St. Cloud State Magazine Fall/Winter 2025

Fall 2025 / Winter 2026

ST. CLOUD STATE MAGAZINE

LEADER OF THE PACK Alumnus Jack Christopher lives, trains and mushes with huskies

MORE INSIDE:

UNBREAKABLE RECORD

Schmiesing’s 56-point mark still stands nearly 60 years later

INTENTIONAL SUPPORT Huskies Food Pantry plays essential role on campus

@stcloudstate @scsugrad

Huskies, share your story at scsu.mn/ourscsu

/stcloudstate /scsualumni

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LEADER OF THE PACK St. Cloud State University alumnus Jack Christopher ’88 along with his wife, Kris, have operated Silent Run Adventures for nearly 17 years. Their Monticello sled dog farm is home to 35 Siberian huskies, each resembling SCSU’s beloved mascot, Blizzard.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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FROM THE PRESIDENT 4 Transformation in focus:

SCSU’s next chapter awaits

AROUND CAMPUS 6 SCSU announces new president 6 Longtime supporters of SCSU

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leave lasting impact on University CMYSA purchases Selke Field HBNHC receives state funding for upgrades UTVS Television launches new app

10 FEATURES 12 SCSU assistant hockey coach

surprises mom with walk at commencement 14 Issy Schmiesing’s 56-point scoring record nearly 60 years old 18 #OurSCSU — Jack Christopher lives, trains and races with huskies 22 SCSU Huskies Food Pantry plays essential role on campus 26 #OurSCSU — Stacy Vee credits her college experience as a catalyst for success 30 #OurSCSU — Jordan Smith and Trevor Cho, Huskies baseball alumni, continue careers in MLB roles

ALUMNI NEWS 35 Class notes on scsu.mn/ourscsu

FROM THE INTERIM PRESIDENT

TRANSFORMATION IN FOCUS: SCSU’S NEXT CHAPTER AWAITS

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I am grateful for this opportunity to express how much I have appreciated my time at SCSU and how deeply I believe in the future of this exceptional University. It’s been a special experience for me to be your interim president at a critical time of transition for our Husky community.

As our University adapts to the shifting demands, challenges and opportunities facing higher education and those it serves, our leadership team and our incredibly resilient and committed faculty and staff are continuing to strengthen a culture that supports student success. They are doing so with a focus on community engagement and stewardship of place, a concept that defines our mission to collaborate with our local community as essential partners in all we do.

Together we are powering an exciting transformation to meet the needs of our students and the communities in which they will live and work. In SCSU’s more than 155-year history, we have succeeded in adapting and innovating to remain a vibrant campus where Huskies learn and grow through meaningful academic and life experiences. And we have done so as an integral part of a region that recognizes how critical the connections between community and university are to our shared well-being.

Among our campus leaders, faculty and staff, there is a sense of purpose for the future. We continue to build on our strong foundation of academic distinction and to celebrate our achievements and the power of our collective community to continue to move us forward.

While we have been challenged by the hurdles higher education is facing, including changing demographics, technology and job markets, we continue to have good news to celebrate thanks to the excellence of our programs, including: » No. 1 ranked nursing school in Minnesota by registerednursing.org » Named to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges Rankings » Named to Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll for the sixth straight year » Honored by Colleges of Distinction for the fifth straight year These are just a few of the many ways our Husky community continues to be recognized as a leading educatiosnal resource in our region, our state and our world.

With significant support, we have done what we said we would do: continue to be a vital, thriving, relevant institution of higher education. I can’t stress enough how important our community connections are to this work.

We know when SCSU thrives, the greater St. Cloud community thrives, and that works both ways. We’ve created a Husky Community Engagement Fund to fortify this connection. The fund will provide SCSU the opportunity to make strategic investments in community-focused initiatives and programs that will enhance relationships between the surrounding region and the university. Support for the fund will strengthen the ties to our community and make a lasting impact. I am contributing to the fund, and I hope you will too.

Community engagement has had a tremendous impact, evident in the outstanding transformational programs and amazing facilities and amenities that have become part of our campus thanks to our alumni and community partners who have shared their Husky pride as well as their time, talent and treasure with the campus community.

We are fortunate also to be part of a community where our students, administrators, faculty and staff are involved in many volunteer and leadership activities that enrich lives and where a great many of our graduates live and work in a wide variety of fields.

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They contribute to the region’s economic, cultural and educational development. We want to continue to honor these significant connections as we move into a new era.

Soon our University will have a new president, Dr. Gregory Tomso, who will have a great opportunity to lead and uplift this special campus community into the next chapter. I wish Dr. Tomso all the best in continuing our proud heritage as a great Minnesota resource for students and communities. He will need the same kind of advice and support I was grateful to receive in getting to know the campus and community and how our relationships can continue to be mutually beneficial. I am confident he will find what a special community and special university we have and will grow to appreciate both as I have.

I took this opportunity hoping that I could, with the assistance of many others, help guide the many changes our University community is making alongside a multitude of community stakeholders.

I came here to help, and I hope you think I have.

Best wishes to all of you as SCSU moves into a new chapter of an exciting future – one that continues to change lives.

Thank you and go Huskies!

Warmly,

Larry H. Dietz, Ph.D. Interim President, St. Cloud State University

AROUND CAMPUS SCSU RECEIVES NATIONWIDE ACADEMIC HONORS St. Cloud State University has been honored by various ranking committees and publications over the past year. Here are a few highlights:

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT’S 2026 BEST COLLEGES RANKINGS St. Cloud State ranked 33rd in the Midwest for Top Public Universities and 95th overall in Midwest Regional Universities, moving up three spots from the 2025 rankings.

2026 Rankings broke down schools into four regions and evaluated more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities.

SCSU was nationally ranked for their engineering, nursing, computer science and psychology programs.

REGISTEREDNURSING.ORG TOP NURSING SCHOOLS IN MINNESOTA SCSU was rated No. 1 out of 40 nursing schools in Minnesota. The rankings were conducted by analyzing the past three years of pass rates for the NCLEX-RN exam, which is used by all U.S. state boards of nursing to help assess a student’s competency and is required for licensure.

SCSU nursing students had a nearly 96 percent pass rate over the past three years, reflecting the nursing program’s ability to prepare students to enter the workforce successfully.

SUPPORT SCSU, SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY When St. Cloud State University thrives, so does the surrounding community.

When the greater St. Cloud community thrives, so does SCSU. Give to the HUSKY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FUND to fortify this connection.

PHI THETA KAPPA TRANSFER HONOR ROLL SCSU was named transfer-friendly for the sixth-straight year, showcasing the University’s ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming and seamless transition experience.

SCSU is one of only two Minnesota State institutions to make the list, joined by Metro State University in St. Paul. St. Cloud State is one of three public universities in Minnesota and one of 251 colleges and universities nationwide to be honored by Phi Theta Kappa.

SCAN QR CODE TO GIVE ONLINE

COLLEGES OF DISTINCTION SCSU was honored in eight categories for showing a commitment to engaged, experiential undergraduate education and making a meaningful impact on students’ lives.

St. Cloud State earned distinction in business, education, engineering, nursing, affordability, career development, international and military support. This marks the fifth straight year SCSU has been recognized by Colleges of Distinction.

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AROUND CAMPUS DR. GREGORY TOMSO NAMED PRESIDENT OF SCSU

He will begin his appointment as SCSU’s 26th president on Jan. 5, 2026. Tomso was selected from four finalists who visited the campus earlier this month.

“I came home from my campus and community visits inspired and energized because of all the wonderful people I met and their enthusiasm for St. Cloud State and the region,” Tomso said to the Board on Nov. 19.

“It’s quite a special place, and I truly look forward to calling it home.”

Tomso was most recently the vice president of Academic Engagement and Student Affairs at the University of West Florida (UWF), a position he held from 2021-25.

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The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has named Dr. Gregory Tomso as the next president of St. Cloud State University.

As vice president, he led a unit comprised of over 160 fulltime employees across 34 departments and programs. He focused on improving student success, increasing enrollment, creating a vibrant campus culture and forging community partnerships.

LONGTIME SUPPORTERS OF SCSU LEAVE LASTING IMPACT ON UNIVERSITY The late James and Marion Miller have made their final gift to St. Cloud State University.

The couple made a pledge of over $3 million to SCSU in 1999, with nearly two-thirds of that pledge tied to a joint life insurance policy. James Miller passed away in 2021 and Marion Miller passed away in 2025. With Marion’s passing, St. Cloud State received the last of their pledge with a check of more than $1.9 million from their insurance policy.

“We’re touched by the thoughtfulness of the Millers to include SCSU in their arrangements,” said Interim President Larry Dietz. “We are proud of the positive impact their philanthropy will have on current and future Huskies.”

The Millers’ final gift will be disbursed between their three funds: the James W. Miller Family Scholarship, Miller Scholar Program and James W. Miller Family Technology Fund. The funds collectively provide support for scholarships, faculty and technology at St. Cloud State.

“The Millers’ generosity will impact students for years to come,” said Mark Parsons, interim vice president for Advancement & Alumni Engagement at SCSU. “Their fervent support over the years is a shining example of the strength of #OurSCSU community.”

SCSU’s James W. Miller Learning Resources Center celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and in 2000 was dedicated to reflect the Millers’ support for the University. Three of the couple’s four children and their spouses graduated from St. Cloud State, and James credited SCSU for providing his businesses with an educated workforce.

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As a leader in change management, he conducted an extensive divisional selfstudy resulting in a five-year strategic plan prioritizing student well-being, academic success, experiential learning, civility/ inclusion and staff development, which resulted in significant gains in student retention and enrollment. He also established the Office of Workforce Development while at UWF and built new internships and partnerships with local employers and nonprofits.

He was previously the director for the Kugelman Honors Program at UWF from 2017-21 and the English department chair from 2014-17. Tomso was a tenured professor of English at UWF from 2010-25 and an assistant professor of English at UWF from 2004-09. Prior to joining UWF, he was assistant professor of English at Ithaca College (NY) between 2001 and 2004.

Tomso holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a doctorate from Duke University.

“Dr. Tomso has the vision, experience and leadership skills to lead St. Cloud State University into a bright future,” said Scott Olson, chancellor of Minnesota State.

“Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to the success of students, to partnering with faculty and staff and to building strong relationships with the community. He has a clear and inspiring vision for St. Cloud State, and I look forward to seeing the University flourish under his leadership.”

Tomso succeeds Dr. Larry Dietz, who began his term as interim president on July 1, 2024.

Editor-in-chief Brandie Yale, Ph.D. Managing editor Zach Dwyer Content producers Colleen Harrison Cassidy Swanson ’15 Marsha Shoemaker Design Marie Madgwick ’91 Contact us: ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY 720 Fourth Ave. S. St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498

Dr. Gregory Tomso and his partner Dr. Conor Kronin smile for a photo in Husky Plaza.

University Communications ucomm@stcloudstate.edu 320-308-3152 stcloudstate.edu/ucomm Alumni Engagement alumni@stcloudstate.edu 320-308-3177 or 866-464-8759 scsu.mn/ourscsu St. Cloud State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regards to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or status as a U.S. veteran. For additional information, contact the Office for Institutional Equity & Access, (320) 308-5123, Admin. Services Bldg. Rm 121.

Left, James W. Miller onsite during the construction of the James W. Miller Learning Resources Center.

Above, James and Marion Miller receive an award in 2000.

Those wishing to honor the Millers’ dedication to St. Cloud State with support of their own can do so at scsu.mn/give or by calling SCSU Advancement & Alumni Engagement at (320) 308-3984.

ST. CLOUD STATE MAGAZINE

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AROUND CAMPUS

SCSU PROFESSOR SARAH GREEN EARNS PRESTIGIOUS LITERARY HONOR

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Sarah Green, an associate professor of English and creative writing at St. Cloud State, has won a Pushcart Prize for her poem "Tinder" and will be included in the 50th edition of the Pushcart anthology.

The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses series has been published since 1976 and is a widely read and respected literary project in the United States. Over 10,000 pieces are nominated annually, including alumna Brianna Condon last year.

Only about 70 winners are included in the published anthology.

Green was first included in the 2008 edition for her poem "Chances are, Lafayette, Indiana." Her recent work "Tinder" was first published in Pleiades Magazine and later nominated for the Pushcart Prize.

“Most writers go their whole lives without securing this achievement," Green said.

"When I was honored the first time, the editor told me I was the youngest recipient thus far. I didn’t expect to ever win a second one; I am very grateful to the three poetry editors of this year’s volume for selecting my piece.”

Green published her second collection of poems “The Deletions” earlier this year.

The Photos Pushchart anthology wasProductions released on Courtesy of Rouse Dec. 2.

CENTRAL MINNESOTA YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION PURCHASES SELKE FIELD FOR $350K Selke Field served St. Cloud State University for nearly a century, and its sale this fall ensured it will remain a vital community resource for years to come.

Central Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (CMYSA) finalized an agreement to purchase Selke Field for $350,000. Proceeds from the sale will be reinvested into facilities upgrades on the SCSU campus.

CMYSA was founded in 1981 and provides programming for 1,100 kids each year, including fielding about 25 competitive teams. CMYSA has rented Selke Field for decades, but now they can make the facility their permanent home.

“We are thrilled a community partner like CMYSA could purchase a facility we were no longer using,” SCSU Interim President Larry Dietz said. “We have confidence that this historic site can have a bright future under new ownership. This sale is a major win for the Central Minnesota community.”

Selke Field, which served as an off-campus athletics facility since the 1930s, was last used by the University’s softball team in 2024. The 16-acre site is known for its iconic granite wall that surrounds the property, which was built by the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression.

Selke Field has a rich history, hosting SCSU commencement ceremonies in the early 1940s and serving as home field for hundreds of SCSU athletics events. The field is named after SCSU’s longest serving president George Selke, who was in office from 1927-43 and was instrumental in the athletic field’s development.

CMYSA raised over $100K through crowdfunding efforts to purchase the property. Their first priority will be assessment and repair of the 3,000+ foot granite wall, followed by plans for field maintenance and facility and parking lot upgrades.

“SCSU is a place that invests in the community, and by purchasing Selke Field we hope to do the same and even create new partnerships to grow our program and benefit the area,” CMYSA President Emily Willaert said. “We have CMYSA board members who remember playing at Selke who now get to see their kids play there. We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.”

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AROUND CAMPUS $12.9M HBNHC CONSTRUCTION PROJECT TO BEGIN IN MARCH A $12.9 million construction project at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center (HBNHC) is planned to begin in mid-March and be completed in Fall 2026.

The state legislature awarded St. Cloud State University funds for the project in June. The HBNHC will have its ice rink cooling plant replaced, which is still the original system from when the building opened in 1989.

The current system uses a R-22 refrigerant that is no longer produced and contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. It will be replaced with a sustainable ammonia refrigerant, which is the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerant available today.

This replacement will guarantee improved reliability and efficiency of the facility so it can continue to serve the campus and community for decades to come.

“We appreciate the support from our legislators, fans and community members who helped show how important this upgrade

was for hockey in our region,” said SCSU Interim President Larry Dietz. “Of the $60 million in state Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) money awarded for projects at the seven universities and 26 colleges in Minnesota State, nearly $13 million went to SCSU. That’s a big deal.”

Following the work, SCSU’s main and auxiliary rinks will have reduced ice sizes. The main rink will measure 200 by 94 feet, and the auxiliary rink will be 195 by 85 feet.

The project also intends to replace dasher boards and shielding to improve player safety, upgrade automatic temperature controls and install new LED lighting in both rinks.

“The new LED lights are estimated to reduce our lighting energy consumption by 35 percent, and the automatic temperature controls could reduce our HVAC energy consumption by up to 20 percent,” said HBNHC Director Cory Portner. “These behind-thescenes upgrades will have long-term benefits for our facility.”

Construction is planned to begin in March 2026 after the conclusion of the 2025-26 collegiate hockey season and continue until fall, during which time both ice sheets will not be available.

SCSU will be working with community user groups and partner facilities to temporarily provide alternative locations for activities during construction.

SCSU HOCKEY STATS

2 8 30 17

NCAA Frozen Fours Conference Championships All-Americans NCAA Tournament Appearances

ST. CLOUD STATE MAGAZINE

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AROUND CAMPUS UTVS TELEVISION LAUNCHES NEW APP St. Cloud State University’s student-run television station UTVS has launched a new streaming app to deliver their award-winning content in more dynamic ways.

The UTVS Television app is now available to stream for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Apple iOS for iPad & iPhone and Android.

"We’re incredibly excited to introduce our new streaming app, designed specifically for smart devices on numerous platforms," said UTVS Advisor Derrick Silvestri. "Whether you’re watching live television such as our Newscasts or diving into our vast library of Video on Demand (VOD) content, this platform delivers seamless access to entertainment wherever you are. It’s all about giving viewers more control, more content and a better experience.”

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We are a vibrant and growing community of

MORE THAN

10,000 HUSKIES STRONG

The app is hosted by Amazon Web Services and provides a 24/7 live stream of the UTVS Television cable TV channel, which is still available across the state as a cable TV channel through Spectrum.

with a network of

The app’s VOD content includes all original UTVS programming, including Husky Mag, The Culture, UTVS News, Husky Productions and more. SCSU’s live Commencement ceremonies have already successfully utilized the new app’s online streaming capabilities last semester.

135,000

"We pride ourselves on the hands-on experience that our members obtain and nowhere is that experience more visible than in the content that we make," said Mya Fryckman, UTVS station manager and SCSU student. "With the introduction of the app, we ensure we are staying ahead of the curve when it comes to how viewers are consuming media."

Check out a live programming schedule or watch live online at UTVS.com.

Scan QR code to download the UTVS apps to watch UTVS shows on demand 24/7 on your favorite streaming devices.

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MORE THAN

ALUMNI WORLDWIDE.

AROUND CAMPUS

Francois Gelin

Sophomore, Cybersecurity; Cybersecurity Competition Club Member

“I often tell the youth I work with that every problem can be debugged, and I had to take my own advice. Receiving a scholarship was a lifesaver. It didn’t just ease the financial pressure; it also reminded me that support exists, even in moments of uncertainty. That scholarship was one major bug I was able to fix — and it kept me moving forward.”

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2024-25 PHILANTHROPIC IMPACT REPORT READ MORE ABOUT FRANCOIS AND VIEW THE FULL PHILANTHROPIC IMPACT REPORT AT SCSU.MN/GIVE

SCSU students gather by the Blizzard statue in Husky Plaza for first day of classes photos. Students also enjoyed learning more about opportunities on campus at the Mainstreet Involvement Fair on the Atwood Mall.

ST. CLOUD STATE MAGAZINE

BY ZACH DWYER

PROMISE FULFILLED: SCSU assistant hockey coach surprises mom with walk at commencement

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St. Cloud State University assistant hockey coach Clark Kuster ’19 ’25 had a unique Mother’s Day gift for his mom Debbie in May 2025.

His first appearance in a cap and gown.

And a long-promised diploma.

Kuster never attended his high school graduation, because he was playing junior hockey nearly 300 miles away from his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. He also never walked across the stage after receiving his bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Cloud State.

But when he began his graduate program during his final year as an SCSU student-athlete in 2019, he promised his mom, a retired teacher, that he would participate in Commencement when he completed his master’s degree.

Kuster put his master’s in educational administration and leadership on hold after leaving campus in 2020. But once he was entering his second year as an SCSU assistant coach in 2024-25, he felt it was time to finish what he started.

He didn’t tell anyone when he began taking classes again, eventually telling his girlfriend Kendal, who was a big source of support as he navigated the balance of school and coaching.

Clark Kuster and his mom Debbie at commencement.

Even Kuster’s fellow coaches on the SCSU staff had no idea until he was nearing graduation.

“I got to the spring semester and only had two classes to take to graduate,” Kuster said. “I was going to finish it and walk at graduation; now I just needed to find a way to get my mom here.”

Kuster clued in his sister Brittney and his dad Joe to help him pull off the surprise. Spring 2025 Commencement happened to fall on Mother’s Day weekend, so he used the holiday as an excuse for the family to fly to Minnesota and visit.

“I told her we were going to dinner that day, so she’d be dressed up and ready to go,” Kuster recalled. “I walked out with my cap and gown on, and she didn’t even know what was happening. She thought it was a joke.”

Debbie was initially shocked before happily joining to watch Kuster receive his diploma.

“It was a pretty awesome Mother’s Day gift; I obviously did it for myself, but I really wanted to do it for her,” Kuster said. “As you get older you realize walking at graduation is important, so it was really important for me to do that.”

As you get older you realize walking at graduation is important, so it was really important for me to do that.

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It also serves as a great example for the current student-athletes 30-year-old Kuster helps mentor.

“We are really proud of him,” said SCSU head coach Brett Larson. “There’s a high workload as an assistant coach, so for him to do school at the same time is really impressive.”

PASSIONATE HUSKY Kuster’s road to St. Cloud began when he left his native St. Louis to play junior hockey for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in 2012-13.

During his first season in Iowa, he spoke with former SCSU assistant coaches Garrett Raboin and Mike Gibbons about making a trip to St. Cloud.

“After getting a feel for the players and people, the culture seemed like a great fit for me as a person,” Kuster said. “I committed a day or two after the visit. It was my first visit, and I had a few more lined up, but I knew this is where I wanted to be.”

Kuster played two more years for the RoughRiders, unfortunately tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee in his final USHL game. He played in two games his freshman season at SCSU in 2015-16 before taking a redshirt season, allowing himself to recover from a herniated disk in his back.

“We had some really good teams; it was fun to be a part of even if I didn’t play as much as anyone would want,” Kuster

said. “I was fortunate to wear a letter (as an assistant captain) my last year and play in a majority of the games. I learned a lot through those experiences that I use now.”

Kuster said he wouldn’t trade those trials of injury and limited playing time, because they played a huge role in his development as a person and future coach.

After playing in 27 games during his senior season for SCSU in 2019-20, Kuster played 43 games in the Southern Professional Hockey League for the Pensacola Ice Flyers in 2020-21. But after the season, he knew it was time to pursue his coaching ambitions.

“The first person I called even before my parents was SCSU assistant coach Nick Oliver,” Kuster said. “I told him I was done playing and I was ready to start coaching.

He was fired up and said he would start making some calls to help me out. A week or two later I got a call from St. Cloud Norsemen head coach Corey Millen that they needed a coach. I didn’t hesitate; it was an easy transition being in a city I already knew, and I had a lot of people still in the area that I was friends with.”

Oliver also set off a chain of events that led to Kuster joining the SCSU staff only

a year later. When Oliver left to take a job as head coach of the USHL’s Fargo Force, SCSU’s Director of Hockey Operations R.J. Enga took over Oliver’s assistant coach role.

That left an opening for a new director of hockey ops, and Larson, who coached Kuster during his final two seasons at SCSU, gave him a call.

“I thought a lot of him as a person when I coached him … his character was so high end, and he always put the team first,” Larson said. “I wanted a Husky on the staff; Nick had been the only Husky on the staff at the time, and getting a guy like Clark who really cares about this program and knows what it’s like to live and play here was really important.”

Kuster’s initial answer was no. With a position that deals mainly with scheduling and logistics, it didn’t seem like a traditional path for someone looking to move up the coaching ranks.

“After I talked with some people and thought about it, to get back to my alma mater and get into college hockey, it was too good of an opportunity to pass up,” Kuster said.

The following year the NCAA ap-

proved programs adding another full-time assistant coach, and Larson had no trouble offering Kuster the position.

“Our staff is a little bit older; I wanted that guy on the coaching staff who could connect with players on their level and connect with recruits in a way we can’t,” Larson said. “He knows what it’s like to play here recently and play for me … he has a strength in recruiting because of everything he’s done. Our recruits can see how passionate he is about the Huskies.”

Larson also values Kuster’s ability to share his opinion even when it goes against the grain of the more experienced coaches.

“I love that I have a guy that’s not a yes-man, he’s a guy that will tell me what he really thinks even if I don’t want to hear it,” Larson added. “He’s really grown into that in a short amount of time.”

Now over a decade removed from his first visit to St. Cloud, Kuster gets to play a major role in developing the next generation of Huskies.

“We truly want what’s best for them,” Kuster said. “We’re willing to do whatever we can to help them get to the next level … it’s fun to find guys that fit our culture and really want to be here.”

I wanted a Husky on the staff ... and getting a guy like Clark who really cares about this program and knows what it’s like to live and play here was really important.

– BRETT LARSON, SCSU MEN’S HOCKEY HEAD COACH

Left, Kuster played for St. Cloud State from 2015-20 Right, Clark Kuster was SCSU’s Director of Hockey Operations when they won the NCHC Frozen Faceoff in 2023.

ST. CLOUD STATE MAGAZINE

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BY ZACH DWYER

Photos courtesy of University Archives

ISSY SCHMIESING’S 56-point scoring record nearly 60 years old

UNBREAKABLE 1966 was a historic year for men’s basketball at St. Cloud State University.

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56 POINTS

Issy Schmiesing poses for a photo during the 1962-63 season.

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EST 1966

E

1966 was the first year the Huskies played in newly built Halenbeck Hall, which still hosts games 60 years later. The Huskies finished 9-1 in conference play to earn their fifth consecutive conference title and 10th in the previous 11 years.

But in the past six decades, one record from that season remains unbroken: the single game scoring record.

During a 104-71 win on Feb. 26, a 6-foot-8 forward from Sauk Centre poured in 56 points. He shot 20-31 from the field and made 16-20 free throws, also grabbing 20 rebounds.

It was a scoring output that has never been surpassed in over 1,600 SCSU games since.

Isidore “Issy” Schmiesing ’71 began his four-year playing career at St. Cloud State in 1962, splitting time between the JV and Varsity squad his freshman year.

“I remember starting four games in two days,” Schmeising recalls. The 81-year-old is now an avid gardener with his wife Jan on their 78-acre farm in Swanville, about 45 miles north of St. Cloud. “Coach Red Severson drove you to your limits and he expected the best. We might not have had the most talented players, but we had the hardest workers.”

Schmiesing was also a key contributor his sophomore year as the Huskies made it to the second round of the NAIA National Tournament, and his junior year he was named first team all-conference.

But his 1965-66 season was one for the record books. The captain led the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (present-day Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) in scoring (27.2 points per game) and rebounding (15.3 rebounds per game) to earn Player of the Year honors.

While St. Cloud State ended their season with a heartbreaking 50-48 loss to St. Thomas in the NAIA Tournament, it was their final game of the regular season at Halenbeck Hall the prior week that still stands as a historic moment in the program’s 100+ year history.

THE GAME Were there any special instructions before the historic night from legendary coach Red Severson?

“Feed Schmiesing the ball,” Issy recalled.

Schmiesing began the game only 30 points shy of Dave Westlund’s 1956 record for points scored in a single season.

While he started off slowly with only five points in the first eight minutes, Schmiesing notched 23 points in the remainder of the half to nearly equal Michigan Tech’s entire first half output.

“I remember I had two free throws at the end of the half to break that record and missed them both,” he said with a laugh. “They had a banner ready and everything.”

Schmiesing broke Westlund’s season scoring record only one minute into the second half, and the scoring didn’t stop there.

Schmiesing’s final tally of 56 points in the victory over Michigan Tech still stands as the NSIC regular season conference record for points in a single game.

I remember starting four games in two days ... Coach Red Severson drove you to your limits and he expected the best.

– ISSY SCHMIESING ’71

The College Chronicle from March 1, 1966, stated, “When Huskies coach Red Severson pulled Schmiesing with 4:06 remaining in the game, the crowd of 1,900 gave Izzy a standing ovation and Michigan Tech coach Verdie Cox left his team to congratulate Schmiesing on a great performance.”

The St. Cloud Times added, “There aren’t enough superlatives in the English language to describe the performance.”

Evenly netting 28 points in each half, Schmiesing was a perfect 10-10 on free throws in the second half. No other player on St. Cloud State finished in double figures.

Sophomore Tom Ditty, who had four points in the game, had a unique way of tallying Schmiesing’s output.

“Me and Izz had 60 tonight,” Schmiesing laughed, recalling Ditty’s postgame comments in the locker room. “He was funny like that.”

Schmiesing’s 56 points blew away the previous school record of 42 scored by threetime All-American Vern Baggenstoss in a loss to UW-Stout in 1957.

The record-breaking night was the last time Schmiesing would lace up his shoes for a regular season game on St. Cloud State’s campus.

ST. CLOUD STATE MAGAZINE

15

Issy Schmiesing (center) holds the NIC Conference Championship trophy with teammates in Oct. 1964

There aren’t enough superlatives in the English language to describe the performance.

– ST. CLOUD TIMES, ON ISSY’S PERFORMANCE

LEGACY Schmiesing’s name still fills the SCSU record books in career stats like points per game, field goals made, free throws made, rebounds and field goal percentage.

While many of his records from the 1960s have been equaled or surpassed, his 56-point outburst remains unscathed. The closest any SCSU player has come was 50 points by Joel McDonald in 1994.

Schmiesing capped off his four-year SCSU career by being named to the NAIA All-America second team. He also strongly believes his teammate Dave Linnehan, who also played from 196266, would’ve joined him as an All-American if he didn’t suffer a knee injury early in the 1965-66 season.

While Schmiesing was out of college eligibility after 1966, his playing career didn’t end. He tried out for the NBA’s Chicago Bulls before their inaugural season, and he also toured Europe with a team sponsored by Gulf Oil. “We played teams all over Europe for six to eight weeks and we only lost once; we even beat the French national team,” Schmiesing said.

Some of his teammates from the tour went on to play in the ABA, the NBA’s rival league in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Schmiesing also played semi-professional basketball for the Hartford Capitols of the Eastern Professional Basketball League, playing alongside 1957 World Series winner and three-time NBA champ Gene Conley.

Issy Schmiesing and head coach Red Severson are pictured during the 1962-63 season in Eastman Hall.

HT TP S://TODAY.STCLOUDSTATE.EDU/MAG | FALL 2025 / WINTER 2026

After leaving his basketball career behind, Schmiesing returned to Central Minnesota and earned his physical education degree from St. Cloud State in 1971.

He’d later get a special education degree, going on to teach in Sandstone and Little Falls for nearly three decades before retiring in 2005.

“I was a shy kid and wasn’t into speaking to groups; I was undecided when I came to St. Cloud,” Schmiesing said. “If you told me I’d end up teaching 29 years of my life, I’d think you were crazy.”

Schmiesing was inducted into the SCSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1984 and was part of the Sauk Centre Mainstreeter Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 2010.

He was joined by his younger brother Joe, who played seven seasons in the NFL from 1968-74.

For someone who loved rebounding and recalls head coach Red Severson praising him for his willingness to pass the ball, it’s ironic that a scoring record is what endures almost 60 years after his final game in a St. Cloud State uniform.

“I didn’t play to break records; I played because I enjoyed the game” Schmiesing said. “Basketball has been good to me.”

I didn’t play to break records; I played because I enjoyed the game. Basketball has been good to me.

– ISSY SCHMIESING ’71

Huskies, share your story at scsu.mn/ourscsu

17

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ST. CLOUD STATE MAGAZINE

Jack Christopher started Silent Run Adventures in the 2000s after he and his dogs had spent a couple years dogsled training. Raising Siberian huskies isn’t for the faint of heart, according to Christopher.

The dogs need work to do, such as pulling sleds or training.

HT TP S://TODAY.STCLOUDSTATE.EDU/MAG | FALL 2025 / WINTER 2026

They look like Blizzard – JACK CHRISTOPHER ’88

Leader of the Pack An alumnus who lives, trains and mushes with huskies

BY COLLEEN HARRISON

Scan the QR code to read more #OurSCSU stories

hen you pull down the drive of Silent Run Adventures and are greeted by the sounds of 35 Siberian huskies howling to announce your arrival, you quickly realize the sled dog farm is silent in name only.

St. Cloud State University alumnus Jack Christopher ’88 wouldn’t have it any other way.

“No one’s breaking in here,” he said.

Christopher earned his bachelor’s in marketing and business from SCSU in 1988.

He’d spend the next 15 years working in the electronics industry, selling and servicing small-footprint devices such as pin pads or check readers. He eventually was a part-owner in the company he had worked for, before the group sold the business. In the meantime, he had already started Silent Run Adventures, and decided it was time to focus on the business full time.

Silent Run Adventures is about 17 years old now. Christopher and his wife, Kris, travel with the dogs and bring them to events all over the state and region. However, the majority of their business is bringing visitors to their farm in Monticello, Minnesota. Guests can go on dogsled rides, learn about the huskies and check out the barn — where the Christophers have Scottish sheep and a miniature horse as well as various types of goats, turkeys and chickens. Of course, each visitor gets an up-close experience with the purebred Siberian huskies.

“They look like Blizzard,” Christopher said.

The connection to his alma mater is continued with almost all of his gear and branding — from his utility trailer and sleds to the Silent Run Adventures logo — all in red and black. His first intro to “husky type” dogs occurred at St. Cloud State, when he took in a Samoyed as a student.

“Samoyeds are husky type dogs — great big white dogs, long hair. I call him my intro husky,” he said. “If I wouldn’t have been able to handle a Samoyed, I never would have been able to move up to Siberians, because Siberians are their own challenge.”

While Samoyeds are protective and extremely loyal, Christopher said they’re much easier to handle than Siberian huskies.

W

ST. CLOUD STATE MAGAZINE

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Jack and Kris Christopher own Silent Run Adventures, which offers dogsled rides, and kennel and barnyard visits at the property in Monticello, Minnesota.

20

I’ve got pictures in my barn of dogs pulling a sled and they have the biggest grins on their face you can hardly believe. They’re in their element. They love what they’re doing.

– JACK CHRISTOPHER ’88

“Siberians are extremely independent.

They need you for what they need you for.

They still love you, they still want to be around you, but for the most part, ‘Feed me, pet me a little bit, and other than that, I’m good.’ And they’re runners. There’s evidence the breed’s been around for close to 5,000 years, so they’ve been around pulling something for a long time,” he said.

“Sometimes I compare it to a pointing dog.

You don’t have to teach a pointer to point.

They just do it instinctively. You don’t need to teach a Siberian to pull. It’s in their DNA. Sometimes there’s no making them go. Sometimes it’s a big challenge to get them to stop. That’s our biggest challenge, is just keeping control of the dogs because a loose dog is often a lost dog.”

MUSHER IN-TRAINING Christopher first started learning sled dog training after graduating from SCSU, when he moved out to Colorado with his Samoyed and met some sled dog owners while out skiing. He started applying the training techniques to his dog, and by the time he moved back to Minnesota they had the left and right commands down. A year later, Chritopher got his first Siberian husky, and added a second one the year after that. He credits his Samoyed with helping to teach his first two huskies. Once

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he moved out to Monticello, Christopher built a kennel that has since expanded dozens of times over.

“Seems like once you do that, then the phone starts ringing,” he said. “I’d get messages pinned to my door, ‘I’ve got this husky, he’s eating up my house, will you take him?’ And I took in about a dozen rescues or rehomes at that time and bought a used sled and started driving.”

Christopher was largely self-taught, until he met musher Kelly Murphy of Ely, Minnesota, during a trip up to the Boundary Waters. Murphy gave Christopher a number of tips for everything from movements to equipment, and built a freight sled for Christopher. By the late ’90s Christopher was mushing two teams of dogs.

“I pretty much figured things out on my own with a lot of Kelly’s help after I got going, and realized that when the time came, I could probably make a business out of this,” Christopher said.

He credits brutal winter runs in the Boundary Waters with helping him and the dogs hone their craft. Most mushers seen in races are running mixed-breed dogs they call Alaskan huskies, according to Christopher. Raising Siberian huskies and teaching them to pull sleds instead of race is entirely different. Christopher would train with 300 pounds of steel in the sled to get himself as well as the dogs used to pulling the weight. The work has paid off.

“We’ve developed a pretty good business. We’ve got a strong reputation,” Christopher said. “We’re ranked really high as far as dogsled ride providers.”

HIGH-ENERGY HUSKIES He’s now owned Siberian huskies for over 30 years, and estimates he’s had at least 150 dogs altogether.

“I’ve learned a lot. My first couple dogs taught me a lot, so I don’t make too many mistakes these days, but every now and then something happens. I really got hooked on the breed. Those dogs need something to do. When they don’t have anything to do, that’s when problems are happening,” Christopher said. “An idle

making sure the huskies are having fun and aren’t overworking themselves.

“Every now and then I get clients who ask, ‘How can you make your dogs do that?’ There’s no making them do it.

You’re just trying to control the chaos,” Christopher said. “They do it very instinctively. I’ve got pictures in my barn of dogs pulling a sled and they have the biggest grins on their face you can hardly believe.

They’re in their element. They love what they’re doing; that’s all they want to do.

When we’re hooking up a team, it’s like we compare it to picking teams in gym class.

‘Pick me, pick me, pick me.’ They’re all howling and barking. And some of them know who they run next to. So if you grab one dog, they know they’re next. They don’t come with a manual. Someday when I retire, maybe I’ll write a manual.

“I’m sure Blizzard’s much easier to control than our huskies.”

You don’t have to teach a Siberian to pull.

It’s in their DNA. – JACK CHRISTOPHER ’88

Siberian is up to mischief. In fact, I have a dog named Mischief. He’s got a sister named Mayhem. I have a Chaos and a Havoc, and they’re suitable for what huskies are. If it’s too quiet outside in the kennel, I have to go see what’s up. If it’s too loud out in the kennel, I have to go see what’s up. Either they’re digging or they’re chewing or they’re doing something they maybe shouldn’t be doing.”

The Christophers make sure to try and educate visitors to the farm about Siberian huskies, and how they’re not meant to be house pets.

“Come see us, go home and still have furniture and carpets and drapes and a yard. My usual quip is, if your house is wrapped in steel — like the backside of mine that butts up to the house kennel is steel and aluminum — and your yard looks like a moonscape, you might have a Siberian husky,” Christopher said. “People like their yards, and huskies and grass don’t mix. I build a new kennel, and the grass is gone in a week.”

The dogs need to be kept cool in the Minnesota summers.

The Christophers have 25- to 45-gallon water tanks throughout their kennels for dogs to cool off in, as well as shade and air-conditioned dog houses.

They don’t start training for the next season until around November, or whenever it gets down to 30 degrees at most.

In summer 2025, Christopher had a few dogs staying in the house rehabbing from ACL tears or surgical repairs, as well as others who have aged out of mushing.

The Christophers have taken in rescues or rehomes from time to time, and previously bred two of their own huskies to add numbers to their teams of sled dogs. Training in young dogs is a process that spans years, and even more so if they’re overcoming poor or training with an adopted dog. The key with young dogs is building up their strength, but the most important part is

Christopher estimates he’s had around 150 huskies throughout his life.

From farm visits to regional events, Silent Run Adventures shares the husky spirit wherever the trail leads.

ST. CLOUD STATE MAGAZINE

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HUSKIES FOOD PANTRY

PLAYS ESSENTIAL ROLE ON CAMPUS. 22

BY CASSIDY SWANSON ’15

If it weren’t for Al (Goracke), we wouldn’t have it.

– DR. REBECCA PEINE, SCSU INTERIM DEAN OF STUDENTS, ON PARTNERSHIP WITH HOPE FOR THE COMMUNITY

Part of the pantry’s success is due to its partnership with 501c3 non-profit humanitarian organization, Hope for the Community, where Dr. Alan Goracke ’85 is founder, president and CEO.

HT TP S://TODAY.STCLOUDSTATE.EDU/MAG | FALL 2025 / WINTER 2026

F

ood insecurity is a significant challenge for college students.

This creates additional stress and affects their physical and mental health, which in turn impacts their academic performance. Asking for help isn’t easy. That’s why the Huskies Food Pantry, opened in January 2020, is founded on giving choice, respect and support.

A recent study found that 42 percent of SCSU students have experienced food insecurity, with many reporting that they: can’t afford balanced meals (51 percent), worry about food running out (44 percent) and cut portion sizes or skip meals (32 percent).

In response, the Huskies Food Pantry supported students through 9,719 pantry visits last year and distributed over 111,220 pounds of food. The pantry has served 1,665 unique students, approximately 16 percent of the student population.

The pantry’s journey has been one of adaptation and growth.

It started in the James W. Miller Learning Resources Center, moved briefly to Atwood Memorial Center during the height of COVID-19 (when it operated more like a pickup service with deliveries for students who were sick or unable to leave home), moved into Case-Hill Hall and eventually returned to the Miller Center in the summer of 2024.

The new space, renovated with intention, now feels like a retail store. Shelves acquired from the campus bookstore line the walls, replacing the wire racks and folding tables of the past. Students can

OPENED IN JANUARY 2020

42%

SCSU students have experienced food insecurity

9,719

SCSU HUSKIES FOOD PANTRY VISITS LAST YEAR

Elayna Christopher shops in the Huskies Food Pantry.

grab a shopping basket, browse clearly labeled sections and choose the items they need. This is all part of a “choice model” that prioritizes dignity, autonomy and equity.

111,220+ pounds of food distributed

CAMPUS-WIDE EFFORT Each week, about 250 students visit the pantry. Some students come regularly, others only when their grocery budget falls short.

The pantry is open to all students, and the process is made simple: Shoppers fill out a checkout form with their student ID and household size, and the food they take is weighed to help track usage.

The pantry is staffed by a graduate assistant and student employees who manage day-to-day operations, including receiving shipments, restocking shelves, answering questions and prepping for delivery days. They’ve become experts in logistics, customer service and community care.

The pantry’s recent transformation was guided in part by the SuperShelf program, a University of Minnesota Extension initiative that helps food shelves create welcoming, health-focused environments. Staff learned how to merchandise shelves, prioritize fresh and nutritious items and design a space that feels intentional. Now, produce and dairy are the first things students see when they walk in, followed by proteins, grains and snacks. The layout encourages healthy choices and makes shopping easier. Perhaps most importantly, it gives shoppers a choice.

ST. CLOUD STATE MAGAZINE

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Gabby Stich looks at a box of food in the Huskies Food Pantry.

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250

students visit the pantry weekly

Some items are harder to source; baking supplies, condiments and spices are often in shorter supply at the pantry. Personal care items are also in high demand. Donations from faculty, staff and the community help fill these gaps. In-kind donations of shelf-stable goods and monetary contributions are especially appreciated.

Athletics has hosted food drives at sporting events, and Herberger Business School has been a consistent supporter, with leadership helping spread the message that caring for and serving students is a shared responsibility.

New initiatives are even popping up across campus. Lindsey Kiffmeyer in admissions is launching “Food Shelf Fridays,” encouraging departments to collect non-perishables and arrange pickups. Outreach to local businesses and wholesalers is ongoing, as the pantry seeks to build sustainable partnerships.

HOPE FOR THE COMMUNITY Part of the pantry’s success is due to its partnership with 501c3 non-profit humanitarian organization, Hope for the Community.

“If it weren’t for Al, we wouldn’t have it,” said Dr. Rebecca Peine, interim dean of students at SCSU. Dr. Alan Goracke ’85 is the founder, president and CEO of Hope for the Community. He’s also an alumnus of SCSU.

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Hope for the Community was born, in part, due to Goracke’s passion for both the business world and for serving people. Its foundation was also a response to the Great Recession from 2007–2009.

The organization started out by helping families and elderly folks before expanding into campus food pantries, with its first college location opening at Anoka Technical College in 2019. Today, approximately 800 campuses have established food pantries compared to 80 campuses 10 years ago. Hope for the Community built partnerships with two local food banks in the Twin Cities: Second Harvest Heartland and The Food Group.

In its first week of operation, Hope for the Community served 27 families. In 2024, 14 years after it was founded, the organization served 96,000 families and 2.3 million pounds of food. Hope for the Community has become one of the largest food shelves in Minnesota.

In 2022, the Huskies Food Pantry was in operation, but it was more of a transactional model. There were no coolers for refrigerated items, no freezers for frozen meals, no countertops. Goracke wanted to serve his alma mater, so he reached out.

With some funding, he helped transform the pantry into what it is today: a place designed to serve students.

With Hope for the Community as the pantry’s agency partner, the pantry can access food items through Second Harvest Heartland. This allows for the purchase of a high volume of food at a low cost. The pantry is supplied with everything from fresh produce and dairy products to frozen meals and shelf-stable goods.

EVER-GROWING Every week at the pantry is different. One week, there might be an abundance of black beans, and the next, a surprise delivery of ice cream. This summer, a pallet of large watermelons arrived. Staff weren’t sure students would want them, but they were snatched up quickly. One student even carried out a 34-pound melon, and there was a line the next day as more students waited to get their hands on the summer fruit.

“You never know what will resonate,” said Peine.

To help students make the most of what’s available, the pantry has started building out recipe cards — especially for surplus items that students may not otherwise know how to incorporate into meals, like raisins. It’s all part of a broader effort to make the pantry not just a resource, but a place of empowerment.

That’s how the success of the Huskies Food Pantry will continue — with partnership, vision and a whole lot of heart.

The HUSKIES FOOD PANTRY relies on the support of the community. The pantry welcomes community business sponsors to donate bulk foods, supplies and services.

Financial gifts and in-kinds donations are also welcomed. Interested individuals can find a list of donation needs and more on the Huskies Food Pantry website, stcloudstate.edu/huskiesfoodpantry

ST. CLOUD STATE MAGAZINE

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Alumna looks to create country music culture of tomorrow

BY COLLEEN HARRISON

...Programming and curating and working with talent. It was my experience at the University Program Board 26 (UPB) that really did set me on my path.

– STACY VEE ’98 ON BEING A STUDENT IN UPB, NOW NAMED HUSKIES EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES TEAM

Scan the QR code to read more #OurSCSU stories

S

tacy Vee ’98 has always loved music — so much so that she’s made a career out of celebrating it.

A graduate of St. Michael-Albertville High School, Vee didn’t need to look far when considering universities.

“St. Cloud State University had a wonderful reputation, both in academia as well as experience, and had a beautiful campus. I really wanted to stay on campus my first year, so having dorms and a bigger college was a priority to me,” she said. “I selected St. Cloud State University as my college and had a wonderful experience.”

While a student in the speech communication program, Vee joined the University Program Board — now called the Huskies Events and Activities Team — as the special events coordinator.

“That is really what made a huge impact on my life and was the first taste of experience — programming and curating and working with talent,” she said. “It was that experience at the University Program Board that really did set me on my path.”

Vee is currently executive vice president with concert and music festival promoter Goldenvoice. She does everything from booking talent to managing creative and marketing plans, ticketing, site operations and everything in between.

“Everything falls under my jurisdiction. I’m a very hands-on concert promoter, so everything from aesthetic to vibe to where things are placed,” she said. “I have a hand in all of that. And I really do think that is what makes the difference in live events.”

It’s been a long journey for Vee, as she’s been with Goldenvoice for 23 years. She started as an assistant and worked her way up.

“I gained a lot of experience being very hands-on and getting to do every single job that exists. I really do have appreciation for what it takes and what each member of my team does, because chances are I’ve done it myself at one time,” she said. “It’s been a really rewarding and exciting journey.”

From booking The Wallflowers while at SCSU to now producing the Stagecoach Music Festival, or “country music’s biggest party,” organizing and being a self-proclaimed ringleader have long come naturally to Vee. Taking things to the next level comes pretty easily, too.

“I like to push boundaries. I want to create the country music culture of tomorrow and create an environment where everybody feels welcome. I think that country music specifically is a really exciting genre that has deep history, but the genre is so dynamic and I just see an opportunity within this genre to grow,” she said. “It’s the fastest growing genre internationally, and that’s exciting to me because the path is not yet written in a lot of places.

I feel by taking chances and giving unique voices a spotlight and trying new things, I can help determine that path.”

Vee’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by her industry colleagues. She was named the 2025 Country Power Players Executive of the Year by Billboard, and was presented with the award by Garth Brooks during the ceremony.

“That was incredible, because that is something that’s determined by people who have been making an impact in the country music space for a long time,” she said. “To be selected by so many people who I respect and admire and have looked up to for a long time really, really means the world.”

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I selected St. Cloud State University as my college and had a wonderful experience.

– STACY VEE ’98

27

Stacy Vee is executive vice president for concert and music festival promoter Goldenvoice. Vee credits her time on SCSU’s University Program Board with giving her relevant skills and experience in her field when first starting out.

ST. CLOUD STATE MAGAZINE

Vee produces the Stagecoach Music Festival, “country music’s biggest party.” Through her role, Vee does everything from booking talent to managing creative and marketing plans, ticketing, site operations and everything in between.

Talent at country music’s biggest party, Stagecoach Musical Festival.

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While she’s worked with some of the biggest names in country music, one of the most rewarding parts of Vee’s job is seeing her staff grow and achieve their goals. Seeing them develop professionally has a mirroring effect.

Vee encouraged students to get involved with St. Cloud State and everything it has to offer. The University’s programs and clubs can provide real-life experience, add to resumes and help determine career paths. No job is too small.

“I graduated in 1998, so times have changed quite a bit, but I think the fundamentals have stayed the same. I come from an era where you really did have to pay your dues for a while to get to experience some growth, but there’s so many lessons that can be learned,” she said. “Be open, and anything that you’re responsible for, do it 10 times better than it needs to be. People will notice how seriously you take your work and that they can count on you and that they don’t need to remind you to finish a project. That’s when more responsibility and growth will come.”

Be open, and anything you’re responsible for, do it 10 times better than it needs to be...

– STACY VEE ’98 HT TP S://TODAY.STCLOUDSTATE.EDU/MAG | FALL 2025 / WINTER 2026

Read more

Read more

Charlie Curtis

Justin Turkowski ’07

Curtis leverages their undergrad queer resource experience to shape SCSU’s LGBT Resource Center.

Turkowski’s journey behind the lens has revealed a world of possibilities.

Building community through university’s LGBT Resource Center

A life spent in the water and behind the lens

29

Through the stories of our Huskies community, we celebrate the diversity and strength of our SCSU. Read more stories at scsu.mn/ourscsu

Read more

Read more

Sandeep Acharya ’99

Lindsey Lounsbury ’22

Alumnus brings jobs to his home country through tech business

Passion for radio launches alumna’s career

Acharya has made a career of connecting people and businesses with technology.

Lounsbury fell in love with radio before she even attended St. Cloud State University.

ST. ST. CLOUD CLOUD STATE STATE MAGAZINE MAGAZINE

For the love of the game.

Huskies baseball alumni continue careers in MLB leadership roles

BY COLLEEN HARRISON

Jordan Smith was named the 2025 Carolina League Manager of the Year. Smith is manager of the Lynchburg Hillcats — the Cleveland Guardians’ Class A affiliate.

He (Dad) coached me basically all the way up in some capacity. It was just one of those things where it was a passion of his, and then it quickly became a strong passion of mine.

– JORDAN SMITH ’21

Scan the QR code to read more #OurSCSU stories

HT TP S://TODAY.STCLOUDSTATE.EDU/MAG | FALL 2025 / WINTER 2026

Trevor Cho is an assistant hitting coach with the Buffalo Bisons — the Class AAA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.

S

t. Cloud State University alumni Jordan Smith ’21 and Trevor Cho can’t remember a time in their lives when they didn’t love

baseball.

Originally from Willmar, Minnesota, Smith grew up playing baseball with his family. From annual games in the backyard every Thanksgiving to playing catch with his uncles, it was almost always involved in most family outings. The person who really introduced Smith to baseball, though, was his father.

“My dad enjoyed it. I think any kid — when your dad’s passionate about something, you want to spend time around your dad,” he said. “He coached me basically all the way up in some capacity. It was just one of those things where it was a passion of his, and then it quickly became a strong passion of mine.”

For Cho, growing up in the golden age of Derek Jeter is what cemented his love for baseball.

“I’m from Milwaukee and I grew up a Brewers fan, but really the first player I remember was Derek Jeter,” Cho said. “Ever since I was probably 4 or 5 years old, the only thing I really wanted to be in life was the shortstop for the Yankees, just like my childhood hero.”

Both Smith and Cho were looking for the next logical step for their respective baseball careers as they graduated high school. Enter SCSU coach Pat Dolan.

“Coming out of high school, I really didn’t know what I wanted to do. I think every kid in Minnesota wants to go to the U of M because it’s the only Division I

When I think back to St. Cloud, it was a very exciting time in my life.

31

– TREVOR CHO

school in the state, so that’s where I wanted to play without knowing anything,” Smith said. “As I went throughout the recruiting process, I just really loved Dolan — his consistency and his passion, the way he was constantly communicating with me. SCSU just felt like a place where I would be able to go and play and feel wanted.”

“When I think back to St. Cloud, it was a very exciting time in my life. You’re in college for the first time and you always dreamed about playing college baseball,” Cho said. “Coach Dolan — recruiting me and going through that experience with him and all the classic ‘Dolanisms’ — I’ll always remember that.”

Cho and Smith each spent two seasons with the Huskies before moving on in their baseball trajectories. Cho transferred to University of Wisconsin-Whitewater,

while Smith was drafted by Major League Baseball as the highest draft pick in SCSU program history.

Smith played nearly 800 games over seven minor league seasons, reaching as high as AAA before joining the Cleveland Guardians’ minor league coaching staff.

While coaching outfield defense, baserunning and some catching through the years, he completed his SCSU degree in 2021.

He has spent the last four years managing, and is now manager of the reigning Carolina League champion Lynchburg Hillcats — the Guardians’ Class A affiliate.

“It was a magical season of guys continuing to step up,” Smith said. “When a leader would get called up and his career would advance, we’re like, ‘Alright, who wants to take advantage of this opportunity to not only play more, but to be able to lead more?’”

ST. CLOUD STATE MAGAZINE

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While Cho played baseball and finished school in Wisconsin, he also started coaching.

“Life got a little crazy for me. I would wake up in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

I would drive 40 minutes to Madison, be there around 9 or 10 a.m. I’d do all the college stuff, games, practices and all from 10 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m. And then I would drive an hour to Waukesha, do lessons from 4 to 8 p.m. and then I would actually drive back to Whitewater and bartend from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.,” Cho said. “So that life was a little crazy, but that’s what it takes to be a young coach.”

Cho then went on the road as a coach with STiKS Academy baseball, before heading to Missouri State University for his master’s degree and to work as a graduate assistant coach with the baseball program.

He moved through coaching positions with different universities and organizations before he set his sights on coaching with the pros, and is now an assistant hitting coach with the Buffalo Bisons — the Class AAA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.

While both Smith and Cho want their respective teams to succeed on the field, managing and coaching is about more than improving stats and racking up wins.

“For me, it’s being a leader, teaching young men how to fail and continue to persevere. My biggest thing is I want to invest in them as men first and then baseball second. The point of all that is what they learn in baseball — the challenges, the failure, they’re going to be able to use that for the rest of their lives no matter what they strive to do,” Smith said. “Baseball is a very, very small window and it’s really, really hard to get to the highest level. I wasn’t able to get there. I know how hard it is to get there; I know the work and the commitment and the sacrifice it takes. So for me, it’s just bringing a lot of perspective into it.”

“It’s more so just walking next to them,” Cho said. “It’s funny; I’m the same age or a lot of these guys are older than me. So it’s definitely not a, ‘Hey, do this.’

It’s more so like, ‘I see this is happening in

Smith’s baseball career is a family journey, with his wife and children cheering him on during spring training and home games.

It’s incredible to see your 8-year-old son just on cloud nine and your daughter being pumped, and being able to kiss your wife and just know that all this work and sacrifice is not for nothing.

– JORDAN SMITH ’21, ON WINNING THE CAROLINA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

the game. How do you think we need to attack this?’ I think one thing I’ve done well this year is to just be a sounding board for the guys. If they need to talk about something, it’s more so just hearing them out and understanding whatever their situation is and just being a support role in that.”

The relationship-building aspect of coaching is something Cho and Smith first found at St. Cloud State.

“It was just one of those places for me that was just the perfect fit. I didn’t know it at the time, but now looking back, that couldn’t have been any better,” Smith said. “I’ll truly give God the credit for being able to steer me there: when I was an 18-year-old kid, not knowing what I wanted, but Dolan being able to step up and be that guy who was consistent and stood behind his word was something that did and still means a lot to me.”

For their old coach, it’s been fun watching his former players thrive.

“You could see their baseball coaching and managing skills as players with the Huskies.

They both had an unbelievable knowledge of the game and they both have that quiet-confidence-type of demeanor,” Dolan said. “I don’t think it would surprise any of us to see both

HT TP S://TODAY.STCLOUDSTATE.EDU/MAG | FALL 2025 / WINTER 2026

Focus on being a good teammate, doing things the right way. ... The only things people really do remember are how you acted as a teammate and how you were as a person off the field.

– TREVOR CHO

Cho moved through coaching positions with different universities and organizations before he set his sights on coaching with the pros. Cho keeps in touch with his past coaches, including former SCSU assistant coach Rob “Doc” Swendra, pictured here with Cho.

of them in an MLB dugout and maybe even as a manager in the future.”

In addition to Dolan, Cho appreciated his time with former SCSU assistant coach Rob “Doc” Swendra.

“He was absolutely phenomenal. We played in St. Paul this year and he was able to come to a game. He’s a guy I’ve seen at a lot of coaching conventions and definitely stayed in close contact with him,” Cho said. “He was such a good coach, walking alongside guys and he was never really telling us what to do. He was kind of always in the trenches with us and he almost felt like a player.”

Looking to the future, both Smith and Cho look at the bigger picture. Cho remembers asking longtime Missouri State coach Keith Guttin about the longevity of coaching.

“One of the questions I asked Coach Guttin was, ‘When you first got the job, did you ever think you’d be the head coach here for 40-plus years?’ And he goes, ‘Trevor, literally the only thing I’ve ever tried to do is win the next game that we had,’” Cho said. “I think that keeps a lot of things in perspective. I think that keeps you where your feet are, and I think that’s something I try to do.”

For Smith, it’s important that his wife and children are part of the baseball journey.

“This last championship that we won was such a cool family accomplishment. It’s in-

credible to see your 8-year-old son just on cloud nine and your daughter being pumped, and being able to kiss your wife and just know that all this work and sacrifice is not for nothing,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t be here without them. Between them and the Lord, they’re my rock.”

Whether looking to continue playing or move into coaching, Cho and Smith encouraged current Huskies to keep grinding and remember their love for the game.

“Follow your passion. The game is going to take care of itself if you play it the right way and you commit to it. You’re going to find out how good you are as you play the game. Certain doors will open, certain doors won’t. Walk through those doors that open for you,” Smith said. “Respect the game, play it the right way. The game doesn’t owe them or me or anyone anything. It’s a game that’s been around for hundreds of years. If you respect it, you’ll continue to make relationships in the game. You don’t know how or where it’ll take you, but it’s a fun, fun path for sure.”

“If you have that mindset when it comes to baseball, you’re going to be in a good spot, because even on the coaching side, there’s so much failure in this,” Cho said. “You’re going to get beat up physically, mentally. There’s going to be draining days, but you just have to keep going.

“Don’t be worried about your performance in the game that night. Focus on being a good teammate, doing things the right way. And when you do see these guys in the future, you’re not going to talk about the time when you went 4-4 or if you were an All-American or not. The only things people really do remember are how you acted as a teammate and how you were as a person off the field.”

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#OURSCSU COMMUNITY #OurSCSU community connected for multiple events this year, both in the greater St. Cloud area and throughout Minnesota. Go to scsu.mn/events to see all the upcoming events.

HOMECOMING Our favorite celebration did not disappoint!

Thank you to everyone in #OurSCSU community who celebrated Homecoming 2025 with us in October.

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SCSU DAY AT TARGET FIELD Huskies went out to a ballgame in May when the Twins took on the White Sox. Interim President Larry Dietz threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

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