Founded in 1986, the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC - men's conference) Hall of Fame was established to recognize and honor those who have made significant contributions to the conference, to create favorable publicity and public relations for the league, and to help preserve the history of the NIC, its member institutions, student-athletes, employees, and other significant individuals affiliated with the league.

With inductions from the NIC in 1986 and 1990, and the NSIC in 2000 and 2001, the current Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Hall of Fame now boasts 83 members. The first two inductions (1986 and 1990) each selection hailed from the former men's Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC). The 1992-1993 merger creating the current NSIC combined the women's Northern Sun Conference (NSC) and the men's NIC. The 23-member Class of 2000 was the first to include women who were standouts in the former NSC. The 2000 inductees entered the Hall at the inaugural NSIC Summer Kickoff Event in Becker, Minnesota. This year's distinguished class (2001) will bring the total to 83 members. Each year the NSIC Hall of Fame will continue to grow at the annual induction ceremony of the NSIC Summer Kickoff Event.

For the second consecutive year, each of the seven "original" NSIC schools (BSU, MSUM, NSU, SSU, UMD, UMM, & WSU) were asked to submit three candidates, with at least one being a woman, for induction into the NSIC Hall of Fame. Also, as in 2000, two individuals affiliated with former NSC/NIC schools and the conference office will also be inducted into the Hall. Selectees were derived from individuals who have been affiliated with the NSIC, NSC, NIC, and their member institutions.

In order to be eligible for the Hall of Fame, candidates must have made their contributions in the following areas: 1) former student-athletes, 2) administrator/coach, 3) official/supervisor, 4) contributor/supporter, and 5) team. Other worthy candidates that do not fall into the above categories may also be considered. Two plaques will be provided by the conference, one of which will go to the inductee and one to the institution represented. A history of each inductee shall be kept in the league office. Each institution will prominently display the plaques of their respective Hall of Fame inductees.

 

 

2001 NSIC Hall of Fame membership:

Bart Berndt (Northern State University)

Georgene Brock (Minnesota State University-Mankato)

R. A. Colvin (Southwest State University)

Mary Ann Donnay (Minnesota State University Moorhead)

Pat Fors (Northern State University)

Bill Garland (Minnesota State University Moorhead)

Jay Guidinger (University of Minnesota, Duluth)

Sherry Hill (Bemidji State University)

Harry Jasinski (Northern State University)

Dina Kangas (Univeristy of Minnesota, Duluth)

Willis Kelly (University of Minnesota, Morris)

Duane Koslowski (University of Minnesota, Morris)

Jeri Madden (Southwest State University)

Arthur Maughan (Minnesota State University Moorhead)

Bob Montebello (Bemidji State University)

Tracy (Nelson) Bungert (Winona State University)

Dale Race (University of Minnesota, Duluth)

Patricia Rosenbrock (Bemidji State University)

Tony Schiller (Winona State University)

Cindy Schutt (Southwest State University)

Randy Schwegel (University of Minnesota, Morris)

Roscoe Young (Winona State University)

Florian Yurek (NSIC Basketball & Football Official)

 

 

Inductee Bios:

 

SHERRY HILL - Bemidji State University - Women's Basketball, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field, and Volleyball - 1979-1983

Hill was a very successful three-sport athlete while attending Bemidji State University from 1979 to 1983. She earned a letter in track and field all four years and achieved All-NSC honors in 1982-1983. During her career, Hill qualified for the NAIA and NCAA Division II nationals in the Javelin and Heptathlon. In volleyball, she also lettered for four years and was selected All-NSC three times, All-District 13 NAIA in 1982, and All-MAIAW state tourney in 1981. In 1982-1983, Hill's senior season, she was named BSU team captain and earned team MVP honors. She ranks in the top five on the BSU chart in single-season kills (519), single-season hitting percentage (.346), career kills (1,264) and career hitting percentage (.312). Hill was Bemidji State's all time career kills leader until 1999, when Peggy Hammel-Moran broke her long-standing mark.

Also, she is in the top ten in BSU basketball career scoring (1,250), season scoring (499), single-game scoring (35), career rebounding (797) and season rebounding (338). Recently, she was honored as a member of the Beaver Pride Committee for her outstanding work and is currently the vice president of the Beaver Pride organization. Hill currently works for the Minnesota Department of Corrections and lives in Bemidji.

 

BOB MONTEBELLO - Bemidji State University - Head Baseball Coach, Cross Country and Gymnastics Coach - 1959-1987

Montebello guided the Bemidji State University baseball team to the most wins in school history (290) during his 29 years as head coach from 1959 to 1987. His teams produced numerous all-conference and all-district performers. In 1982, he was named NAIA District and Regional Coach of the Year after winning the NIC championship. In 1987 Montebello was awarded with Professor Emeritus status at BSU, and in 1988 as a 29-year member of the Bemidji State staff, he was inducted into the BSU Athletic Hall of Fame. He also coached the Bemidji State cross country and gymnastics teams.

 

PATRICIA ROSENBROCK - Bemidji State University - Director of Women's Athletics, Head Gymnastics, Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field, and Volleyball Coach 1969-1989

From 1969 to 1975 Rosenbrock was Bemidji State University's gymnastics coach and from 1970 until 1983 she guided the Beavers women's track and field team. Rosenbrock coached the BSU volleyball program for 12 seasons over three tenures, from 1975-1976, 1978-1982 and 1985-1989. She also served a five-year stint as Bemidji State's Director of Women's Athletics from 1981 through 1986. During her 12 seasons as the volleyball coach she amassed the most wins in Beaver history with 293 and had five 30-win seasons. She was a two-time NAIA District Coach of the Year (1987 and 1988) and was voted by her peers as NSIC Volleyball Coach of the Year once. In 1999, she received the prestigious Bemidji State University Women's Athletic Award of Merit.

Rosenbrock was very active with her support for women's athletics through the leadership positions that she held at the conference, state and national levels (AIAW). She is currently a 32-year member of the BSU faculty. Rosenbrock is the Director of the Women¹s Center and a member of the Department of Physical Education, Health and Sports Department.

 

MARY ANN DONNAY - Minnesota State University Moorhead - Women's Basketball, Field Hockey, Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field - 1974-1978

Donnay played a sizable role in the development of women's athletics at Minnesota State University Moorhead. A native of Glencoe, Minn. and a 1978 graduate of MSUM, she won 11 athletic letters during her tenure with the Dragons. She achieved athletic letters in basketball (4), field hockey (4), and track and field (3). She was named to the All-Minn-Kota Conference field hockey team as a sophomore and junior. Donnay ranks third on the Dragon career basketball chart for field goal attempts (1,112) and rebounds (778), and still holds the MSUM single game mark for field goal attempts (36). As team captain during her senior campaign, she led the Dragons to an AIAW Region 6 tournament appearance posting a 23-8 record. She set the school shot put record of 41'-6 ¾" while winning three Minn-Kota indoor shot put crowns and two outdoor titles. As a frosh in 1974-1975, she was the Minnesota AIAW shot put champion and qualified for the National AIAW Championships. Donnay was saluted as MSUM's Outstanding Senior-Athlete in 1977-1978 receiving the Flora Frick Award and was inducted into the Dragon Hall of Fame in 1989.

She has spent the last 22 years as a active physical education teacher and coach in the Fargo, N.D. public schools, earning the following awards: 1982 Associated Press Female High School Coach of the Year, 1992 North Dakota Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year in 1992, and the 1999 North Dakota Pathfinder Award for promotion of girls and women in sports.

 

BILL GARLAND - Minnesota State University Moorhead - Head Wrestling Coach - 1959-1986

Garland is a product of Bloomington, Ind. and the Indiana University wrestling program. At IU, he was a three-time letterman and placed fourth in the Big Ten Tournament qualifying for nationals his senior season. He served with distinction as the head wrestling coach at Minnesota State University Moorhead for 28 seasons (1959-1986) and is credited for creating the Golden Age of Wrestling at MSUM. Garland guided the Dragons to the 1964 NAIA National Championship and to seven other top 10 national finishes. For his leadership he was named NAIA National Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1964. During his tenure at MSUM he produced 54 All-Americans and 11 national champions.

In 1964, ABC's Wide World of Sports televised Arthur "Bucky" Maughan's NCAA Division I national championship victory at 115 pounds. MSUM also gained national recognition the previous year when Bob Billberg finished as the Division I runner-up in the heavyweight class. In 1984, he was inducted into the NAIA Wrestling Hall of Fame, which makes him one of five Dragons to be so honored. Garland is retired and currently resides in Fargo, N.D.

 

ARTHUR "BUCKY" MAUGHAN - Minnesota State University Moorhead - Wrestling - 1959-1963

"Bucky" Maughan was a legendary figure on the collegiate wrestling landscape for nearly four decades. A native of Canonsburg, Penn., he became the Dragons' first ever NCAA Division I national champion by claiming the 115-pound wrestling title in 1963. Bucky's performance, along with his teammates, helped Minnesota State Moorhead to a ninth place team finish. Maughan captured NAIA national titles at the 123-pound weight class in 1962 and 1963. Maughan holds the distinctions of being a member of the NCAA Division II, NAIA and MSUM Halls of Fame. In 37 seasons, he has charted a remarkable coaching career at North Dakota State University, guiding the Bison to NCAA Division II national titles in 1988, 1998, 2000 and 2001. While at NDSU his teams have finished in the top 10 in the nation 29 times, produced 27 NCAA Division II individual national champions, and amassing 369 career dual meet victories.

 

BART BERNDT - Northern State University - Head Baseball Coach, Assistant Basketball, Football, and Track & Field Coach - 1973-1995

Berndt founded the Northern State baseball program in 1967 and went on to coach the Wolves for 26 years. When he finished his coaching career at the conclusion of the 1992 season, Berndt had compiled a career record of 473-486. After completing a four-year stint in the Navy and earning a bachelor's degree from Jamestown College in 1959, Berndt coached at the high school level in Cando and Ellendale, N.D. He received his master's degree from NSU in 1964 and accepted a position as coach and instructor at the university. He took a two-year sabbatical from 1971-72 to 1972-73 to earn his doctoral degree at the University of Northern Colorado. While at NSU, Berndt assisted with the basketball, football, and track and field programs. A five-time NAIA District Baseball Coach of the Year, Berndt also served as a NAIA national baseball rater and as chair of the district baseball coaches.

A professor of health, physical education and recreation, he also headed the NSU intramural program until fall of 1995. Berndt was enshrined into the Northern State Hall of Fame in 1995. Over the years, he has served as a certified instructor of the National Youth Sports Association and has conducted several certification clinics. Berndt has also been actively involved in the Kiwanis and Elks clubs, American Legion Athletic Committee and at one time was chair of the Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board. Bart and his wife Jean currently reside in Tucson, Ariz., and are the proud parents of Jack, Betty Hagen, and Patricia Hunn.

 

PAT FORS - Northern State University - Head Women's Golf Coach/Senior Woman Administrator - 1975-1996

The history of women's golf at Northern State University begins with Pat Fors. The professor emeritus of health and physical education at NSU guided the first Wolves' women's golf team in 1975 to a perfect 6-0 meet record which included a six-time medallist, Lorrie Allison (one tie with teammate Nancy Clary). Fors coached the team the next 21 years before retiring in 1996. But her dedication to athletics and physical education doesn't end with being a coach and teacher. Fors, who received her master's degree from Northern State and was hired by the NSU Health and Physical Education Department in 1957, didn't have the opportunity to participate in collegiate sports as women do today. At the time, women interested in sports could join the Women's Recreation Association. Fors made the most of that organization, participating in volleyball, basketball, softball and tennis. As a teacher fresh out of college with her bachelor's degree in 1953, she formed a modern dance group with high school students. Since then, she has presented numerous instructional aerobic or social dance programs for use in physical education classes.

Beyond coaching, Fors has promoted not only golf but also the importance of physical education since the 1950's through presenting programs, clinics, and researching and writing articles for journals and newspapers. She helped organize NSU's first Women's Golf Classic in 1990; a fundraiser for women's athletic scholarships. In 1992, she was appointed Northern State's first NCAA Senior Women's Athletic Administrator. Fors was honored with the South Dakota Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (SDAHPERD) Honor Award in 1994 and the Central District AHPERD Honor Award in 1995. She has also received an American Red Cross appreciation award and remains active in the Aberdeen community where she currently resides.

 

HARRY JASINSKI - Northern State University - Public Address Announcer - 1966-Present

Jasinski's deep-throated play-by-play calls have become a part of the aura that is Wolves' Gameday at football and basketball events. But his contributions to Northern State University's athletic department, the school's ascension into the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and NCAA Division II go way beyond his press box growl. Jasinski has made vital contributions to NSU for over 25 years. He helped recruit for several NSU coaches throughout the years, including Clark Swisher, Al Sahli, Fran Hummel, Dennis Miller, Bob Olson and Curt Fredrickson. Jasinski also helped pioneer the Wolves Club, which raises money for athletic scholarships. He has also served on many hiring committees assisting in the selection of NSU athletic directors and coaches. Jasinski first came to Northern in 1958 as an assistant professor in business. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1952. He spent his summers working on his doctorate at the University of Northern Colorado. After finishing in 1964, Jasinski spent two years at the University of North Dakota as a faculty member in the graduate school. In 1966, then-NSU president J. Howard Kramer asked Jasinski to return to Northern and start a school of business. He was appointed chairman of the Division of Business. When the department underwent the change to become a school of business in the mid 1970's, Jasinski was named Dean of the School of Business.

He retired in 1992. Jasinski has a long list of educational awards, including the Distinguished Teacher Award from the South Dakota Vocational Education Association and the Outstanding Administrator Award from the National Business Education Association. He's also received Distinguished Alumni Awards from UW-Whitewater and Northern State, as well as the Distinguished Service Award from Mountain-Plains Business Education Association. Aside from his career in furthering education and athletics, Jasinski has also been a large figure in the Aberdeen community. He has served on the Aberdeen Chamber, the Aberdeen Development Corporation Board, the Airport Board, the Aberdeen Roncalli High School Board, and was chairman of the Roncalli Foundation Board and the Aberdeen Career Planning Center Board.

The 74-year-old Emeritus Dean and Professor of Business still calls the public address of NSU's football and half of the men's basketball games. He has also spent time announcing track events over the years. For over 20 years, fans have identified with NSU sports by impersonating the Jasinski bark. And if imitation is the greatest form of flattery, his cheeks should turn a rosy red every time a growling wannabe gives a rendition of a play he once called.

 

R. A. COLVIN - Southwest State University - Athletic Trainer/Head Women's Track & Field Coach - 1970-1994

Colvin, Southwest State's athletic trainer and a member of the health and physical education faculty beginning in 1970, worked closely with each of the school's teams for 24 years. A native of Oklahoma City, Okla., he earned his bachelor's degree at Central State College (now the University of Central Oklahoma) and his master's degree at Kearney State College (now the University of Nebraska-Kearney). During his tenure at SSU he also volunteered with area high school coaches and athletes as an athletic trainer. In addition to his volunteer time for Marshall area high schools, Colvin worked extensively with wheelchair athletics at the local, national and international levels. He represented the United States as the trainer to the Stoke-Mandville wheelchair track and field competition in England and served as an official at a Women's Wheelchair National Basketball Tournament. He also served as SSU's women's track coach in 1981. His hobbies included bow hunting, fishing, photography and antiques. His family is accepting his posthumous induction.

 

JERI MADDEN - Southwest State University - Women's Intercollegiate Athletics Coordinator - 1971-1985

A member of the Southwest State Hall of Fame class of 2000, Madden served as SSU's Women's Intercollegiate Athletics Coordinator and Chair of Women's Physical Education from 1971 to 1974. She was one of eight women on the charter board of the Northern Sun Conference, and from 1974 to 1985, she served as the Women's Athletic Director at SSU. From 1983 until 1985, Madden was the NAIA District 13 Chairperson for both men's and women's athletics. Madden also pioneered the Mustang's volleyball program, serving as head coach from 1971-1985, compiling a career record of 254-204-9. Under her tutelage, SSU won the NAIA District 13 Championship in 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985, while qualifying for the NAIA Bi-Districts the same years. Madden was selected as the NSC and NAIA District 13 Volleyball Coach of the Year in 1984. In 1985, she lead SSU to the school's only conference championship in volleyball. While a member of the SSU Health and Physical Education Department during her entire 15 years, she also coached softball, tennis, and track and field teams various academic seasons. Currently, she is semi-retired and lives in Independence, Mo.

 

CINDY (OLSON) SCHUTT - Southwest State University - Women's Basketball - 1976-1980

Schutt, a guard and the brightest star on Southwest State University's powerhouse women's basketball teams of the late 1970's, was inducted into the SSU Hall of Fame in 1992. A native of Huntley, Minn. and a graduate of Granada-Huntley High School, Schutt scored 1,464 points in only 74 collegiate games from 1976 to 1980. This currently stands as the third highest total among SSU women. She also became the first Mustang to top 1,000 career points, while her average of 19.8 points per game is the highest among SSU's 20 leading career scorers. Schutt holds single-season school records with 536 points, 212 field goals, 486 field-goal attempts, 112 free throws made and 168 free throw attempted, all accomplished in 1977-1978. She holds career standards of 313 free throws made and 483 attempted and has the single game mark of 30 field goals attempts, set February 14, 1978 against the University of Minnesota-Morris. Schutt was named to the Minnesota Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women all-tournament teams in both 1978 and 1979. Unfortunately, a knee injury ended her senior season after only seven games. The Minnesota Fillies selected Schutt in the 10th round of the 1980 Women's Professional Basketball League draft where she remained with the team until the league dissolved later that year.

A 1980 SSU graduate, Schutt received her master's degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Indianapolis in 1985. Currently, Cindy lives with her husband in Oxford, Mich. where she is the Director of Rehabilitation at Physician's Physical Therapy Services in Southfield Mich. She is still very active participating in golf, biking and weight lifting and enjoys showing Quarter Horses on a national level.

 

JAY GUIDINGER - University of Minnesota, Duluth - Men's Basketball - 1987-1991

Guidinger was a three-time NAIA All-American center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth during his collegiate basketball playing days that spanned from 1987-1991. He was selected as a first team All-American his junior and senior seasons (1989-1990 and 1990-1991) and was named to the third team in 1988-1989 as a sophomore. Guidinger was the first-ever individual to be named NSIC Player of the Year three years in a row (1989-1991). He started in all 126 games during his four-year career with the Bulldogs and still holds UMD records for points (1,953), rebounds (1,095) and blocked shots (195). He helped lead the Bulldogs to four consecutive NSIC titles, four NAIA National Tournament appearances and a 103-23 overall record (45-3 in the NSIC) during his tenure. Guidinger ranked first on both the UMD scoring and rebounding charts his final three collegiate seasons. His junior season (1989-1990) he captured the NSIC scoring and rebounding titles averaging 22.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, while his senior campaign he garnered the NSIC rebounding crown averaging 8.7 per contests. Guidinger was named Minnesota-Duluth's Outstanding Senior Male Athlete in 1990-1991.

After his UMD collegiate career, he went on to play two seasons for the Cleveland Cavaliers (1992-1993 and 1993-1994) in the National Basketball Association, which makes him the first UMD basketball player to accomplish this feat. Guidinger received his bachelor's degree from UMD in 1992 and his Masters of Education from Cleveland State University in 1996 while serving as CSU's assistant men's basketball coach. Jay is married, has two children and is a member of UMD's National Athletic Advisory Committee. As for his professional duties, he is a manufacturer representative for the leading manufacturer of outdoor bleachers, grandstands and stadium seating serving all levels of the education and leisure industry.

 

DINA KANGAS - University of Minnesota, Duluth - Women's Basketball/Softball - 1987-1991

Kangas finished her University of Minnesota-Duluth career as the NCAA Division II women's basketball all-time scoring leader with 2,810 points. She has scored more lifetime points than any other player (male or female) in Minnesota collegiate basketball history. Kangas earned NAIA All-American honors three times, first team as a junior and senior in 1989-1990 and 1990-1991 and third team as a sophomore in the 1988-1989 season. She finished her illustrious career with the Bulldog basketball program as the owner of 23 single-game, single-season, and career records, including points (44) and rebounds (27) in one game and in one season (938 points and 424 rebounds). Kangas achieved NSIC scoring championships in her final three seasons averaging 23.9, 29.8, and 30.3 points per game. She also led the league in rebounding as a junior and senior averaging 13.8 and 14.7 per contest, respectively. While a member of four NAIA national tournament teams and three NSIC championship clubs (1988-1989, 1989-1990, and 1990-1991), Kangas reached double figure scoring in 94 consecutive games. She was selected as UMD's Outstanding Senior Female Athlete award in 1990-1991.

After her playing days, Kangas furthered her professional career as a coach, serving as assistant girls basketball coach at Duluth East High School from 1991-1993. She then joined the collegiate coaching ranks at her Alma Matter as an assistant women's basketball coach during the 1994-1995 season. Since then, Kangas has had coaching stints with the College of St. Scholastica (1995-1997), North Dakota State University (1997-1999), and Bemidji State University (1999-2000). She is currently the head softball and assistant women's basketball coach at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

 

DALE RACE - University of Minnesota, Duluth - Head Men's Basketball Coach - 1984-1998

Race, the winningest coach in the 71-year history of the University of Minnesota-Duluth men's basketball program, achieved an overall record of 293-120 (.709 winning percentage) in 14 seasons. He led the Bulldogs to nine 20-plus win seasons, nine different teams to a top 25 national ranking, eight NSIC championships (1986-1992, 1997), eight appearances in the NAIA National Tournament (1985-1992) and one NCAA Division II playoff berth (1997). Race's Minnesota-Duluth program brought prestige and national visibility to the NSIC. In 14 years he was district or regional coach of the year eight times and earned eight NSIC coach of the year awards. In 18 total years of collegiate coaching (including four seasons at the now-defunct Milton College (Wis.) from 1975-1979), Race was 363-170 (.681 winning percentage) with only two losing seasons.

A native of Marinette, Wis., and a 1970 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, he also served as an assistant coach at both Milton College (1971-1975) and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (1980-1984). In 1989, he was an assistant coach on the Gold Medal Team at the U.S. Olympic Festival under coaching legend Jud Heathcote of Michigan State. Dale is also a member of the UW-Oshkosh Hall of Fame and currently serves as the coordinator of the Bulldog Club, a UMD all-sports support and fundraising group that oversees the athletic department's various marketing activities.

 

WILLIS R. KELLY - University of Minnesota, Morris - Director of Women's Intercollegiate Athletics - 1970-1987

Kelly was extremely instrumental in the development of the Northern Sun Conference, the former women's conference, before the NSC and NIC merged to form the NSIC in 1992-1993. The Kelly Scholar-Athlete Award for Academic Excellence is named in honor of Willis R. Kelly and is awarded annually to the outstanding female student-athlete in the NSIC. In 2000-2001 the NSIC selected the Kelly award winner for the 16th consecutive academic year.

Kelly was an associate professor of physical education at the University of Minnesota-Morris and coordinated the UMM Physical Education Department from 1970-1987. She became the first director of women's intercollegiate athletics at Minnesota-Morris in 1976 and was later promoted to athletic director for men's and women's athletics. Kelly's family will be accepting her posthumous induction.

 

DUANE KOSLOWSKI - University of Minnesota, Morris - Football/Wrestling - 1977-1982

Koslowski was a two-sport athlete at the University of Minnesota-Morris participating in both football and wrestling. The native of Doland, S.D. was an all-conference performer in football for UMM in 1979 and 1980. In 1980, he earned All-District and All-American Honorable Mention honors in football as well. He also lived up to his billing in the sport of wrestling, winning the 1981 Division III National Championship his senior season. After his collegiate career, Koslowski gained national attention becoming a three-time United States Greco-Roman Wrestling Champion (1986, 1987 and 1988). His post-collegiate accolades did not end there, where he earned a fourth place finish in the Greco-Roman World Championships in 1986 and was a gold medallist in the Pan-American Games in 1987. Koslowski added to his legacy on the world's largest wrestling stage earning a very respectable seventh for the United States Wrestling Team in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea.

The name Koslowski in synonymous with Minnesota-Morris and NSIC wrestling as his twin brother Dennis, achieved national and world recognition becoming a two-time Olympic medallist capturing bronze and silver medals at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. Dennis was inducted into the NSIC Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2000. Duane is married with four children, works at ING insurance and banking company, and resides in Blaine, Minn.

 

RANDY SCHWEGEL - University of Minnesota, Morris - Men's Basketball - 1974-1978

Schwegel was a three-time All-NIC and All-NAIA District 13 selection in men's basketball at the University of Minnesota-Morris (1975-1976, 1976-1977, and 1977-1978). As a senior in 1977-1978, Schwegel earned Honorable Mention All-American honors. In his junior season of 1976-1977, he was selected as the conference's Most Valuable Player after leading Minnesota-Morris to a 12-2 conference record and the league title. Bob Foss later joined Schwegel as the only other Cougar to have won the league's MVP award (1978-1979) thus far. Schwegel's senior season UMM duplicated the feat from the previous year winning the conference championship with a 12-2 league record. During both the 1976-1977 and 1977-1978 seasons the Cougars made NCAA Division III regional tournament appearances.

Inducted as a charter member into the University of Minnesota-Morris Hall of Fame and later inducted as a team member, Schwegel has achieved legendary status leaving a long-lasting mark in the lore of the Minnesota-Morris men's basketball program. Schwegel's post-Morris days have consisted of serving as the head girls basketball, head football and assistant boys basketball coach's at Pine River/Backus High School. In football, he has achieved conference coach of the year three times (1982, 1988, and 1992) at PRBHS. Randy and his wife, Sue, have been married for 21 years. Their offspring include sons Preston, Brandon and Justin, and daughter Chelsa.

 

TRACY (NELSON) BUNGERT - Winona State University - Cross Country/Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field - 1984-1987

Bungert's running accolades at Winona State University began early in her collegiate career as she placed eighth her freshman season (1984-1985), third her sophomore year (1985-1986) and in the top five her junior year (1986-1987) at the NSC Cross Country Championships. In track and field as a sophomore and junior, Bungert won the 10,000-meter run at the NSC championships. She also captured another event as a junior, winning the 3,000-meter championship in track and field. Bungert added to her student-athlete distinction in 1986-1987 when she was named an Academic All-American in track and field. At the 1986-1987 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships she finished fourth in the two mile run. However, Bungert's most prestigious accolades of her collegiate career came when she won the NAIA Marathon in both her sophomore and junior seasons at WSU, giving her three-time All-American status. Bungert placed seventh in the 10K run at NAIA nationals in 1986-1987 as well. She still holds the WSU records for the indoor 3,000 and 5,000-meter runs, as well as, the outdoor 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000-meter runs.

Bungert went on to receive her bachelor degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in Sociology with a Spanish minor in 1989. Her current professional career includes working as a Registered Nurse and an assistant coach for boys and girls cross country and track and field at Spring Lake Park/St. Anthony High School. Bungert also coaches the walk-run group for beginning runners that are aspiring to run a 5K race through the Minnesota Distance Running Association. She has been actively running in marathons the past three years finishing in the top 60 at Grandma's Marathon (Duluth, Minn.) and the Twin Cities Marathon. Currently, Tracy resides in Fridley, Minn. with her husband Jeff, and five-year old son Ben.

 

TONY SCHILLER - Winona State University - Cross Country/Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field - 1976-1980

Schiller is a prime example of perseverance. For example, his cross country career at Winona State University began with a 51st place finish his freshman year at the 1976-1977 NIC championship. However, Schiller beat the odds and after he had gradually moved up in the ranks his sophomore and junior years with 41st and 29th place finishes, he brought home the conference title his senior year. Schiller's track and field career was much the same when it came to gradual success. As a sophomore, he finished in third place for the Warriors at the 1977-1978 NIC Outdoor Championships in the steeplechase event. But in his junior season his track and field career came into fruition as he earned the 1978-1979 NIC Outdoor Track and Field Championship MVP after winning both the steeplechase and 5000-meter run finishing with a time of 14:43.9 which is still the oldest remaining NSIC record. He repeated as the NIC Steeplechase Champion his senior year and then finished his collegiate running career as a NCAA Division II All-American in the steeplechase.

After graduating from WSU in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in Park and Recreation with a minor in Business Administration, Schiller went on to compete in the 1984 Olympic Marathon Trials. A few of Schiller's post-graduate athletic achievements include 85-plus career running victories, 67 career triathlon victories, a four-time amateur triathlon world champion (1994, 1995, 1996, and 2000), four-time USA National Amateur Triathlon Champion (1995, 1996, 1999, 2000), 14-time Minnesota State Triathlon Champion (1987-2000), and was named the 1995 USA Amateur Triathlete of the Year. He has won an amazing 12 Triathlons since turning the age of 40 including the World Triathlon Championships, Master's Division in Perth, Australia. Schiller is a self-employed professional speaker with the company BreakAway Results and is the co-author of three books. His community involvement includes volunteering as a Big Brother and working with several non-profit organizations including the American Cancer Society. Tony is a member of the Winona State University Athletic Hall of Fame (1994) and currently resides in Chanhassen, Minn.

 

ROSCOE C. YOUNG - Winona State University - Men's Basketball - 1970-1974

Young, a two-time NAIA Honorable Mention All-American men's basketball player at Winona State University, played all four years for WSU (1970-1971 - 1973-1974) leading the Warriors to three consecutive NIC championships in 1971-1972, 1972-1973, and 1973-1974 and two NAIA national tournament appearances in 1971-1972 and 1972-1973. During his tenure at WSU the team amassed 40-7 conference and 86-20 overall records. Young was selected NAIA All-District 13 and first team All-NIC after his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. He also garnered Second Team All-NIC and NIC Freshman of the Year honors after his inaugural collegiate campaign. Young capped his illustrious Winona State career by leading the NIC in scoring averaging 24.3 points per game.

After graduating from WSU in 1974 he went on to receive a master's degree at Southern Illinois University. Young's professional career has been nothing short of brilliant as well. It has included a stint with the Reagan Administration where he served as a special assistant to Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger under the White House Executive Exchange Program. Currently, he is the President and Chief Operating Officer, as well as, a member of the Board of Directors of KMC Telecom Holdings, Inc.; a New Jersey based Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) founded in 1995. Young has also been involved in numerous charity and community organizations including, but not limited to, March of Dimes, Children's Miracle Network, Make a Wish Foundation, Boys & Girls Club, Red Cross and the United Way. Roscoe is also a member of the Winona State University Athletic Hall of Fame (1988).

 

GEORGENE BROCK - Minnesota State University-Mankato - Director of Women's Athletics/Coach for Various Sports - 1970-1998

Brock's name is synonymous with women's athletics in the state of Minnesota and, specifically, the Northern Sun Conference (NSC). She served as the chair of the NSC Development Committee (1976-1977) which was extremely instrumental in the development of the Northern Sun Conference including the conference rules, eligibility, operating codes, and constitution. Later she became the NSC President for the 1980-1981 academic year. Brock was the women's athletic director at Minnesota State University Mankato for 28 years (1970-1998). Along with her athletic administrative duties at Mankato State, Brock was an Assistant Professor of Physical Education beginning with her arrival in 1964 until her retirement in 1998. While at Mankato State she also coached various women's sports including bowling (1964-1970), volleyball (1967-1980), and tennis (1970-1983).

Prior to her professional career at Mankato State she served as a physical education instructor for girls, head girls gold and tennis coach in the Mesa and Tempe, Ariz. public schools (1959-1962). She then went on to become a graduate assistant in physical education at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque (1962-1964). Brock's collegiate education consists of earning a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University in Physical Education in 1959 and a master's degree at the University of New Mexico in Physical Education in 1962.

Brock's many awards from Mankato State include the following: election to the Athletics Hall of Distinction in 1986, Faculty Performance Award in 1990, Claire Faust Public Service Award in 1990 and the Student Senate Student Friendly Award in 1993. She was also inducted to the Athletics Hall of Fame at Tempe Union High School in 1989. Some of Brock's professional affiliations and responsibilities over the last 35-plus years included a five-year stint as President of the Minnesota Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (MAIAW), Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) Region 6 Commissioner of Championships (1980-1982), served various distinct committee and liaison roles for the North Central Conference, and participated on the NCAA Athletics Program Achievement and Division II Tennis Committees.

 

FLORIAN "LEFTY" YUREK - Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference - Basketball and Football Official - 1969-1995

"Lefty" Yurek was born in St. Paul, Minn. on March 29, 1931. As a young man, he attended college at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where he was a two-year student. Lefty then moved on to the United States Armed Forces and while serving in the Army he participated in basketball, football and softball. In 1953, he was a member of the Football Division Champion in Europe. For 10 years, he coached youth baseball. He then moved on to High School football officiating where he worked the gridiron for 40 years, which included six Minnesota State High School League Prep Bowls. While officiating in the prep ranks he worked college football and basketball games in the NIC for 26 and 19 years, respectively. He also served as the referee in the NCAA Division III National Football Playoffs six times.

In 1995, Lefty retired from the lumber industry after 42 years of professional service. He worked for Stanton Lumber Company for 22 years and Lampert Yard, Inc. for 20 years. His post retirement involvement in sports includes the following: served on Tartan Park Golf Course staff for several years, host for the Minnesota State High School League Football Prep Bowl and state hockey tournament, officiates adapted floor hockey and soccer, umpires H.S. Girls Fast Pitch Softball and Babe Ruth Baseball, and serves as a clinician for the state H.S. league in football and basketball. Lefty also assists the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Athletic Department working as the Gopher football timer and Gopher basketball scoreboard operator. Lefty is currently in his 28th year as assignment secretary for the St. Paul Officials Association in both football and basketball.