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Minot State Athletics
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'82 MSU grad and former beaver basketball player recognized Aberdeen, SD, April 21, 2008: Schwan Financial Group, LLC has been selected by Goldline Research as one of The Most Dependable Wealth Managers of the Central U.S. for 2008. The list of the Most Dependable Wealth Managers of the Central U.S. is scheduled to be published in the May 19th Issue of Forbes Magazine.
"We are extremely appreciative and grateful for all our clients. This recognition acknowledges all the concern, commitment and hard work of the team at our company. It will also encourage and motivate our firm to continually challenge ourselves to find the most effective ways to serve our clients wants and needs!" stated John P. Schwan, CEO & Founder of Schwan Financial Group. He went on to say, "We must continue to execute and transform relationships from creating value to being valuable.
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MSU Beaver Fan Bus
The MSU Athletic Department is organizing a fan bus for the MSU FB game vs. Concordia St Paul on Sept 6th, 2008. A charter bus will be leaving the MSU dome on Friday, Sept 5th and will be returning Saturday, Sept 6th immediately following the game. The cost is $75 per seat for the transportation to the game.
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DAC Partners with B2 Network to Broadcast Conference Events DICKINSON, ND - B2 Networks and the Dakota Athletic Conference today announced a multi-year partnership to broadcast regular season and conference championship events from the campuses of the conference’s eight members. The partnership, which is the first between B2 Networks and an NAIA conference, will begin with the 2008-09 academic year.
The Dakota Athletic Conference is an eight-member conference with all institutions located in North Dakota and South Dakota. The member institutions are Black Hills State (Spearfish, S.D.), Dakota State (Madison, S.D.), Dickinson State (Dickinson, N.D.), Jamestown (Jamestown, N.D.), Mayville State (Mayville, N.D.), Minot State (Minot, N.D.), South Dakota School of Mines (Rapid City, S.D.) and Valley City State (Valley City, N.D.).
"The partnership with B2 networks is a very exciting venture for the Dakota Athletic Conference and can only make a great conference greater. In addition to recruiting area athletes the conference members have been reaching out to distant states and foreign countries to fill their rosters," said LaVern Jessen, DAC Commissioner. "Families, friends, & alumni, no matter where they are located in the world, will now be able to watch live any football, basketball or volleyball contest. I also anticipate that in the future, viewing opportunities will expand to additional sports and other campus activities."
Over the course of the next three years, B2 Networks will broadcast DAC football, women's volleyball and men's and women's basketball, with the possibility of adding more sports throughout the course of the deal. Fans will be able to access the games on a pay-per-view basis. In addition, season passes will be available for individual sports. Prices and other details will be announced at a later date.
"B2 Networks is excited about partnering with the Dakota Athletic Conference," stated Richard Brosal, B2 Networks Executive Vice President for Business Operations and Marketing. "This is a high quality conference that is a perfect fit in the B2 family. With the average distance between DAC campuses being nearly 300 miles, this partnership will bridge the distance by bringing the games right into homes of DAC fans anywhere in the world."
B2 Networks is a premier provider of reliable and secure international television and pay-per-view broadcasting systems. Our worldwide network of arenas, stadiums, local venues and data centers are currently in use to distribute live sports and events to personal computers, television screens, mobile devices and commercial venues around the world. Working with organizations such as the AHL, ECHL, NLL, IHL, USHL, NAHL, Arena Football Leagues and selected NCAA and NAIA conferences and member institutions, B2 Networks has established itself as a leader in innovative global direct to home, mobile and television broadcasting. For the B2 Networks' Programming Guide visit www.b2tv.com, or for information about B2 Networks, visit www.b2now.com.
Minot State women win opening-round upset
Minot State University women’s basketball team upset Shawnee (Ohio) State 94-82 in the first round of the 2008 NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament Wednesday (March 12) in Sioux City, Iowa.
"The way we came into this tournament, I don’t think we felt too nervous," MSU head coach Sheila Green Gerding said. "We felt this was kind of a rebirth. The kids came out relaxed.
The Beavers beat the Bears at their own game with solid 3-point shooting and a strong transition. MSU hit 9 of 15 3-pointers, while holding a normally strong shooting Shawnee State team to just 3-for-17 from beyond the arc.
"We got out on their shooters," MSU senior Kendra Meyer said. "Everybody did their job. We knew coming in that they wanted to shoot 3s and we did a good job of taking that away from them."
Meyer lead the team with a game-high 28 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Brittni Walker added 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks to capture the MSU victory.
The Beavers (20-10), a No. 7 seed for the third-straight time at the national tournament, knocked off a No. 2 seed for the second time in three trips to the tournament.
MSU will play William Jewell, who upset defending champion Indiana Wesleyan in the first round, Friday at 4 p.m.
-partially excerpted from the Minot Daily News
MSU men place four on Dac All-Conference
Minot State University Men have place four players on the Dakota Athletic Conference All-Conference Team for the 2007-08 season. Matt Witwer, a 6'5' Senior from Minot, ND was named to the first team, CJ DeWitty, a 6'0 Junior from Austin, TX, and Aaron Patterson, 6'4" Junior from Freemont, CA, to the second team, and Joe Gathings, a 6'1" Senior from Chicago, IL was named to the third team. Witwer averaged 17 points, 6 rebounds per game, Patterson averaged 16 point per game, DeWitty averaged 15 points and 6 assists per game and led the DAC in steal per game (2), while Gathings averaged 14 points and 2.4 assists per game.
Women place three on All-Conference, Meyer named MVP
The Minot State University Women placed three players on the All-Conference team for this year. Kendra Meyer, a 5'7" Senior from Prior Lake, MN, was voted to the First Team, Brittni Walker, a 6'0" Junior from McLaughlin, SD, to the Second Team and Lashay Bagsby, a 6'1" Junior from Bakersfield, CA to the Third Team. Kendra Meyer was voted the DAC's Most Valuable Player. Meyer averaged 19 points (second best average in the DAC), 4.11 assists per game, Walker averaged 13.4ppg, 8 rebounds (second best averaged in the DAC), and Bagsby averaed 12.3ppg, 6 rebounds.
Beaver men earn trip to nationals
Minot State’s C.J. DeWitty sunk a buzzer beater on Sunday to defeat Jamestown College and send the Beavers onto the national tournament. The 87-85 upset over No. 17-ranked JC clinched the Dakota Athletic Conference title, earning the Beavers an automatic berth to the NAIA Division II tournament in Point Lookout, Mo., March 12-18. MSU beat the Jimmies at home in the Jamestown Civic Center.
With 11.7 seconds remaining, DeWitty went the length of the court, made a ball fake at the free-throw line, and nailed a leaning nine-footer as time expired to lift the Beavers to the two-point win.
"We put the game in his hands the last four minutes, and he carried us. He made some big plays," said MSU head coach Mike Hultz.
DeWitty was the key player of the game, earning 23 points, six assists, four steals, and four rebounds in 35 minutes. But the Beavers had solid balance as everyone who scored finished with at least six points and five players hit for double figures. Along with DeWitty, Aaron Patterson scored 16 points, Matt Witwer 14, Andy Leraas 12 and 11 rebounds, and Joe Gathings 10.
The Beavers ended a three-game skid to the Jimmies and won its second DAC postseason championship in four years.
"I am still taking it all in, but the first one was big for us because it validated some of what we had building," said Hultz. "I hope this one does the same."
--excerpted in part from the Minot Daily News
--photo: Minot Daily News
MSU Named Champions of Character Institution
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Minot State University, through its athletic department, has been named a "Champions of Character Institution" for the 2006-07 school year. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) office announced the designation recently in a press release. This is the sixth consecutive year that MSU has been recognized as a Champions of Character Institution.
Introduced in 2000 by the NAIA, the nationally recognized Champions of Character program seeks to create environments in which student-athletes, youth, parents, coaches, officials and spectators are committed and understand the true spirit of competition through the five character values of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.
"We’re excited, once again, to be chosen as a Champions of Character institution," stated MSU Athletic Director Rick Hedberg. "This is an annual goal of our department and I really need to commend our coaches and student-athletes on their commitment to this program."
During the past year, MSU student-athletes have been involved in such projects as an elementary reading program, character development presentations in local schools, a food drive for a local food pantry, a giving tree Christmas project through the Domestic Violence Center, involvement and support of the North Dakota Special Olympics, and volunteering with the Red Cross.
"Our involvement on campus and in the community is important for our department," said Hedberg. "The community supports us a great deal and we want to be able to give something back."
MSU Legend Herb Parker Dies at Age 86
By Andrea Johnson, Staff Writer - Minot Daily News
Herb Parker, a former coach and dean of men at Minot State University, died Sunday. He was 86. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Vincent United Methodist Church in Minot.
"In his career, he touched and influenced an untold number of students while helping them pursue their academic careers," said MSU President David Fuller in a press release. "After retirement, Herb stayed very connected with the campus through attendance at athletic events, Beaver Boosters meetings and luncheons, and as a member of the Board of Regents."
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MSU Announces Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees [9/19/07] Minot State University Athletic Department announces the 2007 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees. Inductees include Sheldon Warawa, Bob Holmen, Bill Koering, Steve Auch, and Kathy Clott. Four former athletes and Kathy Clott, a special achievement award winner, will be inducted at half-time of the MSU Football game versus Black Hills State University on September 22, 2007 at 1:30pm. A Hall of Fame Banquet will be held that evening at the Holiday Inn with the social starting at 6:00pm and the Banquet starting at 7:00pm. The banquet is open to the public. Tickets for the social and banquet are $14.00 and can be purchased through the MSU athletic department at 858-3041.
Sheldon Warawa played football for the Beavers from 1991-1994. He was a three-time all-conference and one time All-District 12 football player while playing on the offensive line for the Beavers. During his four years, Warawa helped the Beavers to four NDCAC championships and qualified for the NAIA Playoffs in each of those four years. In 1992, the Beavers made it to the Final Four of the NAIA playoffs. Sheldon was also an Honorable Mention All American Offensive Lineman in 1993, and a 1st Team All-American in 1994. Minot State football teams were 17-3 in the NDCAC during his tenure with an overall record of 29-14. Warawa currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta with his wife Jolene (Short) and his two children.
Bob Holmen was a four year letterwinner at Minot State in football and track from 1979-1983. In 1982, he was an All-Conference, All-District, and Honorable Mention All American selection as an offensive tackle. Holmen was a starter in 32 consecutive games for the Beavers over his four years as an offensive tackle. Bob was also a letterwinner in track at Minot State in the shot put and discus. He currently resides in Minot with his wife Karen and his two daughters and is a mathematics instructor and track and field coach at Minot High School.
Bill Koering attended Minot State from 1970-73 and was three year letterwinner in baseball, two year letterwinner in football, and one year lettermen for track. As a cornerback, kicker, and punter for the Beavers, Koering led the Beavers in both offensive and defensive scoring numerous times during each season. In 1971 and 1972, Bill was an Honorable Mention All Conference player in the NDCAC. He was twice named NDCAC player of the week and was named District 12 player of the week twice as well in 1972. He led the District 12 his senior season with at 38.2 yard punting average. He also led his team in offensive scoring his senior year and was ranked fifth in defensive scoring. In 1972 and 1973, was a 3rd basemen and pitcher for the Beaver baseball team and led the team with a .449 batting average. Koering was a NDCAC All Conference selection as well as a NAIA District 12 choice both seasons. At the conclusion of the 1973 season, he was named the Most Valuable Baseball Player in the NDCAC. Bill also participated in the NDCAC Conference track meet in 1973. As a result of his efforts, he earned a letter and helped the team to an NDCAC championship. In addition to his individual accomplishments, Koering also helped MSU to two Conference championships in football, one in baseball, and one in track. Koering had professional baseball tryouts with the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also had a professional football tryout with the Dallas Cowboys in 1974. He played semi-pro football with the Racine Red Raiders in the CSFL in 1974. In 1998, Bill was inducted into the North Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame located in Jamestown. He currently resides in Upland, CA.
Steve Auch was an accomplished athlete and three year letterwinner for the Beaver football team from 1964 to 1967. He also participated in gymnastics and served as an assistant football coach after his football career ended. During his time on the field, Auch was a two-time NDCAC All Conference running back and was an Honorable Mention All American selection in 1965. He was also named to the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity All American Football Team in 1965. In his senior season, Steve rushed for 107.8 yards per game which was the 12th best in the NAIA that year. He also was second in scoring and first in rushing (7.77 yards per carry) in the NDCAC during his senior campaign. He was also on the District 12 honor roll in 1965. Steve was also an accomplished gymnast, being named honorable mention all-conference in the rings and parallel bars. He also participated in wrestling in 1965 and was ranked 12th in the nation in individual wrestling. Steve is currently a resident of Eureka, NV with his wife Sharon. The have two sons, Joshua and Jeremy who also played football at MSU in 1998-2002.
Special Achievement Award Kathy Clott attended Minot State from 1971 to 1975. She participated in softball at Minot State from 1972-1974. Kathy began working in the MSU Athletic and Physical Education departments on June 1, 1975, following her graduation. Kathy retired on May 31st, 2007 with exactly 32 years of dedicated service to Minot State. For 15 years she served as the administrative assistant for both the Physical Education and Athletic departments. When Physical Education moved to Old Main in the early 1990’s, Kathy worked exclusively with athletics in the Dome. Her duties were numerous as she served as a receptionist for the department, tracking sport budgets, managing ticket sellers and takers, scheduling events in the Dome and Swain Hall, and maintaining athletic camp records. Kathy is the only athletic assistant the dome has ever known. She also served as a mentor/mother for hundreds of student-athletes during her time at Minot State. Kathy currently resides in Minot.
MSU Announces Head Baseball Coach
[5/31/07] Minot State University Athletic Director Rick Hedberg has announced the new Head Baseball Coach, Brock Weppler. Weppler has been an assistant coach for the MSU baseball team for the past two years working as the hitting coach and working with catchers.
"Brock will provide great leadership to our baseball program. He has the respect of the student-athletes and fellow coaches and has been very involved with the program for the last two years. He is definitely a ‘baseball guy' and I look forward to working closely with him," stated Hedberg.
Weppler, a native of Burlington, ND, is a graduate of the University of Mary where he played baseball for two years. He also attended MSU-Bottineau and played two years for the Lumber Jacks.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to step into the head coaching position. It's been a goal of mine and I look forward to the challenge. Minot State University is a great school and we have a lot of potential in our baseball program," stated Weppler.
Coach Weppler has spent the last seven summers directing the Burlington baseball program. He replaces Randy Nelson who recently accepted the director of athletics position at Fargo Shanley High School.
Football: Things coming together for MSU
Michael Linnell, Sports Editor Minot Daily News
Minot State University head coach Paul Rudolph, right, congratulates defensive back Travis Harmon after Harmon intercepted a pass during a controlled scrimmage Thursday at Herb Parker Stadium. On the final day of spring football practice, Minot State University started to put things together.
The Beavers finished the spring drills with a controlled scrimmage Thursday, working offense against defense for nearly an hour and a half as both units put together solid outings.
"I think for about two-thirds of the practice, we looked pretty good. We looked like a football team," MSU head coach Paul Rudolph said. "Sure, there are some things that we will need to work on, but I thought it went pretty well."
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