling up that comes in. We were going up and down the field on a team that knocked us out of the playoffs in the semi-finals the year before. I went back to the sideline just like this was going to be a fun year, and right before halftime it was over for me.”

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ARDEN

BEACHY

At the time, this devastating event put a hurdle in Beachy’s plans, but what he learned during that time echoed into his future. Getting into Mayo Medical School, Beachy feels he was more prepared to get through the tough curriculum and the time demanding lifestyle of a med student than some of the other students. “I’d always be wondering why they were making a big deal out of little things,” Beachy said. “I think it helped me get that edge and be a little tougher and when things don’t go well, it’s a little easier to get through it.”

Choosing his emphasis in medical school parallels with his busy lifestyle. Beachy is currently a family practice physician at Lakewood Health System in Staples. He does everything from nursing home rounds to delivering babies to emergency medicine.

“When I was making decisions on what to do, some of the specialties I thought ‘Man, I might get a little bored year after year of doing the same thing,’” Beachy said.

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ARDEN

BEACHY

He also used that time after his injury to become a volunteer assistant track coach. “I always said that he was by far one of the brightest young minds and one of the best young coaches that I have been around,” Larson said. “But thank God for humanity he was smart enough to go on and do other things.”

Since his years at NDSU, Beachy has come full circle. He has been back in Staples, Minn. his home town, for the last 12 years with his wife, Carrie, and three children, Jaelin, Matthew and Turner (named after former Nebraska football standout, Turner Gill). Beachy and his wife of 19 years met in Staples and began dating when they were sophomores in high school.

Beachy’s oldest daughter, Jaelin, is currently being recruited by NDSU for track.

“It’s pretty cool. I’ll put it this way; I talked to my college roommates when we left college and we both go, ‘How much money would you have to be given to give this up? How cool has this been?’ You can’t really put a price on it,” Beachy explained. “So, to see her (Jaelin) maturation and kind of develop a love for the sports and now having a chance to have some of that same experience which I have, it’s been fun.”

Larson is still currently the head track and field coach at NDSU. “Larson has been around long enough that Desire’e (Larson’s wife) tells the story that their oldest daughter took her first steps going to Arden at the airport they were sitting at and she just got married last summer,” Carrie, Beachy’s wife, said.

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DON LARSON on Arden Beachy

>>

Larson is the head coach of the men’s track and field and cross country teams. He is in his 35th season of coaching at NDSU.

“

If you look up the definition of student athlete in the dictionary, his picture is probably there.

His student peers used to call him the ‘curve wrecker.’

ARDEN

BEACHY

“That was her (Larson’s daughter’s) hero, he was her idle,” Larson said of Beachy.

Larson and his family continue to be close with the Beachy family. “Our family has remained close, great person, wonderful friend,” Larson said. “He has the funniest laugh ever, absolutely the funniest laugh and the brightest smile. A very unique individual.”

Pulling for Jaelin to choose NDSU, Beachy still holds onto what Bison Pride means to him.

In the last couple years, NDSU fans have become what his coach, Rocky Hager, used to preach. “He would always say, ‘You got to become a part of something bigger than yourself,’” Beachy recalls. He says especially after going to the national championship

game in Frisco last year, seeing the tailgating, new facilities, the excitement in town and the camaraderie really epitomizes Hager’s preaching.

“To me, Bison Pride is doing things a certain way that ensures success. Do the little things right, control the controllable. You develop that type of attention to detail and that stickto-it-ness and just kind of go the extra mile and I think that’s what sets NDSU apart.”

In his time at NDSU, Beachy was the archetype of a student-athlete. He was an elite quarterback, a prolific decathlete (which is arguably the toughest event in track and field), a Big Brother Big Sister’s mentor and a model student. Now a doctor, family man and extracurricular extraordinaire, Beachy shows no sign of slowing down.

IN HIS FREE TIME Arden Beachy...

Received his pilot’s license Rides motorcycle

Coaches the Staples high school girls basketball team and is thinking about getting back into coaching football Enjoys his lake cabin and snowmobiling

SWANY

SAYS...

follow

they better or what do they bring to the table different than Chris Klieman, nobody was able to do that,” Taylor said.

Bison Inauguration In Frisco

By Josh Swanson |

O

n Jan. 5, 2014, a new chapter of Bison Football begins. But keep this in mind. While the page turns from one era to another, it’s turning to a new chapter, not a new book. Chris Klieman will take the helm as the new head football coach and leader of Bison Nation within minutes of the team raising our third-straight national championship trophy on that first Saturday in January. The torch will be passed from Craig Bohl, who has guided Bison football to unprecedented heights during his 11 years in office, to Klieman.

And it will be carried nationwide on ESPN2.

“We’re still the Bison.

Nothing has changed that.

Nothing can ever change that.”

It will literally be an inauguration of sorts, and your ticket to the National Championship game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco also gets you into the ceremony. The familiar end zone stage in the stadium where the Bison have had program-defining moments the last three seasons will be transformed into the equivalent of the inaugural platform on the West Front of the United States Capitol where the President of the United States is sworn into office. Klieman will be sworn into one of the most important public offices in the State of North Dakota–Bison head football coach–and affirm his oath of office on that end zone stage before the masses of Bison fans that have stormed the field, the assembled dignitaries, university officials, North Dakota’s political class, and anyone else with a vested interest in NDSU.

Talk about coming into office with a bang! It will be unlike anything seen in the entire 119-year history of Bison football. The state of the Bison football program has never been stronger, never more prosperous. Don’t expect a drop off with Klieman or his staff. We’re still the Bison. As Klieman made clear during his introductory press conference where Director of Athletics Gene Taylor announced him as the program’s newest head coach, our culture isn’t changing. “North Dakota State is a really special place, Bison football is unbelievably special,” said Klieman, who was named the 2012 FootballScoop FCS Coordinator of the Year. Klieman put an eager fanbase at ease when he promised the “culture of Bison football will not change” and the team would continue to reload, not rebuild.

Bison players were impressed with not only Klieman’s coaching ability, but his demonstrated commitment to the players as he turned down an opportunity to follow Bohl to Wyoming as an assistant, opting instead to lead the Herd. “It shows he really cares about the players here,” team captain Cole Jirik told the Forum. “Everyone from the walk-on to the scholarship kid.” For Taylor, the search for Bohl’s replacement kept coming back to Klieman. “Every time I looked at their information and asked are

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@swany8

As for Bohl, he leaves his term at NDSU as the most successful coach in our history, securing his place among the pantheon of Bison greats. Bohl has taken our program and the Bison Family to a level that not even the most ardent booster could have reasonably expected when he arrived in 2003. If you can’t see that, you’re selfish. If you can’t see that and appreciate what Bohl has done, you shouldn’t call yourself a Bison. One of the smartest things I’ve read about the situation and Bohl departing for Wyoming is that too many good things have happened to be bitter. Too many good things have happened to be bitter. We’re in a position for many, many more good things to happen for NDSU because of what our football program has done under Bohl. NDSU is in a better spot today than it was in 2003, and is a nationally known commodity, because of Bohl’s work.

Same goes for Bohl’s staff, whether they stay in Fargo or follow him to Laramie. Those guys bleed Bison green. Those guys, and their families, have given their hearts and soul to this program–to us. They have sacrificed more than you could imagine to give you a football program that you can be proud of. I’m proud to know some of them. I’ll continue to be proud they were Bison, long after they’ve coached their last game here because of where they’ve taken our program. Once a Bison, Always a Bison has never been truer.

We’re in a position to continue our success under Klieman because of where Bohl and his staff have taken NDSU Football. We’ll stay in this position because you and me – us – will remain committed and hold steadfast to the Bison Family.

As the Bison Family, we’ll continue supporting this team when the page turns to a new chapter on January 5, no questions asked. That’s our commitment, that’s our job as fans. That’s the strength of the Herd. The Bison Family is bigger and stronger than one person. A Herd is not one Bison. A Herd is the 24 seniors that were committed to finishing this season by raising another trophy in Frisco. A Herd is the 18 juniors who will be on a mission to win four-straight. A Herd is the 15,000+ fans that made the trip to Frisco and turned Toyota Stadium into a home game for the Bison. A Herd are the hundreds of thousands who tuned in from across the country to watch the Bison finish an unbelievable season 15–0. You are the Herd. We are the Herd. Individually, but more importantly, together. This is what the Strength of the Herd is the Bison, and the Strength of the Bison is the Herd means.

We’re still the Bison. Nothing has changed that. Nothing can ever change that. The Herd is not leaving with Coach Bohl. Our tradition is not leaving with Coach Bohl.

The Bison Family has never been stronger. Our best days remain ahead of us. If you think this run of success stops with the 24 record-setting seniors riding off into the sunset, to borrow a phrase from an honorary Bison, ESPN’s Lee Corso, not so fast my friend! A return trip to Frisco next January is a definite possibility. In fact, if I were you, I’d plan on it. Because I know coach Klieman, his staff, and every player coming back certainly have their sights set on nothing less. Everyone up for the kickoff, the march is on! *Swanson is a native of Maddock, ND, a proud NDSU alum and is a life-long Bison fan.

BISONCROSSING 1

Difficulty: All-American

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Are you a Bison die-hard? Think you have superior knowledge of Bison athletics? Prove it every month at the Bison Crossing.

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Thanks for playing!

Find the correct answers in the February issue of Bison Illustrated.

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Down 1. He was the last NDSU basketball player to be drafted by an NBA

team in 1984.

3. What is the nickname for the offensive linemen?

4. Who is the former NDSU volleyball standout that was the first player in league history to be named both Summit League Player of the Year and Setter of the Year in 2011 and is now the head volleyball coach at Fargo Oak Grove?

6. What is the name of the new indoor Track & Field facility?

8. Prior to transitioning to Division I, Bison men’s basketball competed in Division II as a member of the ____ ____ Conference.

9. NDSU battles SDSU in wrestling each year to claim a 100 lb. traveling trophy. What is that trophy called? (The Bison defeated the Jacks 30-13 to take it home this year) 10. Who was the free safety/punter for NDSU between 1984-1988 who is now coaching the Jacksonville Jaguars?

12. Which women’s basketball player has granola and yogurt every day for breakfast?

13. Dr. _____ Johnson is the director of the Gold Star Marching Band.

16. Brooke _____ is the promising women’s basketball transfer from Southern Illinois originally from California.

Across 2.Bucky _______ is a National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee who led

the Bison to four NCAA Divison II wrestling National Championships. He is the NDSU winningest wrestling coach in NDSU history with a 467157-13 record.

5. Former North Dakota State University golfer__ _____ earned an exempt LPGA Tour card for the 2014 season with her fourth-place finish in the final qualifying tournament at the LPGA International golf course.

7. This is the overseas professional basketball team that former NDSU basketball standout, Ben Woodside, now plays for.

11. Along with NDSU, who was the only other Missouri Valley Football Conference team to make FCS playoffs?

14. Bruce Rafert is NDSU’s ______.

15. Women’s basketball players, freshman Bree Whatman and sophomore Marena Whittle are originally from which country?

17. Which undergraduate college at NDSU has the highest enrollment?

18. Before Sam Ojuri, who was the last running-back to eclipse 3,000 yards. Hint: He was from Dickinson, N.D. and finished his career with 3,952 yards.

19. The NDSU volleyball team plays in the ______ Bunker Fieldhouse.

20. What city in Wyoming is home to the college of Craig Bohl’s new coaching gig?

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PopQuiz

With NDSU Athletes Favorite movie growing up?

What’s your dream job?

What is your New Year’s resolution?

I just try to live life to the fullest.

I’ve never really been into New Year’s resolutions.

Ryan Smith

Football

After entering the program as a running back, the Wahpeton native has since become one of the most explosive receivers for the Bison offense and a prolific punt-returner. With gamechanging potential with every touch of the football, Smith will be a name that will be remembered.

The Sandlot

Brendin Pierre Pierre has been an impactful player both on and off the field upon coming to NDSU from Florida. The cornerback plays multiple roles on the Bison defense racking up 20 tackles last season.

Lion king

Football

Multibillionaire zoo keeper/primate trainer

Graduate college

I’d like to be an OB nurse and work with moms and babies :)

I want to work on flexibility and strength so I don’t get injured all the time.

My dream job would definitely be becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon. I’ve spent a lot of time shadowing surgeons and the skill-set they wield is incredible and something I desire to have someday.

I want to take a road trip somewhere sweet with 2-3 of my closest friends.

Abbi Aspengren

Track & Field

In her freshman year, Aspengren was named the Newcomer of the Summit League Championships as the highestplacing true freshman. The distance runner placed 21st overall in the 6k with the time of 22:55.16 to help the Bison to a team title.

The Parent Trap, with Lindsay Lohan! I used to quote it all the time, in a British accent.

Alec Espeland

Track & Field

Espeland has emerged as one of the top mid-to-long distance runners in the Summit League entering his senior season. He was one of the four Bison athletes to place in the top-4 in the 800m last spring at the Summit League Championships.

I LOVED the movie The Little Rascals.

Catavia Jones After redshirting due to injury last season, the St. Paul native is ready to help her team this year. Jones is the oldest player on the young Bison women’s basketball team.

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BBI ISSOONN I ILLLLUUSSTTRRAATTEEDD •• JJA AN A RY R Y 22014 014 NU UA

The Land Before Time.

To work as a Veterinarian Technician in an animal hospital or clinic.

Become a better me by being more helpful to others. Continue to build a closer relationship with God.

What is your favorite winter activity?

If you could only eat one kind of food for the rest of you life, what would it be?

Drinking hot chocolate

Chicken patties

Playing video games and cuddling :)

Soul food or animal intestines, a.k.a. sausages

Ice skating

Ohhh...that’s a tough one. I like so many different things! But I love fro yo, especially frozen yogurt.

Almond & peanut butter are my favorite flavors. :)

Coyote hunting

Staying indoors.

But if I did have to pick one thing it would be spending quality time with friends and family (snuggling and watching movies).

If I had to eat one kind of food the rest of my life it’d have to be my own homemade burgers. They seriously never get old!

That’s definitely hard knowing how much I love burgers and cereal.

But if I had to choose only one, it would be burgers.