July 15, 2009

(Atlanta, GA) -- The Valley City State University women’s basketball team ranks fifth in 2009 after being ranked 11th in 2008 in the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association Top 25 Team Honor Roll for the NAIA. Their 3.610 GPA is .153 off of NAIA Academic number one Dana College, NE with a 3.763 GPA and is the only DAC women’s basketball team in the national academic ranking for 2009. 

This award, given in NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA and Junior College/Community College, awards teams throughout the nation that carry the highest grade point averages (GPA) for the entire season based on the nomination submitted by WBCA-member head coaches.

“Our program has always prided itself on how seriously we take the term student-athlete. It takes great effort and commitment to be your very best in all that you do and we believe winning in the classroom is as important as on the court,” says Head Coach Jill DeVries.

“It is always an honor for the WBCA to recognize these teams for putting together outstanding cumulative grade point averages,” WBCA CEO Beth Bass said. “We want to congratulate each and every one of these teams for their efforts in the classroom and want them to know that we celebrate their hard work. My thanks go out to these teams for setting a benchmark of success academically among their peers in the sport.”

“I’m very proud of the work the VCSU women’s basketball team has produced in the classroom and on the basketball court. Each of them should be proud of their individual work ethic and commitment to excellence,” commented DeVries. “It was a goal to better our 11th place finish in 2008, and hopefully it will carry over on the basketball court this winter again as well.”

June 27, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- South Dakota Mines and Jamestown College tied for the Dakota Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete Award.

The award is presented annually to the school with the highest percentage of student-athletes honored as DAC Scholar-Athletes. In order to earn DAC Scholar-Athlete honors, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or better out of 4.00 and have earned 12 or more credit hours for a semester in which he/she participates in a conference sponsored sport.

June 24, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Dakota Athletic Conference Board of Directors has turned down a recommendation from the conference athletic directors that would eliminate a school's athletic teams from eligibility for conference championships and post-season awards if they apply for membership in another conference and/or association. 

The board, which is made up of the presidents of the conference schools, voted down the recommendation at a meeting in Bismarck. The conference bylaws do not have a set policy to deal with the process of a DAC school applying for membership in another conference and/or association.

The proposal would have immediately affected Minot State University, who has applied for membership in NCAA Division II. With the presidents' vote, the Beavers will remain a full member of the DAC for the next two years or until the university sends a letter to withdraw from the conference if their application to the NCAA is accepted for consideration.

June 19, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Black Hills State and Dickinson State placed in the top fifteen in the final standings of the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup for the 2008-09 NAIA season. Azusa Pacific, CA captured the cup for the fifth consecutive year. Concordia, CA; Lindenwood, MO; Fresno Pacific, CA and California Baptist round out the top five.

The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in up to 12 sports – six women’s and six men’s. The award was presented at the 44th Annual NACDA Convention in Orlando, FL.

Black Hills State placed 11th in the final rankings. The Yellow Jackets scored points in men's and women's cross country and volleyball in the fall; men's and women's basketball and men's and women's indoor track and field during the winter and women's golf and men's and women's outdoor track and field in the spring.

Dickinson State finished in 13th place in the final standings. The Blue Hawks scored points in football in the fall; women's basketball, wrestling and men's and women's indoor track and field in the winter and softball and men's and women's outdoor track and field during the spring.

Other DAC institutions placing in the final standings are Jamestown College in 86th place; Dakota State in 158th and South Dakota Mines in 188th.

In total, 192 schools in the NAIA scored points in the cup standings during the 2008-09 season. For more information on the NAIA Directors' Cup, go to the NAIA website.

June 15, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) – The athletic directors of the eight schools of the Dakota Athletic Conference have made a recommendation to the conference Board of Directors to add a clause to the individual sport regulations outlining post-season play, and policies and procedures for determining conference championships and representatives to NAIA post-season competition.

The recommendation reads, “Any DAC member institution that applies for membership in an athletic association other than the NAIA and/or the Dakota Athletic Conference and has their application accepted for membership consideration by that association or conference, immediately forfeits its eligibility to compete for a DAC regular season championship, host or participate in any DAC playoffs conducted for the purpose of determining the DAC representative to NAIA post-season play, represent the DAC in post-season NAIA competition, and that institution’s teams, coaches and athletes shall not be considered for DAC post-season awards. Reinstatement of eligibility may be immediately attained by majority vote of the DAC Board of Directors when the application for membership other than with the NAIA and /or DAC is rescinded.”

The athletic directors voted 7-1 to send the recommendation to the DAC Board of Directors. The board, which is made up of the presidents of the eight conference schools, will vote on the recommendation on June 23.

The recommendation will immediately affect Minot State, who applied for admittance into NCAA Division II in late May. The NCAA will decide to accept or reject the university’s application on July 10, 2009. If their application is accepted, Minot State’s membership in the DAC would come to an end on July 1, 2010.

If the NCAA accepts their application for consideration, Minot State will play their DAC schedule during the 2009-2010 academic year, but will be ineligible for conference championships and post-season awards. The university could still advance to NAIA post-season play with an at-large invitation. The school would then begin their transition into NCAA Division II on July 1, 2010. If the NCAA rejects the application, MSU will continue to be a member of the DAC in full standing.

May 28, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Black Hills State's Jhett Albers has been voted the DAC Athletic Director of the Year by his peers in the conference.

Albers was named the Yellow Jackets' athletic director in January of 2006. He is responsible for making the day-to-day operation decisions, as well as providing the vision for the athletic department. Albers also teaches for the physical education department and is the head volleyball coach. Albers led the Yellow Jackets' volleyball team to a share of the DAC regular season title, the conference tournament crown and the school's first ever trip to the national tournament.

Albers played football at Black Hills State while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in education. He graduated with a master’s degree from Black Hills State in 1991.

During the just completed academic year, the Yellow Jackets shared the conference championship in volleyball and won outright conference titles in men's and women's cross country, men's basketball, women's indoor and outdoor track and field and women's golf. The Yellow Jackets finished second to Dickinson State for the DAC Commissioner's Cup. Black Hills State also took part in national competition in men's and women's cross country, volleyball, men's basketball, women's golf and men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field.

May 28, 2009

(Rapid City, SD) -- The Dakota Athletic Conference recognized South Dakota School of Mines Athletics Director Hugh Welsh for his many years of service at the helm of the Hardrockers’ sports programs by giving him the DAC Honor Award at a conference meeting recently in Spearfish.

Welsh will be retiring from his duties as athletics director at SD Mines and the award commemorated his time as a basketball coach and AD and his involvement in the DAC. Welsh served both positions from 1986 to 2005 and then just as the AD for SD Mines from 2006 to present.

“I feel greatly honored to receive this award from the conference,” Welsh said. “This has been a meaningful time in my life working with the league commissioner and the other conference AD’s. I will truly miss all those involved.”

Welsh served as head coach of the Hardrocker men's basketball program for 19 seasons (1986-2005). During his tenure as head coach, he compiled a 268-273 won-loss record, took the 1997 team to a NAIA National tournament and has two conference championship titles to his credit.

Welsh is the second longest-tenured coach in the men's basketball program (behind Bob Hunt, who coached the Hardrockers for 21 years). He has more wins than any men's coach in school history, and was named the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year on two occasions and also Athletic Director of the Year on two others. His career coaching record is 545 wins and 380 losses.

During his career at the School of Mines, the athletics program has grown with the reinstallation of the men's and women's golf programs in 2001. He has also presided over a dramatic overhaul in athletic facilities, with the 2006 installation of high-quality, state-of-the-art artificial turf at O'Harra Stadium's Dunham Field. Other improvements include the addition of a multi-media scoreboard; renovated King Center varsity locker rooms for the men's basketball, women's basketball and women's volleyball teams; and a 4,200-square-foot Dunham Field locker room for the football team. Welsh also oversaw the construction of a new gym floor in Goodell Gymnasium.

These improvements benefit not only the School of Mines, but the more than 50,000 fans from the Rapid City community and beyond who attend football and basketball games, track and field events, soccer and volleyball matches, and other events at the O'Harra Stadium and the King Center each year.

May 28, 2009

(Rapid City, SD) – South Dakota Mines has hired Richard A. Kaiser as their new Athletic Director, replacing Hugh Welsh, who is retiring.

Kaiser earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Northern Colorado, a master’s in educational administration from South Dakota State University, and a doctorate of education in athletic leadership and administration from Brigham Young University. He completed his post-doctorate in health education and administration at Oregon State University.

Kaiser spent the past ten years as athletic director for Defiance College. He also has served as AD at Olivet College, Western Oregon University and Willamette University.

May 23, 2009

(St. Louis, MO) -- For the second year in a row, the Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) men and the Wayland Baptist University (Texas) women have swept their ways to NAIA national championships in both indoor and outdoor track and field. The programs each locked up their second consecutive outdoor crowns with winning efforts at the 2009 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships, which concluded Sunday at Ralph Korte Stadium in Edwardsville, Ill.

In men’s competition, Azusa Pacific held the lead all three days, but had to hold off challengers on the final day to extend their NAIA record for outdoor national titles to 15. The Cougars finished the event with 80 points, which was nine points better than runner-up Dickinson State University (N.D.) with 71 points. Oklahoma Baptist University and Concordia University (Ore.) tied for third place as each scored 51.5 points.

Wayland Baptist took a 10-point lead into the final day of competition, but pulled away on Saturday thanks to pair of victories by Purity Biwott in the 800- and 1,500-meter run, a triumph by Kimberly Smith in the 200-meter dash, and a first-place finish in the 4 x 100-meter relay. The Pioneers ended the meet with 102 points, well ahead of second-place Oklahoma Baptist University, which posted 58 points. Lindenwood University (Mo.) was third with 52 points.

Ramon Miller from Dickinson State University was honored as recipient of the men’s Outstanding Performer Award. Miller earned a national title in the 400-meter dash with a time of 45.43 seconds. He also ran the lead-off leg in the 4 x 100-meter relay and anchored the Blue Hawks’ 4 x 400-meter relay team that each captured a national championship.

Justyna Mudy from Shorter College (Ga.) took home the women’s Outstanding Performer Award. Mudy set a new record in winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Mudy’s time of 10:12.31 was more than six seconds better than the previous mark.

The women’s Most Valuable Performer Award was presented to Natasha Miller from Biola University (Calif.). Miller scored 30 points in the meet, including victories in the women’s heptathlon as well as the high jump. Miller also took third place in the 100-meter hurdles and fifth in the triple jump.

Earning the Most Valuable Performer Award on the men’s side was Tyrell Cuffy from King College (Tenn.). Cuffy totaled 21.25 points for the Tornado as he defended his individual titles in the 100- and 200-meter dash. He also was on King’s eighth-place 4 x 100-meter relay squad.

Black Hills State University (S.D.) began the day by becoming the first school in 11 years to sweep the men’s and women’s marathon in the same year. Trent Waage took the men’s crown in a time of 2:28.27 for the Yellow Jackets. Wendy O’Lexey brought home the women’s marathon championship with a time of 3:01.49. Lindenwood was the last school to sweep the marathon in 1998. In fact, this is only the third time in NAIA history the feat has been accomplished.

Oklahoma Baptist won its fifth consecutive women’s 4 x 400-meter relay title. The Bison cruised to victory in 3:34.99. There was also a repeat winner in the men’s 4 x 400-meter relay as Dickinson State captured its second straight championship.

In all, there were 11 repeat national champions on the day. Heading the list was Azusa Pacific senior Aron Rono, who earned his second straight title in the men’s 1,500-meter run. It marked the seventh individual national crowns for Rono, making him one of just four people to win at least seven NAIA championships.

Wayland Baptist’s Kimberly Smith, who won her second straight 100-meter dash championship on Friday, followed it up by defending her title in the women’s 200-meter dash on Saturday. As she did on Friday, Smith held off a challenge from McKendree’s Lanece Clarke and Shelinda Brackett down the stretch.

For a complete list of winners from the 2009 NAIA Men’s and Women’s Track and Field National Championships, please visit the NAIA web-site.

The DAC has 21 track and field athletes on NAIA Scholar-Athlete list. Men's academic honorees are Tyler Van Peursem of Dakota State; Scott Murphy of Dickinson State and Matthew Deardoff, Scott Anderson and Jason Simmons from South Dakota Mines. The men's Scholar-Athlete list is found on the NAIA web-site. Women's Scholar-Athlete selections include Clarice Bauer, Suzanne Swett and Samantha Warnke of Dakota State; Rachel Clark, Ashley Emmons, Vanessa Escobar, Christa Hofland and Rayel McPeters of Dickinson State; Ashleigh Anderson, Emmylynn Bentley, Rachel Bickford, Alyssa Bossler, Rebecca Price and Valerie Wahl of Jamestown College; Ciarra Klein and Jill Lockie of Minot State and Ashley Stewart of South Dakota Mines. The women's Scholar-Athlete list is available on the NAIA web-site.

May 21, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Dakota Athletic Conference has nine baseball players, one men's golfer and two women's golfers who have earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition.

Baseball Scholar-Athletes are Ryan Breitling from Dakota State; Torey Bohan, Miles Johnson and Eric Schmid of Jamestown College; Zachary Schaefer, Mitchell Schwindt and Kyle Swenson of Mayville State; and Joshua Hvidsten and Brody Pinkerton of Minot State. The complete list of baseball honorees can be found on the NAIA web-site.

Jordan Kelly from Minot State is the lone DAC men's golfer on the NAIA Scholar-Athlete list. The complete list of men's golf Scholar-Athletes is available on the NAIA web-site.

Women's golf Scholar Athletes are Lindsey Filkowski and Staci Moore of Dickinson State. The complete list of Scholar-Athletes for women's golf is located on the NAIA web-site.

May 20, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Two players from the Dakota Athletic Conference have been named NAIA All Americans for softball and three players earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors.

Dickinson State sophomore pitcher Sara Jane Webster was named an at-large First Team All American and Minot State junior shortstop Jenessa Penner was selected as an at-large Second Team All American. 

DAC players who earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition are Amanda Perrotte and Jenna Eger of Dickinson State and Shannon Murray of Minot State.

For the complete lists of NAIA All Americans and Scholar-Athletes, go to the NAIA web-site.

May 19, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) – Dickinson State is the winner of the Dakota Athletic Conference Commissioner’s Cup for the 2008-09 school year.

The Blue Hawks compiled 120 points to capture the honor. Black Hills State finished second with 113 points, followed by Jamestown College with 101, Minot State with 96, South Dakota Mines with 62, Dakota State with 60, Valley City State with 34 and Mayville State with 27.

Dickinson State won six conference championships (football, women’s basketball, men’s indoor and outdoor track and field, baseball and softball) during the 2008-09 season. Black Hills State captured seven conference crowns (co-champions in volleyball and outright titles in men’s and women’s cross county, men’s basketball, women’s golf and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field). Minot State captured one conference championship (men’s golf) and Jamestown College won a conference title (co-champions in volleyball).

The Commissioner’s Cup is awarded to the member institution with the best overall record in conference competition. Points are awarded based on each school’s finish in conference sports that include a conference championship.

May 19, 2009

(Decatur, AL) -- Behind the arm of Sharon Bell, St. Gregory’s, OK will play California Baptist University for the 2009 NAIA National Championship after a 3-1 win over Dickinson State. In the win over Dickinson State, Bell recorded 10 strikeouts in the game, pushing her tournament total to a record 78 strikeouts. She passed the old record of 72 set back in 2005 Ashley Lantz of Simon Fraser (Canada) University. 

St. Gregory’s did not waste time as they posted two runs in the top of the first inning. Cortney Reynaga drove in the first run with an RBI double, followed by an RBI single from Wendy Acosta. Another run for the Cavaliers in the third on Acosta’s second RBI single of the game gave Bell the insurance runs she needed. 

Dickinson State, ranked No. 3 in the NAIA, made their first noise of the game when Erika Arvizo drove a Bell pitch for a homerun in the bottom of the seventh. But that would be all the Blue Hawks would get.

Bell (29-8) tossed a complete game, allowing just five hits and one run with the 10 strikeouts. Sara Jane Webster took the loss, allowing seven hits and three runs in her complete game effort. 

St. Gregory’s, ranked No. 7 in the NAIA, will face No. 1 California Baptist at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20. This is a rematch of the winner’s bracket final when California Baptist defeated St. Gregory’s 5-4. St. Gregory’s will need to defeat California Baptist twice to claim the title.

Dickinson State ends their season with a 42-5 record.

May 19, 2009

(Decatur, AL) -- With both teams trying to say alive in the 29th Annual NAIA Softball National Championships, No. 3 Dickinson State, ND and No. 6 Oklahoma City University played down to the wire. After losing a 6-1 lead in the top of the seventh, Dickinson State’s Kelly Jahn singled in the bottom of the seventh to win the game, 7-6.

Both teams scored a run in the third inning in what seemed to be developing into a pitchers duel. However, in the bottom of the fifth, Dickinson State (42-4) scored five runs to take a commanding lead. The first two runs scored on a dropped fly ball in the outfield with the bases loaded. Dickinson State’s Danielle Crawford later hit a three-run homer to put her team up 6-1.

That score remained until the top of the seventh inning. Oklahoma City, winners of eight national championships, had one last rally in them. Erin Slettvet led off with a single to bring up Melissa Moore who promptly hit a two-run homer to give the Stars life. Over the next six batters, Oklahoma City took advantage of a walk, four straight singles, and an outfield error to tie the game at 6-6. Dickinson State final got out of the inning with a fielder’s choice to end the frame. 

In the bottom half of the seventh, Nicole Marcoux walked to lead off the inning. Crawford, who had a homer back in the fifth inning, sacrificed the runner to second. Jahn then sent her team into the final three with a game-winning single.

Crawford’s three RBI led Dickinson State, while Sara Jane Webster and Jahn led with two hits. Jen Davis paced Oklahoma City with a 3-for-4 day, while Moore’s two RBI were tops on the team.

Webster earned the win in relief of starter Marcoux. Ashley Wilburn took the loss for Oklahoma City.

Dickinson State advances to play St. Gregory’s at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19. Oklahoma City ends their season with a 53-9 record.

May 18, 2009

(Decatur, AL) -- Dickinson State is one of four teams remaining to compete for a national championship at the NAIA National Softball Tournament in Decatur, AL.

The Blue Hawks opened the eight team, double-elimination tournament with a 6-3 win over eight time national champion Oklahoma City. Dickinson State (40-3), ranked No. 3 in the NAIA, scored four times in the first inning to take a lead they would not give up. Jody Lantz and Kelly Jahn posted two RBI each, while Lantz led the two with two hits. The Blue Hawks added a run each in the fifth and sixth innings for some insurance. Oklahoma City (51-8) rallied in the top of the seventh, but only came up with three runs, falling short of the comeback. Sara Jane Webster (26-2) tossed a complete game, scattering nine hits and striking out nine batters. Lilly LeVelle (24-5) took the loss, despite holding Dickinson State to just six hits in the contest.

Dickinson State was then beaten 7-5 by St. Gregory's OK, who earlier defeated defending national champion Lubbock Christian, TX. St. Gregory’s started strong with a five-run first inning. However, Dickinson State kept the game interesting with two runs in the bottom half of the inning on a homer by Jody Lantz. St. Gregory’s padded the lead again with runs in the third and fourth innings to lead 7-2. Dickinson State again rallied with a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth, including a homer from Kyrstin Gemar. However, the comeback fell short as St. Gregory’s held on for the 7-5 win. 

The DAC champions stayed alive with a 9-6 triumph over Notre Dame, OH. Notre Dame, ranked No. 25 in the NAIA was the lowest seeded team to advance to the final eight. Notre Dame had just eliminated No. 9 Martin Methodist, TN and took a 3-2 lead over Dickinson State going into the fourth inning. However, this game proved to be a back-and-forth contest that included six lead changes. Dickinson State (41-4) responded with a run in the fourth and fifth inning to lead 5-4. Notre Dame answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to regain the lead. But once again, Dickinson State bounced back with two runs in the sixth inning and three more in the seventh to seal the win. Kyrstin Gemar and Danielle Crawford each tallied three hits in the game to lead Dickinson State. Gemar added two RBI and two run scored, including a homerun. Notre Dame’s Anna Ball was 3-for-4 with a homer. 

The Blue Hawks will face Oklahoma City at 12:30 on Tuesday afternoon in a loser out game. The winner's bracket game at 12:30 will have St. Gregory's facing California Baptist. The DSU/Oklahoma City winner will face the loser of St. Gregory's/Cal Baptist at 5:30. The championship game will be played at 12:30 Wednesday afternoon with a second game to follow, if needed. For tournament pairings, scores and live stats, go to the NAIA web-site.

May 17, 2009

(Decatur, AL) -- After rain pushed back games on Saturday and eventually postponed play, Dickinson State returned to the field Sunday afternoon and advanced to the eight team, double-elimination bracket of the NAIA Softball Tournament in Decatur, AL with a 3-1 win over Concordia, CA.

The two teams played a scoreless first inning on Saturday before the rain returned to push the remainder of the game to Sunday. Concordia got on the scoreboard first with a single run in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Jennifer Simons. The Blue Hawks put a three spot up in the bottom of the sixth to pick up the victory and move on in the tournament. Danielle Crawford tied the score with a bases loaded single and Kelly Jahn followed with a two run single.

Sara Jane Webster pitched a complete game, allowing one run on four hits with 17 strikeouts and two walks. Webster picked up all three wins in pool play for DSU and improved to 24-2 on the season.

The Blue Hawks record moves to 39-3 and advance to the bracket portion of the national tournament. DSU finished 3-0 to win their pool and will face Oklahoma City at 11:00 Monday in the opening round of the double-elimination bracket. For tournament pairings, scores and live stats, go to the NAIA web-site.

May 15, 2009

(Decatur, AL) -- Dickinson State improved to 2-0 in play at the NAIA Softball Tournament in Decatur, AL with a 5-0 win over Missouri Valley, avenging a loss to MVU in Tucson, AZ in March.

The Blue Hawks struck early with four runs in the top of the first inning and DAC MVP Sara Jane Webster pitched a complete game, three hitter with 12 strikeouts. Jody Lantz opened the scoring with a two run double and Kristin Gemar followed with a two run home run. Kelly Jahn added an RBI single in fifth to close out the scoring. 

Webster and Vanessa Adame each had two hits and a run scored; Gemar had two hits, two RBI and a run scored and Jahn had two hits and an RBI as the Blue Hawks improved to 38-3 on the season. With the win, Webster's season record stands at 23-2.

The Blue Hawks wrap up pool play at 12:00 on Saturday against Concordia, CA. The eight pool play winners advance to an eight team, double-elimination bracket to decide the national title. For complete coverage of the NAIA National Softball Tournament, go to the NAIA web-site.

May 14, 2009

(Decatur, AL) -- Dickinson State opened pool play with a 10-0 win over Northwood, TX at the NAIA Softball Tournament in Decatur, AL.

The Blue Hawks scored seven runs in the second inning, added one in the third and two in the fourth to blank Northwood in an eight run rule contest in five innings. DAC MVP Sara Jane Webster gave up no runs on one hit in four innings with eight strikeouts to pick up the win and Nicole Marcoux pitched a perfect fifth inning to close out the game. Webster hit a grand slam in the seven run second and Jody Lantz added a solo shot in the inning. Lantz had two hits, Marcoux added a pair of hits and two runs and Vanessa Adame had a hit, two RBI and scored a run as the Blue Hawks improved to 37-3 overall and 1-0 in pool play. 

DSU plays Missouri Valley at 12:30 on Friday and Concordia, CA at 12:00 on Saturday to wrap up pool play. The eight pool play winners advance to an eight team, double-elimination bracket to decide the national title. For complete coverage of the NAIA National Softball Tournament, go to the NAIA web-site.

May 13, 2009

(Sioux City, IA) -- Fresno Pacific, CA used a nine-run second inning, highlighted by a Joey Norwood grand slam, to get past Jamestown, 14-5, in an elimination game at the opening round of the NAIA Baseball National Championship at Lewis and Clark Park in Sioux City, IA.

The Sunbirds grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a pair of hits, all with two outs. Case Rigby doubled to right center and scored on an RBI single by Justin Keeney. Keeney stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error by the Jamestown catcher and scored on a balk.

FPU blew the game open in the second as the Sunbirds scored nine runs on five hits and five walks, sending 14 batters to the plate. Tyler Pryor hit a two-run triple and later scored on a single by Rigby, which chased Jamestown starter Phil Curtis (2-1). Back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Norwood, who smacked the first pitch from reliever Josh Loewen over the fence for the grand slam.

The 11 runs in the first two innings proved to be more then enough for Fresno Pacific starter, David Hawes (5-4). The freshman pitched seven strong innings and gave up seven hits, three runs and struck out three. Matt Mazzoni pitched the final two innings in relief.

Fresno Pacific totaled 15 hits and earned nine walks off four Jamestown pitchers. Five players recorded two hits for the Sunbirds, including Alec Mehrten who went 2-for-4 and scored four runs. Dwight Nixon reached base four times with two doubles and a pair of walks. The junior now has eight hits in three games at the championship. Case Rigby (2-5, 2 runs) and Joe Halderman (2-4, 2 RBIs) were the other top hitters for the Sunbirds.

Ben Cairns led Jamestown at the plate with three hits, including a double, and two runs scored. Kyle Montgomery went 2-for-3 and Cam McLachlan added a solo home run in the eighth. The Jimmies end the season with a 26-11 overall record.

Fresno Pacific won for the second time on the day and improved to 35-19 this season. They advance to play Madonna, MI Thursday at noon in an elimination game. Madonna defeated the Sunbirds 12-11 (12) on Tuesday in the opening round. The winner of Thursday’s elimination game will play Bellevue, NE in a championship game at 3:00 pm.

May 12, 2009

(Sioux City, IA) -- Top-seeded Bellevue, NE came from behind to defeat Jamestown College 5-3 in the final game of the opening round of the NAIA Baseball National Championship in a Lewis and Clark Park Sioux City, Iowa.

Trailing 3-2, the Bruins tied the game in the seventh inning on one hit and a throwing error by the Jimmies catcher. Louie Templeton walked to lead off the inning, stole second and advanced to third on an error by the Jamestown catcher. He then scored the tying run on an RBI single by Tyler Goodro.

Bellevue went ahead for good with two runs in the eighth. Senior Jerrod White belted a 2-1 pitch over the left field wall off of Jamestown reliever Tyler Rice (3-2) for the first run. Anthony Bazant followed with a single and stole second. He then scored on a single by pinch-hitter R.J. Jerrick to give the Bruins an insurance run.

Bruins reliever Chris Williamson (7-2).pitched three innings of no-hit relief to earn the win. He struck out one and walked two. Bellevue starter Luis Castillo gave up seven hits and three runs in the first six innings.

Bellevue totaled 11 hits, led by White with two and one run scored. Nine other players had one hit each for the balanced Bruins line-up. Bellevue also recorded eight stolen bases, two each by Templeton, Bazant and Chad Lambert.

Jamestown registered seven hits, led by Jeremy Newman who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Jordan Dusanji added a double and a run scored. Ryan Lucero, the Jimmies starter, pitched the first seven innings and allowed three runs on eight hits.

Bellevue improves to 40-10 on the season and advances to play Madonna, MI Wednesday in a winner’s bracket game at 1:00 pm. Jamestown falls to 26-10 and will play the winner of Fresno Pacific, CA or Nebraska Wesleyan in an elimination game at 4:00 pm.

(Sioux City, IA) -- Jamestown College defeated Nebraska Wesleyan 7-6 in 11 innings in the first game of the opening round of the NAIA Baseball National Championship at Lewis and Clark Park in Sioux City, IA.

Trailing 6-5 heading into the bottom of the 11th, Jamestown junior Nick Meehan began the rally with an infield single and advanced to third off an error by NWU on a ball hit by Erik Church. Meehan scored the tying run on the next play on another error by the Prairie Wolves. After an intentional walk loaded the bases, Jamestown senior Jordan Duscanj drove in the game-winner off a fielder’s choice that scored Church.

Steve Hirchert (5-3) picked up the win for the Jimmies, pitching the final 3.1 innings in relief. The senior gave up just one hit, one earned run while striking out four. Alex Kreis pitched the first 7.2 innings and gave up three hits, two earned runs and struck out 10.

Nebraska Wesleyan, the GPAC regular season champion, grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning without recording a hit. Jamestown answered in the home half of the first with one run off two hits, scoring on an RBI single by Cam McLachlan. NWU scored two more runs in the second inning on a two-run single by Tyler Stephenson to take a 4-1 lead.

Jamestown came back with two runs in the bottom of the third and tied the game up in the fifth off an unearned run. McLachlan belted an RBI triple in the third and tied the game on a run-scoring double.

The Prairie Wolves went ahead, 5-4, in the eighth when Max Hubka singled and later scored on a double by Josh Ostrom. NWU and starting pitcher Zane Cascini still led by one with two outs in the ninth when Jamestown rallied. Kyle Montgomery smacked a two-out single, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored the tying run on a single by Church.

Nebraska Wesleyan went ahead again the top of the 11th off a solo home run by Cory Hilgenkamp but was unable to hold the lead in the bottom of the inning.

Jamestown totaled 11 hits, led by both McLachlan and Montgomery with three hits each. McLachlan, who needed a home run to hit for the cycle, scored one run and recorded three RBIs. The Jimmies, who improve to 26-9, will play top-seeded Bellevue, NE at 4:00 PM Monday.

NWU managed four hits, one each by Stephenson, Hubka, Hilgenkamp and Ostrom. Hilgenkamp scored a run and had two RBIs. He took the loss on the mound and falls to 7-2 this season. The Prairie Wolves drop to 28-12 and will play in an elimination game Tuesday morning at 10:00 am.

May 09, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Jamestown College is the number four seed in Field 9 of the NAIA National Championship Opening Round in Sioux City, IA on May 12-15. The Jimmies earned the invite to the tournament by winning the DAC Tournament championship in Minot.

Jamestown will open the tournament at 10:00 AM Central Time on Tuesday, May 12 against fifth seeded Nebraska Wesleyan. A win would put the Jimmies into a matchup with top seed Bellevue, NE at 4:00 that day, while a loss would drop them into a loser out game against either Fresno Pacific, CA or Madonna, MI at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 13. A complete schedule of the double-elimination tournament can be found on the baseball page of the DAC web-site.

The NAIA National Tournament Opening Round features nine fields of five teams in a double-elimination tournament. The nine field champions join host Lewis-Clark State, ID for the Avista-NAIA World Series in Lewiston, ID on May 22-29. For more information on the NAIA National Baseball Tournament, go to the NAIA web-site.

May 08, 2009

(Madison, SD) -- The Black Hills State women captured their fourth straight conference title and the Dickinson State men earned their sixth consecutive conference crown at the Dakota Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Madison, SD.

The Yellow Jackets edged Dickinson State in the women's team race. BHSU collected 232 points to edge the Blue Hawks with 231. Jamestown College finished third with 190.5 points followed by Dakota State with 75, Minot State with 52.5 and South Dakota Mines with 25.

Aubrey Baxter, Wendy O'Lexey and Shelli Scheffler led the Yellow Jackets to the team title as each captured multiple individual conference championships. Baxter won conference titles in the shot put, discus and hammer throw; O'Lexey won the 5000 and 10,000 meters and Scheffler won the 1500 meters and the 3000 meter steeplechase. Sarah Skipper of Jamestown College added conference championships in the 100 meter hurdles and 400 meter hurdles to the conference title she won in the heptathlon at the DAC Multi-Events competition in April. Kelsey Aide of Dickinson State was the only other multi event winner, capturing the pole vault and long jump.

Three conference records were broken at the meet. O'Lexey set the conference mark in the 10,000 meters (39:16.25), Baxter set the record in the hammer throw (191' 01") and Aide set the new standard in the pole vault (121' 02.25").

Dickinson State compiled 350 points to outdistance the field in the men's team race. Black Hills State was the runner-up with 130 points, followed by Dakota State with 109, Jamestown College with 101, Minot State with 88 and South Dakota Mines with 52.

The Blue Hawks and Yellow Jackets each had two individuals capture multiple conference championships. Dickinson State's Ramon Miller won the 200 and 400 meters and Allan Ayala swept the 110 meter hurdles and 400 meter hurdles. Black Hills State's Tyler Peursem won the 800 and 1500 meters and Jason Boeding captured the discus and hammer throw.

Two conference records were set at the meet. Boeding set the conference mark in the hammer throw (176' 11") and Trent Waage of Black Hills State broke the record in the 10,000 meters (31:52.32).

Complete results on the meet can be found on the Outdoor Track Results page of the DAC web-site.

May 07, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Conference champion Minot State has four spots on the All DAC Men's Golf Team, while women's champion Black Hills State and runner-up Dickinson State filled two spots apiece on the All DAC Women's Golf Team.

Individual conference champ Jordan Kelly of Minot State is joined on the men's all conference team by teammates Carter Hilkewich, Justin Aberle and Ben Edwards. Kyle Chan and TJ Poulsen of Dickinson State round out the team. Kelly and Poulsen share the Most Valuable Player award, while Hilkewich was chosen the Senior Most Valuable Player. Dwight Farrell of Minot State and Tim Daniel of Dickinson State were voted Co-Coach of the Year.

Poulsen will be the lone player from the DAC competing at the NAIA National Men's Golf Tournament on May 19-22 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, IL. Poulsen earned the national tournament invite by winning medalist honors at the NAIA Unaffiliated Qualifying Tournament in Sioux Falls, SD on May 1-2.

Women's individual champion AJ Rolfson and Katelynn Lamb of Black Hills State are joined on the all conference squad by Kelsey Boedeker and Lindsey Kent-Filkowski of Dickinson State; Whitney Stanley of Minot State and Heather Cellner of Jamestown College. Rolfson was named the Most Valuable Player; Kent-Filkowski was voted Senior Most Valuable Player and Jaime Bentley of Black Hills State was selected Coach of the Year.

Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines will compete at the NAIA National Women's Golf Tournament, May 12-15 at the Meadowbrook Municipal Golf Course in Rapid City, SD. The Yellow Jackets earned the berth by winning the conference title, while the Hardrockers received the invite as the host school.

May 06, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- The NAIA has announced the pool assignments and game schedules for the NAIA Softball National Championship in Decatur, AL on May 14-20.

DAC champion Dickinson State is ranked third in the final poll and is in Pool "C" with number 14 Concordia, CA; Missouri Valley and Northwood, TX. 

The Blue Hawks (36-3) will open pool play at 9:30 AM on May 14 against Northwood (23-28-2). They will try to avenge one of their three losses on the season when they face Missouri Valley (33-21) at 12:30 PM on May 15. Missouri Valley defeated DSU, 4-2, on March 20 in Tucson, AZ. The Hawks' final pool play matchup is on May 16 at 12:00 PM against Concordia (39-20).

The tournament features eight four team pools with 25 teams receiving automatic berths and seven others receiving at-large invites. The top finisher in each of the pools will advance to an eight team, double elimination bracket to determine the national champion. For more information, go to the NAIA web-site.

May 06, 2009

(Madison, SD) -- The Dakota State University Athletics Department is excited to announce the B2 Networks live coverage of the DAC Outdoor Track & Field Conference Meet on Friday May 8th. The meet will be held at Trojan Field. Viewers can go to B2 Live TV for complete coverage of the meet. The coverage will begin at 11:00 AM Central Time.

May 04, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Conference champion Dickinson State has seven members on the All Dakota Athletic Conference Baseball Team and two selections on the Gold Glove team, while Jamestown College accounts for five all conference members and three Gold Glovers.

Dickinson State pitcher Sara Jane Webster was chosen the conference Most Valuable Player and Pitcher of the Year. Third baseman Kayla Price of Jamestown was voted Most Valuable Senior and infielder Leigh Gramke of Dakota State was honored as Freshman of the Year. Guy Fridley of Dickinson State and Kevin Gall of Jamestown share the Coach of the Year award.

The complete list of the All Conference Team, Gold Glove Team and Post-Season Awards is available on the DAC Softball All-Conference page.

May 04, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Conference tournament champion Jamestown College has eight members of the All Dakota Athletic Conference Baseball Team, while regular season champion Dickinson State picked up five members of the honor squad. Minot State leads the conference with four selections to the DAC Gold Glove team.

First basemen Efrain Ruiz of Dickinson State was chosen the Most Valuable Player; Minot State outfielder Mike Ronnie was selected the Most Valuable Senior; Dickinson State's Jamil Acosta has been honored as the Pitcher of the Year; Dakota State outfielder Hibraim Cordova was voted the Freshman of the Year and Duane Monlux of Dickinson State was honored as the Coach of the Year.

The complete list of All Conference Teams, Gold Glove Team and Post-Season Awards can be found on the DAC Baseball All-Conference page.

April 29, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- The pairings are now set for the Dakota Athletic Conference baseball and softball tournaments.

The DAC Baseball Tournament will be played on Friday, May 1-Sunday, May 3 at Corbett Field in Minot. Regular season champion Dickinson State receives a first round bye. The opening game of the tournament will have fourth seed Dakota State taking on number five Mayville State at 9:00 Central Time, followed by number two Jamestown facing third seeded Minot State at 12:00. The Blue Hawks' first contest will be at 4:00 against the winner of Dakota State and Mayville State. For the complete tournament schedule, go to the baseball page of the DAC web-site.

The DAC Softball Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 2-Sunday, May 3 at the Gress Softball Complex in Dickinson. Regular season champion Dickinson State and runner-up Jamestown College receive byes in the first round. The opening games of the tourney have fourth seeded Dakota State facing number five Black Hills State at 10:00 Mountain Time on field one and number three Minot State facing the sixth seed from Mayville State at 10:30 on field three. The Blue Hawks' opening game will be against the Dakota State vs. Black Hills State winner at 12:00 on field one and the Jimmies' first tournament game will be against the winner of the Minot State and Mayville State contest at 12:30 on field three. For the complete tournament schedule, go to the softball page of the DAC web-site.

Due to the flooding in Valley City State, the Vikings cancelled their baseball and softball seasons and will not be participating in the conference tournaments.

The tournament champions automatically qualify for the NAIA national tournaments.

April 22, 2009

(Madison, SD) -- Dakota State University director of athletics Gene Wockenfuss announced the hiring of Gary Garner as the head coach for the men’s basketball program.

“Gary’s prior experience as a Division I and II coach at highly successful collegiate programs will be invaluable as he readies to lead our team,” said Wockenfuss. “He brings a tremendous amount of basketball experience and knowledge to Dakota State.”

Garner collegiate experience is primarily on the Division I and II level. For the past two years, he has served as the assistant coach for Iowa Energy, a team with the NBA Development League. He served as head basketball coach at Southeast Missouri State University from 1997-2006. From 1991-1997 he led the men’s team at Fort Hays State University. His 1995-1996 team won the NCAA Division II Tournament, capping a perfect 34-0 season. That same year Garner was named the NCAA II Bulletin National Coach of the Year and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

Garner has also served stints as head coach at Drake University and Missouri Southern University. He has been an assistant at the University of Missouri and Tulsa University.

His coaching career has included multiple appearances at the NCAA Division II Tournament. His Southeast Missouri State team reached the NCAA Division I Tournament in 2000. Garner reached his 300 collegiate win in 2000. His record of 63-2 was the best among collegiate coaches during 1995-1997.

"I am really excited about the opportunity to be the Head Basketball Coach at Dakota State University and to begin our journey toward building a championship program,” said Garner. “I look forward to bringing student athletes to Dakota State that will represent the students, faculty, alumni and community in a manner that they can be proud of.”

Garner and wife Barb will be moving from Des Moines to Madison.

April 21, 2009

(Kansas City, MO) -- Sara Jane Webster of Dickinson State was awarded the NAIA Softball Pitcher of the Week for April 13-19. The sophomore from Los Angeles, CA, had three wins in three appearances last week. Against Minot State, she threw her fourth no-hitter of the year while breaking Dickinson State’s single game record with 17 strikeouts. On the week, Webster pitched 17 innings while allowing zero earned runs, one hit and struck out 34 batters for the fourth ranked Blue Hawks. For the season, Webster is 17-2 with two saves, an ERA of 0.89 and leads the NAIA in strikeouts per nine innings at 17.07.

April 20, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Defending NAIA champion Sioux Falls, SD (14-0 in 2008) and runner-up Carroll College, MT (13-1) are one and two in the NAIA Football Coaches' Spring Preseason Poll. Lindenwood, MO (11-2); St. Francis, IN (12-1) and Morningside, IA (10-2) round out the top five.

Defending Dakota Athletic Conference champion Dickinson State (7-4) is rated number 14 and Jamestown College (7-3) is in the poll at number 24. Minot State (6-4) was the only other conference team to receive votes.

The complete poll can be found on the NAIA web-site.

April 19, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Former Dickinson State baseball standout Luis Avila recently signed a professional contract to play baseball for the Tijuana Potros of the Golden Baseball League. He becomes the third player in Blue Hawk history to sign a professional baseball contract, joining Travis Hodsdon and Marcus Davis.

Avila was 13-11 in two seasons with an ERA of 3.81 in 25 starts on the mound. He tossed 165 innings in two seasons, including a DSU single season record of 91.2 during the 2008 season. He had a stellar junior campaign during the 2007 season, leading the Blue Hawks with an 8-2 record, a 1.72 ERA, and 73 K’s in 73.1 innings. He was named DAC pitcher of the year for the 2007 season.

“We are very happy for Luis and wish him the best of luck down the road,” says DSU head coach Duane Monlux. “Luis is a phenomenal person and a heck of a pitcher. I expect him to do very well in the Golden League. We certainly wish him the best. I know he will represent himself and Dickinson State University very well.”

April 15, 2009

(Valley City, ND) -- Valley City State University officials say they are calling off classes for the remainder of the spring semester due to the impact of flooding.

Officials at VCSU say that the campus is dry but is in rough physical condition due to the construction of dikes, damage from equipment and plugged drains to prevent sewers from backing up. The city had recommended that residents in low lying areas of Valley City evacuate to make way for emergency and construction crews to fight the overflowing Sheyenne River.

With the closing of the campus, the Valley City State athletic department has decided to cancel the remainder of the baseball and softball season. Athletic Director B.J. Pumroy announced that the decision to cancel the spring sports was difficult.

"With the public announcement from President Steven Shirley regarding the decision for students not to return to campus for the remainder of the spring 2009 semester, Valley City State University has also determined that the best course of action is to cancel the remainder of the baseball and softball seasons," said Pumroy. "This was not an easy decision to come by. The key component came down to, the city is asking a high percentage of its population to evacuate for what will be a long period of time and it would be quite contradictory to invite 50 student athletes back at the same time. We did think of alternatives of having all games and practices held in another community but that proved to be too impractical and fiscally impossible."

Student-athletes who participate in baseball and softball at VCSU may get the year of eligibility returned to them under the extreme circumstances.

"We have word that we will be able to salvage the season of eligibility for each baseball and softball player who has competed this season," stated Pumroy. "There is a process through the NAIA to not have the season count as one of the four a student is allowed to compete. We are getting the details in place of whether we need to file a formal request or if this is handled within the Dakota Athletic Conference itself."

The university will resume spring courses online and will hold their commencement ceremony on May 16, although a location for the event is not yet known.

April 03, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) – The Dakota Athletic Conference is proud to announce the Dacotah Bank DAC Bowl to be played Sunday, November 8 at the FargoDome in Fargo, ND. The event will feature the eight schools of the conference competing in four games to wrap up the football regular season.

Dacotah Bank is partnering with the DAC to co-sponsor the bowl. Dacotah Bank has 35 locations in hometowns throughout North Dakota and South Dakota, including Minot, Dickinson, Valley City and Rapid City. 

“The Dakota Athletic Conference is grateful to Dacotah Bank for their willingness to partner with us to make this a special event for all conference members, their athletes, families, alumni and fans,” said DAC Commissioner LaVern Jessen. “We expect this event to be a great opportunity to showcase the outstanding football played in the DAC.”

All games will count in the conference standings even though teams will be meeting for the second time in the season. The pairings for the games will be based on the conference standings the week of the event.

Based in Aberdeen, SD, Dacotah Bank’s banking assets exceed $1.5 billion dollars making it one of the largest independent banks in the upper Midwest. Dacotah Bank employs nearly 500 people and serves over 50,000 customers with banking, insurance, mortgage, and trust services. More information about Dacotah Bank is available at dacotahbank.com.

April 03, 2009

(Madison, SD) -- Dakota State University announces the hiring of Amy Veenhof as their new head volleyball coach.

Veenhof has served as an assistant at Northern State University, SD since 2005. Prior to her position at Northern State, Veenhof was the head coach at Si Tanka University-Huron, SD.

Along with her coaching duties at NSU, Veenhof has worked with area high school athletes for club play and volleyball camps. She also serves as the assistant compliance officer at NSU where she monitors NCAA rules and regulations and student-athlete eligibility.

"I am very excited for the opportunity to coach at Dakota State University," said Veenhof. "After meeting with various people at the school and on campus, I feel that Dakota State is going to be an excellent fit for me. I'm excited for the challenge of getting the Dakota State volleyball program up to the top of the Dakota Athletic Conference because I am confident that is where we belong."

Veenhof is a graduate of Si Tanka-Huron with a degree in elementary education. She will graduate from NSU in December 2009 with a Master's Degree in education, teaching and learning with emphasis in health, physical education and coaching.

Veenhof was an Academic All-American volleyball and softball player at Si Tanka-Huron. She takes over the Trojan volleyball program from Cindy Henning who resigned earlier this year.

March 26, 2009

(Grand Island, NE) –- The initial rosters for the 3rd annual College Fanz/Victory Sports Network NAIA “Senior Classic” have been released. Players range from 50 different NAIA schools from states across the country.

“This is an extremely talented group of football players,” said Jason Dannelly, Director of NAIA Relations for the College Fanz Sports Network and founder of the annual football showcase. “This is easily the highest concentration of first team, second team and honorable mention All-Americans that we have ever had compete in this showcase event.”

The College Fanz Sports Network’s Senior Classic will pit 120 former NAIA football players against one another in a showcase of talent and character. The game kicks off Saturday, April 25th at 1:00 PM Central Standard Time in Platte County R3 High School’s Pirate Stadium in Platte City, Missouri.

Highlighting the offenses are first team All-American running backs Nick Banks of Minot State University and Greg Fountain of Campbellsville. Fountain led the NAIA in rushing with 1,726 yards total (and 156.9 yards per game), while Banks was second averaging 143.8 yards per game. Zach Morrison, an offensive lineman from Shorter College, and Ian Gilworth, a quarterback from Morningside College, round out the second team All-American participants.

Defensively, there are three first team All-Americans participating. Leading the way at linebacker are Nathan Jansen of Northwestern College (Iowa) and Demetrious Washington of NAIA National Champion the University of Sioux Falls. Robbie Schultz of Benedictine College anchors the defensive line selections. Larry Wentzel, a defensive lineman from Missouri Valley, and Gannon Novak from St. Francis (Ill.), round out the second team All-American participants.

Banks is one of ten players from the Dakota Athletic Conference who will be playing in the game. Other DAC participants are wide receiver Jamie January from Black Hills State; defensive lineman Stephen Elkins and safety/linebacker Tyler Green of Mayville State; punter Michael Fox and tight end/fullback Donald Morris of Minot State and fullback Jordan Fylling, offensive lineman Randy Hjort, offensive lineman/fullback Clint Klemisch and offensive lineman Dustin Brandt from Valley City State.

The teams will be coached by John Bland of Cumberlands, KY and Lance Hinson of St. Mary’s, KS.

Last season the Nationals downed the Americans, 29-21. The Nationals offensive MVP was Joey Waters of Union College (Ky.) while their defensive MVP was Lakaito Barr-Miller of the University of Saint Mary (Kan.). The Americans offensive MVP was Andrew Baeza of Bethel College (Kan.) and their defensive MVP was Shane Ryan of Peru State (Neb.).

March 17, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Two women's players and one men's player from the Dakota Athletic Conference have been named to the NAIA All America Basketball Teams, while five others received Honorable Mention recognition.

DAC MVP Kia Herbel of conference champion Dickinson State was named to the women's first team and Minot State's Lashay Bagsby was chosen for the second team. Katelynn Lamb of Black Hill State and Abby Rittenhouse were selected as Honorable Mention recipients. The complete list of NAIA Women's All Americans can be found on the NAIA web-site.

League MVP Luke Enos of DAC champion Black Hills State was selected to the men's second team. Enos' teammates Cain Atkinson and Will John Johnson received Honorable Mention honors, along with Nate Lebsock of Dickinson State and Aaron Patterson of Minot State. The complete NAIA Men's All America selections are available on the NAIA web-site.

The DAC also had 17 women's players earn NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition They are Mandy Brumfield, Brittany Fuhrman and Janna Schriber of Black Hills State; Katie Bourke and Dayna Tschakert of Dakota State; Ashley Emmons, Staci Moore and Brittany Ridl of Dickinson State; Ali Edwards of Jamestown College; Whitney Loftesness, Sam Metcalf and Halee Rasmussen of Minot State; Bethany Holyoak, Nicole Martin and Leah Sundby of South Dakota Mines and Heidi Larson and Brittany Olson of Valley City State. The complete list of NAIA Scholar-Athletes is available on the NAIA web-site. 

Ten DAC players received NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors for men's basketball. The honorees are Brian Bolin of Dakota State; Drew Erhardt and Ryan Ernst of Dickinson State; John Peabody of Jamestown; Micah Berge, Andrew Bergerson and Brandon Schafer of Mayville State; Bart Cass and Brandon Smith from South Dakota Mines and Michael York of Valley City State. The complete list of NAIA Scholar-Athletes is available on the NAIA web-site.

March 16, 2009

(Point Lookout, MO) -- Top-seeded Oklahoma Wesleyan made 14 three-pointers to shoot past #5 Black Hills State 85-72 in the semifinals and advance to its first ever championship game at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of the College of the Ozarks, MO.

Both teams came into their first Final Four on impressive win streaks (16 for Oklahoma Wesleyan and Black Hills State 15). The lead switched hands several times early on but after a Mike McNeil three-pointer, the top-seeded Eagles held a 14-11 advantage. Black Hills State followed with an 11-2 run and after a three-pointer by Clay Pottorff, the Yellow Jackets opened up its largest lead of the game (28-21).

Trailing by five (36-31), Steve Briggs scored 11 straight points for OWU to trigger an 11-2 run to put the Eagles back up by four. A McNeil three-pointer put the score at 45-42 but Black Hills State scored the final four points of the half, all by sophomore Luke Enos, to give the Yellow Jackets the lead at the half, 46-45. Enos led BHSU with 14 first half points while McNeil led Oklahoma Wesleyan with 16, going 4-for-4 from the three-point line. Briggs added 15 for the Eagles in the first half.

Oklahoma Wesleyan outscored Black Hills State 14-2 to open up an 11-point lead, 59-48. Both teams went cold from the field over a four minute stretch but the Yellow Jackets fought back to cut the lead to five (62-57) after a basket by Pottorff with eight minutes left. A basket by Sadiel Rojas and three straight three-pointers, two by Briggs and one by McNeil, gave Oklahoma Wesleyan a commanding 73-61 lead. Black Hills State made one last charge and was able to cut it to six with 2:30 left but would not get any closer as OKU closed the game with a 10-3 run to clinch it.

Both teams shot very well in the first half but cooled off considerably in the second. Oklahoma Wesleyan shot 44% from the field but 50% from beyond the arc (14/28), three shy of the tournament record (17). Steve Briggs scored a game-high 33 points and now has 120 points in four games at the tournament. He made 6-of-11 three-pointers to give him 21 three-pointers for the tournament, one shy of the tournament record. McNeil finished with 21 points and nine rebounds, making 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. Sadiel Rojas added 12 points and nine boards.

After shooting 55% in the first half, Black Hills State shot just 26% in the second half, going 2-of-14 from beyond the arc. They shot 40% for the game. Luke Enos and Clay Pottorff scored 16 points each to lead the Yellow Jackets. Will Johnson and Cain Atkinson added 10 points each. Black Hills State closes the season with a 30-5 record.

Oklahoma Wesleyan improves to 34-2 on the season and advances to its first ever championship game. They will play either unseeded College of the Ozarks (25-10) Tuesday night at 8:50 p.m. Central. Ozarks defeated number two Bethel, IN, 73-64 in the other semifinal. The championship will be televised live on CBS College Sports.

The women’s championship game in Sioux City, IA will feature top ranked Morningside, IA (37-0) against Hastings, NE (27-7) at 7:00 p.m. Central Tuesday. Morningside defeated Northwestern, IA, 63-58 and Hastings, coached by former Dakota State women’s coach Jeff Dittman, knocked off College of the Ozarks, MO, 75-60. The championship will be televised live on CBS College Sports.

March 14, 2009

(Point Lookout, MO) -- Black Hill State earned its first ever trip to the Final Four as they hung on to defeat unseeded Grace (Ind.), 77-73 at the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament in Point Lookout, MO. In the process, the fifth seeded Yellow Jackets won their 15th straight game and have not lost since Jan. 17.

After Grace held the early advantage at 10-6, Black Hill State went on a 19-5 run to open up a 25-15 lead. Grace responded with an 8-4 run of its own to cut it to six at 29-23, but Black Hills State closed the half with a 12-2 over the final five minutes to take a commanding 41-25 halftime lead. Aaron Sutton led BHSU with 10 first half points and the Yellow Jackets held Grace to just 26% from the field in the first half.

Black Hills State threatened to blow the game open in the early stages of the second half as they led by as much as 17. Grace mounted a furious comeback and after a basket by Lancers forward Derek Johnson, the lead was down to two at 51-49 with 10 minutes left. Moments later, Grace came all the way back to tie it at 62 before Black Hills State hit three straight three-pointers, two by guard Cain Atkinson, to cap a decisive 9-2 run which clinched the win for the Yellow Jackets.

Atkinson scored 14 of his team-high 15 points in the second half, which included a trio of three-pointers. Luke Enos scored 13 points while Aaron Sutton chipped in 12. Black Hills State shot 48% for the game and went 11-for-25 from the three-point line.

Grace was led by Derek Johnson with 17 points and six rebounds. Eric Gaff closes his brilliant career with 14 points and seven boards, breaking his string of two straight double-doubles.

Black Hills State, now 30-4 on the season, advances to their first semifinal on Monday, March 16 where they will play #1 Oklahoma Wesleyan at 6:00 p.m Central.

March 14, 2009

(Sioux City, IA) -- The top ranked team in the country ended Black Hills State's season, has the Yellow Jackets fell to Morningside, IA, 72-56 in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament in Sioux City, IA.

The Mustangs used a strong first half to build a 39-20 edge at the break and were never challenged in the second half as they improved to 36-0 on the season. Morningside had four players in double figures, led by Dani Glass and Laura Nelson with 18 apiece. Autumn Bartel and Brittany Williamson scored 14 and 13 points respectively.

Katelynn Lamb was the lone Yellow Jacket in double digits with 10 points. Tiffany Thomas chipped in nine points and six rebounds off the bench and Alana Dykhouse added eight points and a team high seven rebounds. The Yellow Jackets wrap up the season with a 26-8 record.

March 14, 2009

(Sioux City, IA) -- Dickinson State saw their season come to an end with a 69-56 loss to College of the Ozarks, MO in the quarterfinal round of the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament in Sioux City, IA.

The Blue Hawks got off to a quick start, building the lead to 30-20 in the final minutes of the first half, but the Bobcats went on a 25-to-6 run that spanned the end of the first half into the first minutes of the second half to take a 45-36 lead. The Blue Hawks got the deficit down to nine, but could get no closer as Ozarks moves into the Final Four on Monday.

The Bobcats had a solid one-two punch in Lindsy Murray and Kayli Combs. Murray had a game high 23 points and Combs came off the punch to score 22. Melissa Duval also hit double figures off the Ozarks' bench with 11.

Kelsey Boedeker led Dickinson State with 17 points before fouling out late in the contest. DAC MVP Kia Herbel posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. DAC Most Valuable Senior Ashley Emmons ended her career with nine points and a pair of assists.

The Blue Hawks, who won the regular season conference title and the conference tournament, end their season at 26-7.

March 13, 2009

(Sioux City, IA) -- Black Hills State scored six unanswered points in the final two minutes of the second half en route to a 59-56 victory over Kansas Wesleyan University in the second round of the 2009 NAIA Division II National Basketball Tournament in Sioux City, Iowa.

Kansas Wesleyan led 54-53 with 1:46 remaining when the Yellow Jackets rattled off six straight points. Keely Krolikowski and Katelynn Lamb hit field goals and Tiffany Thomas connected on a pair of free throws to lift the Jackets to a 59-54 lead.

Black Hills State tightened their defense in the closing moments, only allowing Kansas Wesleyan an uncontested lay up with time dwindling down.

The Jackets were led offensively by Lamb with 17 points while Krolikowski added 10 points and three assists off the bench. Kansas Wesleyan was led by Jennie Vopat with 17 points as LaCole Wilkinson chipped in with 12 points.

The victory moves Black Hills State (26-7) into the round of eight to take on top ranked Morningside, IA (35-0) at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 14 with a spot in the final four on the line.

March 13, 2009

(Sioux City, IA) -- The Dickinson State Blue Hawks fought off a frantic comeback attempt by Concordia, OR in the second round of the Division II NAIA National Women’s Basketball Tournament in Sioux City, IA. The Cavaliers came back from 21 points down near the mid-point of the second half, making it a one point game, but the comeback fell short 58-55, allowing Dickinson State to advance to the quarterfinal round of the tournament for the second time in school history.

Dickinson State used fifty percent shooting in the first half to forge a 42-27 halftime lead and used a stingy defense in the first ten minutes of the second half to lead by as many as 52-31. The Cavaliers went from the 19:06 mark to the 10:47 mark without scoring a point. A pair of Rachel Bristow free throws ended the drought and the Cavalier comeback began. 

Concordia cut the Blue Hawk lead down to 56-53 with 00:55 left and a pair of Danielle Clauson free throws made it 56-55. Dickinson State was able to push the lead to 58-55 on two Kelly Pankratz free throws with 00:09 left and a three-pointer by Maryam Razavi was short as time expired.

Dickinson State led from wire to wire in the second round match-up of conference champions. The Blue Hawks made 17-51 shots from the floor and converted 19-31 free throws. Concordia was 18-63 from the floor and 16-23 on free throws in the loss. 

Kia Herbel led the winners with 13 points and 15 rebounds while Kelsey Boedeker added 11. Concordia, the Cascade Conference champion, was paced by Danielle Clauson with 23 points and 14 rebounds and Angela Gimeno had 10 points before fouling out in 21 minutes of play.

Dickinson State (26-6) will face College of the Ozarks, MO (28-5) on Saturday, March 14 in the quarterfinal round of the tournament at 3:00 p.m Central.

March 13, 2009

(Point Lookout, MO) –Black Hills State won their 14th straight game as they knock off #12 Morningside (Iowa), 84-73. The Yellow Jackets advance to the Elite Eight for the third time in their history but first since the 1999 season. The 18th annual event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of the College of the Ozarks.

The Yellow Jackets, who have not lost since January 17 (Chadron State, 64-42), led from the start as they began the game with a 6-0 run. Leading by six, BHSU went on a 9-2 run in which they held the Mustangs scoreless for over four minutes. Black Hills State pushed the lead to as much as 18 (42-24) before Morningside scored seven straight points near the end of the half to trail 44-31 at intermission. The Mustangs struggled from the perimeter, making just 1-of-11 from the three-point line.

Black Hills State continued to lead by double-digits until Morningside converted three consecutive three-point plays to put the score at 64-58. Seth Atkins hit a jumper in the lane to cap an 11-1 run that put Morningside down three (65-62) with five minutes to go. Black Hills State answered back as Luke Enos netted 19 of his game-high 26 points in the second half to lead the Yellow Jackets to victory.

Enos also pulled down 13 rebounds for the double-double. Clay Pottorff totaled 19 points and Clay Atkinson added 11 for Black Hills State. The Yellow Jackets controlled the glass, 47-39, and shot 43% for the game.

Morningside was led by Eddie Marrs and Seth Atkins with 21 and 19 points, respectively. After struggling from the perimeter in the first half, Morningside shot 57% in the second half from beyond the arc. They shot 40% for the game. The Mustangs end the season with a 24-8 record.

Black Hills State, now 29-4 on the season, will play at 3:00 p.m. Central in the quarterfinals on Saturday, March 14 against Grace, IN (22-10).

March 12, 2009

(Sioux City, IA) -- Jamestown College saw their season come to an end with a 64-54 loss to Huntington, IN in first round action of the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament in Sioux City, IA.

The Jimmies fell behind 35-27 at half and got no closer than six points in the second half as their season ends with a 20-10 record. Heidi Feichtner led the Jimmies with 11 points and eight rebounds and Ali Edwards added ten points and eight boards.

Huntington was led by Lauren Davenport with 19 points and Jenna Donaldson with 16.

March 12, 2009

(Sioux City, IA) -- Dickinson State used a strong start to defeat Ohio Dominican, 77-44, in opening round play of the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament in Sioux City, IA.

Kelsey Boedeker scored 17 points in the opening half of the contest as the Blue Hawks built the lead to 35-18 at the break. The Lady Hawks scored the first eight points of the second half and held ODC to just 29 percent shooting from the field in the game. DSU shot 52 percent from the field and out rebounded the Panthers 42-28 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

DAC MVP Kia Herbel led all players with 22 points and nine rebounds. Boedeker added 20 points and seven assists and Ashley Emmons chipped in five steals and three assists as the DAC champions improved to 25-6 on the season.

Jordan Smithberger led Ohio Dominican with eight points.

Dickinson State will play the winner of Concordia, OR and Iowa Wesleyan at 1:45 Central Friday in the second round of the tourney.

March 12, 2009

(Point Lookout, MO) -- Black Hills State answered a late game charge to post a 62-58 win over Cal State-East Bay in the opening round of the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament in Point Lookout, MO.

The Yellow Jackets held the Pioneers to just six field goals in 33 attempts in the first half to build the lead to 30-17. The Jackets lead ballooned to 33-17 to start the second stanza, but CSEB went on a 24-3 run to take a lead of 41-36 with over twelve minutes left in the game. BHSU went on a 9-2 run to reclaim the lead. The Pioneers tied the score twice before the Yellow Jackets scored six of the final eight points to move into the round of 16.

Cain Atkinson led BHSU with 21 points and DAC MVP Luke Enos added 14 points. Will John Johnson had a game high 14 rebounds as the Yellow Jackets picked up their 27th win against four losses on the season.

Tauran Moore was the lone Pioneer in double-figures with a game high 31 points.

Black Hills State will play Morningside, IA (23-7) at Noon Friday in the second round of the tournament.

March 11, 2009

(Sioux City, IA) -- Black Hills State road a strong performance from their bench for a 66-58 win over Southern Oregon in opening round play of the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament in Sioux City, IA.

The Yellow Jackets' bench accounted for 47 of their 66 points in winning their 25th game of the season. Freshman reserve guard Tiffany Thomas led all scorers with 13 points and seven rebounds. Kristi Ryan added 12 points and seven boards, Keely Krolikowski chipped in 11 points and Savannah Dederick scored eight points off the Hills' bench. Brittany Fuhrman was the lone starter to score in double figures with 10.

Rhiannon Dickison was the lone Raiders' player in double figures with 12 points.

Black Hills State (25-7) advances into the second round at 8:45 PM Central Friday against Kansas Wesleyan (27-5), who defeated Aquinas, MI, 61-53.

Dickinson State and Jamestown College play their opening round games on Thursday. The Blue Hawks (24-6) face Ohio Dominican (19-11) at 12:00 PM, while the Jimmies (20-9) take on Huntington, IN (24-6) at 3:30 PM.

The Black Hills State men (27-4) open their national tournament in Point Lookout, MO at 10:15 AM Thursday against Cal State-East Bay (19-7).

March 10, 2009

(Rapid City, SD) -- The South Dakota School of Mines recently announced the hiring of new Lady Hardrocker volleyball coach Tiffany Mastin, who joins the SD Mines athletic department after a two-year stint in St. Joseph, Mo., at NCAA Div. II Missouri Western State University.

“I’ve always wanted to coach kids that were at a very high level academically minded as well as athletes that have great character,” Mastin said. “And that already goes with the philosophy of the kids that are here. They have a high academic standard and already have a great work ethic.”

Before taking the helm in Missouri, Mastin spent two years at Oakland City University in Southern Indiana as head coach where she took her volleyball team to the NCCAA National Tournament. She also received Region Coach of the Year in 2006 for her efforts with the Lady Oaks volleyball team.

“I’ve had some success playing and I’ve had some success coaching,” the new Hardrocker coach added.

Mastin finished high school in Rockford, Ohio, and went on to play collegian volleyball at Taylor University in Indiana --- a NAIA program where Mastin helped guide her team to a 41-12 finish as a freshman.

With all of her volleyball experience as a coach and a player, Mastin recognizes the requirements to be an athlete as well as a student at SDSM&T and is fully prepared to continue to bring the highest quality of person to the school.

“It’s kind of a different recruiting base. It’s going to be a little bit of a challenge,” Mastin said. “I try to not only make them a well-rounded athlete, but also a well-rounded person and at a place like this you can actually do that.”

Mastin wants to instill a winning tradition into her team and get them to enjoy the game and play hard. It’s that kind of team, Mastin says, that has the stability to get to the top.

“With the right team, (the style of play) would be a very fast tempo,” Mastin added. “It would be phenomenal at this level, but it is just going to take time to build that.”

Two years ago, the Hardrocker volleyball team reached the Dakota Athletic Conference championships and finished with an impressive 23-6 overall mark. The Hardrockers struggled a bit in 2008 but still managed some impressive highlights including a defeat of Dickinson State University – a feat not accomplished in over 12 years.

“They’ve had some good coaches here in the past and I will try to get (the program) to the level it needs to be at,” Mastin added.

As far as goals are concerned Mastin has her sights set on the very top and that’s getting the Hardrockers to a place they have not been in a number of years.

March 07, 2009

(Oklahoma City, OK) -- Dickinson State picked up four All Americans and one Honorable Mention All American and finished sixth as a team at the NAIA Wrestling Tournament in Oklahoma City.

Jake Kallestad placed second to earn All American honors in leading the Blue Hawks in the tournament. Stanton Schlecht at 165, Shane Bennett at 174 and Matt Michaelson at 197 finished sixth in their weight classes to earn All American recognition. Brett Owen earned Honorable Mention recognition with a seventh place finish at 184.

Lindenwood, MO crowned three individual champions and won the team title with 167 points. Southern Oregon finished second with 125.5 points followed by McKendree, IL with 123, Missouri Valley with 109.5 and Notre Dame, OH with 84. Dickinson State finished in sixth place with 73.5 points and Jamestown College placed 29th out of 32 teams with two points.

Dickinson State's Colt Goff was the lone DAC wrestler to earn NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors.

For complete results from the national tournament, go to the NAIA web-site.

March 07, 2009

(Johnson City, TN) -- Dickinson State's Ramon Miller and Black Hills State's Aubrey Baxter were multi-event national champions at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Johnson City, TN.

Miller captured the 200 meter and 400 meter titles and anchored the Blue Hawks' national championship 4x400 relay team. Miller's 22.5 points earned him the Men's Most Valuable Performer award, given to an athlete based on total points scored in national meet competition.

Azusa Pacific, CA won the men's team championship with 78.5 points with Dickinson State finishing as the runner-up with 55 points.

Baxter won the shot put and the weight throw, breaking her own meet record in the weight throw with a toss of 64' 11.25". Baxter's performance earned her the Women's Outstanding Performer of the Meet award.

Wayland Baptist edged Azusa Pacific for the women's national title, 68 to 67, the second consecutive year that Azusa Pacific has finished one point back of the national champions.

For a complete recap of the national meet, go to the NAIA web-site.

March 06, 2009

(Madison, SD) - Dakota State University announces the resignation of Wade Kooiman as the head men’s basketball coach. Kooiman has been with the university since 2003, four years as head coach and two as an assistant. 

“I have enjoyed my time working with the people at Dakota State University and in the Madison community,” said Kooiman. “I appreciate the opportunity to coach the great young men in the Men's Basketball program and look forward to other opportunities in the coaching profession.”

A search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

March 05. 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- The NAIA has announced the pairings for the Division II Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments to be held March 11-17.

Black Hills State, the lone representative from the Dakota Athletic Conference at the men's tourney in Point Lookout, MO, begins play on Thursday morning, March 12 at 10:15 Central Time. The Yellow Jackets (27-4), who are the fifth seed in the tournament, will face Cal State-East Bay (19-7). The complete tournament bracket is available on the NAIA web-site.

Dickinson State, Black Hills State and Jamestown College will travel to Sioux City, IA for the women's tournament. The Blue Hawks (24-6) are seeded second in their portion of the bracket and will face Ohio Dominican (19-11) at 12:00 Central Time on Thursday, March 12. The Yellow Jackets (24-7) are the three seed in their bracket and begin the tournament at 9:15 Central Time Wednesday evening, March 11 against Southern Oregon (25-6). The Jimmies (20-9) received a number five seeding in their bracket and begin tourney play Thursday afternoon, March 12 at 3:30 Central Time versus Huntington, IN (24-6). The complete tournament bracket is available on the NAIA web-site.

The first 30 games of each tournament are available on-line on a pay-per-view basis at WatchNAIA.com. The national championship games in both the men's and women's tournaments will be televised live on CBS College Sports Television.

March 04, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- The NAIA has announced the teams that will be competing at the NAIA Division II Basketball Tournaments.

Black Hills State will be the lone DAC team competing at the men's tournament in Point Lookout, MO on March 11-17. The Yellow Jackets received an automatic berth to the tourney with a 93-77 win over Minot State to capture the DAC tournament championship. BHSU is rated fifth in the final poll of the season and are making their seventh trip to the national tournament.

The DAC will have three representatives at the women's tourney in Sioux City, IA on March 11-17. Dickinson State received the automatic invite with a 67-64 win over Black Hills State in the DAC tourney title match-up. The Blue Hawks are rated fifth in the final poll and will make their third trek to the national championships. Black Hills State and Jamestown College received at-large invitations. The Yellow Jackets are ranked 11th in the poll and will make their sixth trip to the tournament. The Jimmies are rated 21st and will head to the national tourney for the second time.

The brackets for both tournaments will be released on Thursday, March 5.

March 02, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Black Hills State has three players on the All Dakota Athletic Conference Men's Basketball First Team, while two sophomores, two juniors and two seniors make up the All DAC Women's First Team.

Sophomores Luke Enos, Cain Atkinson and Will John Johnson from Black Hills State are joined on the first team by Dickinson State's Nate Lebsock and Aaron Patterson of Minot State.

Enos was also voted the league's Most Valuable Player. Brandon Smith of South Dakota Mines was picked as the Most Valuable Senior; Anton Coleman of Mayville State was selected Newcomer of the Year and Mister Carney from Minot State is the Defensive Player of the Year. Black Hills State's Paul Sather was chosen by his peers as the Coach of the Year after leading the Yellow Jackets to a 13-1 conference record in winning the league crown.

Four centers and two guards make up the women's first team. Kia Herbel of Dickinson State, Lashay Bagsby of Minot State, Abby Rittenhouse of Valley City State and Jamestown's Heidi Feichtner head up the honor squad. The four post players are joined by guards Katelynn Lamb and Brittany Fuhrman of Black Hills State. Due to a tie in the voting, six players were selected to the women's first team.

The conference coaches picked Herbel as the Most Valuable Player. Dickinson State's Ashley Emmons was chosen Most Valuable Senior and shared Defensive Player of the Year honors with Janna Schriber of Black Hills State. Jamestown's Mara Paulson was selected the Freshman of the Year. Dickinson State's Guy Fridley was voted by the league's coaches as the Coach of the Year after leading the Blue Hawks to a 12-2 conference mark and the league championship.

The complete list of all conference teams can be found on the All-Conference Men's Basketball page and the All-Conference Women's Basketball page of the DAC web-site.

March 01, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Dickinson State women and Black Hills State men added Dakota Athletic Conference basketball tournament championships to their regular season titles with wins in the tournament title games.

In a matchup of top ten nationally ranked teams, the seventh rated Blue Hawks and number ten ranked Yellow Jackets battled back and forth in the women's title game at DSU's Scott Gymnasium. The two teams traded the lead throughout the ball game with the Jackets taking a 37-34 lead into the halftime break. The teams continued the back and forth battle until the score was tied for the eleventh tie at 61-61 in the final moments of the contest. The Blue Hawks scored six of the final nine points to capture the tournament crown, 67-64.

Guards Ashley Emmons and Kelsey Boedeker led the Blue Hawks with 18 and 19 points, respectively. Kelly Pankratz scored nine points off the bench and Kia Herbel grabbed a game high 11 rebounds, but was held to just eight points, nearly half her season average.

Brittany Fuhrman hit three 3-point field goals in the second half and led Black Hills State with 17 points. Katelynn Lamb added 14 and Tiffany Thomas chipped in 11 of the Yellow Jacket bench.

Dickinson State receives the automatic berth to the NAIA Division II Tournament in Sioux City, IA on March 11-17. The Blue Hawks are now 24-6 on the season. Black Hills State dropped to 24-7 and will receive an at-large invite to the national tournament.

In the men's title game in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State jumped out to an early 14-2 lead, before Minot State rallied to take a brief lead late in the first half. The Yellow Jackets tied the score at 37 at halftime and then outscored the Beavers 56-40 in the second half to post the 93-77 victory.

Will John Johnson posted a double-double with 20 points and 16 rebounds in leading the Jackets to the win. Luke Enos had 18 points, Clay Pottorff added 17 and Cain Atkinson scored 12.

Aaron Patterson led the Minot State with 14 points and Ricky Martinez added 12 as the Beavers' season ends with a 20-11 record.

The Yellow Jackets earn the automatic berth to the NAIA Division II Tournament in Point Look, MO on March 11-17. The Jackets will head to the national tournament with a 27-4 record.

The NAIA will announce the pairings for the national tournaments on March 5.

February 27, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Regular season Dakota Athletic Conference champions Dickinson State and Black Hills State will try to add the conference tournament title to their resume on Sunday in the DAC Tournament championship games.

The Blue Hawks captured the DAC women’s regular season crown with a 12-2 mark. DSU will host regular season runner-up Black Hills State, 11-3 in conference play, in the tournament championship game at 4:00 on Sunday afternoon. 

The Blue Hawks opened the conference tournament with an 88-46 triumph over Mayville State and rallied from a 12 point halftime deficit to defeat Valley City State in the tournament semifinals, 67-64. The Yellow Jackets won their tourney opener 78-60 over South Dakota Mines and beat Jamestown College, 55-48, in the semifinals.

The women’s final will match a pair of top ten ranked teams in the latest NAIA Division II poll, released on Monday. The Blue Hawks (23-6) jumped five spots to number seven, while the Yellow Jackets (24-6) tumbled five positions to number ten in the national rankings. The two teams split their regular season matchups, each winning on their home court. DSU won at home, 71-57, on January 9, while BHSU returned the favor with a 77-73 triumph on February 7.

The Yellow Jacket men captured the conference crown with a 13-1 record, their only loss in conference play coming at the hands of second place Dickinson State, a 71-64 overtime setback in Dickinson on January 9. BHSU will be at home in the conference championship game at 2:00 Sunday against Minot State. MSU finished third in the conference standings with an 8-6 mark.

The Jackets began conference tourney play with a 100-82 victory over Dakota State and advanced to the title tilt with a 77-67 win over their rivals from South Dakota Mines. The Beavers played extra ball in both of their tournament games to advance to the conference title matchup. MSU topped Mayville State at home, 104-99 in overtime and went on the road to Dickinson State for an 84-73 overtime victory.

Black Hills State (26-4) is ranked fifth in the NAIA Division II poll that was released on Monday, while Minot State (20-10) received votes. The Yellow Jackets swept the regular season series with a 93-91 win at the MSU Dome on January 10 and an 85-83 victory at home on February 6.

The tournament champions receive automatic berths to the NAIA Division II National Tournaments, March 11-17. The women’s tournament is in Sioux City, IA and the men’s in Point Lookout, MO. The NAIA will announce at-large invitations and pairings for the tournaments on March 4-5.

February 27, 2009

(Madison, SD) – Dakota State University announces the hiring of Josh Anderson as their new Head Football Coach. Anderson replaces Tom Shea, who resigned in January.

Anderson is currently the head football coach and an instructor at Payson High School in Payson, AZ, where he took his team from a 4-6 record to 14-0 and a state championship. He has eleven years of coaching experience; five at the collegiate level and six as a high school head coach. His experience includes coaching both offense and defense.

“I am extremely excited about becoming the next head football coach at DSU. I look forward to putting a great staff together, building relationships with the current athletes, and getting up to speed with our recruits,” stated Anderson. “It is hard to leave a great job but knowing the people and the town of Madison, as well as their tremendous support for athletic programs makes the transition easier. My wife and I have been blessed to live in safe communities to help raise our children, and Madison is another wonderful town where we can do just that!”

DSU Athletic Director Gene Wockenfuss says Anderson’s energy level and strong work ethic will help him recruit the type of players needed to bring the football program to a championship level. 

“Trojan football fans are a loyal group, and Coach Anderson will work hard to earn their support,” stated Wockenfuss.

A graduate of North Dakota State University, Anderson also attended Dakota State University from 1994-1996. He is a 1994 graduate of Madison Central High School. His father, Mike, is the former athletic director for Madison Central.

February 19, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Black Hills State men and Dickinson State women will have homecourt advantage throughout the DAC basketball tournaments after the two teams wrapped up conference championships.

The Yellow Jackets (13-1 in the DAC/24-4 overall) will open men's tournament play at home against fourth seeded Dakota State (2-12/7-21) at 4:00 Sunday. Other first round matchups Sunday will have number four South Dakota Mines (7-7/18-10) hosting fifth seeded Valley City State (7-7/13-15) at 3:00; number seven Jamestown College (4-10/11-16) is on the road to face number two Dickinson State (9-5/16-12) at 4:00 and third seeded Minot State (8-6/18-10) will be at home to take on number six Mayville State (6-8/11-17) at 3:00.

The Blue Hawks (12-2/21-6) begin the women's post-season at home versus number eight Mayville State (1-13/3-22) at 2:00 on Sunday. The remaining first round contests on Sunday have number five South Dakota Mines (6-8/10-18) on the road to number four Valley City State (8-6/16-12) at 3:00; number two Black Hills State will host number seven Dakota State (3-11/8-20) at 2:00 and third seed Jamestown College (9-5/19-8) is at home to face number six Minot State (6-8/15-13) at 7:30.

The semifinals will take place on Wednesday with the championship games scheduled for Sunday, March 1 at the home sites of the higher seeds. The conference tournament champions receive an automatic berth to the NAIA Division II National Tournaments, March 11-17. The men's national tournament will be played in Point Lookout, MO with the women's national championships taking place in Sioux City, IA.

February 15, 2009

(Rapid City, SD) -- Hugh Welsh, athletic director for the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, will step down from the AD position effective June 21, 2009 in order for the campus to hire a full-time AD.

Welsh joined the School of Mines in 1986 after a very successful eight-year coaching stint at Devils Lake Region Community College in North Dakota, where his teams won 194 games in eight seasons.

The son of two Ph.D. recipients, Welsh appreciated strenuous academics, and wanted to coach at a university with high standards - not an easy task when recruiting athletes who can succeed academically in the School of Mines' rigorous programs while balancing athletic demands. Welsh enjoyed, and appreciated, that challenge.

"We have true student athletes here. Every one of them is bound by the same requirements as their peers. I've always thought that this is one of the neatest things about the School of Mines - students are all doing the same thing," Welsh said. "There's nothing easy about what they are doing. You just don't make it here if you are not focused on academics."

Welsh served as head coach of the Hardrocker men's basketball program for 19 seasons (1986-2005). During his tenure as head coach, he compiled a 268-273 won-loss record, took the 1997 team to a NAIA National tournament and has two conference championship titles to his credit.

Welsh is the second longest-tenured coach in the men's basketball program (behind Bob Hunt, who coached the Hardrockers for 21 years). He has more wins than any men's coach in school history, and was named the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year on two occasions and also Athletic Director of the Year on two others. His career coaching record is 545 wins and 380 losses.

During his career at the School of Mines, the athletics program has grown with the reinstallation of the men's and women's golf programs in 2001. He has also presided over a dramatic overhaul in athletic facilities, with the 2006 installation of high-quality, state-of-the-art artificial turf at O'Harra Stadium's Dunham Field. Other improvements include the addition of a multi-media scoreboard; renovated King Center varsity locker rooms for the men's basketball, women's basketball and women's volleyball teams; and a 4,200-square-foot Dunham Field locker room for the football team. Welsh also oversaw the construction of a new gym floor in Goodell Gymnasium.

These improvements benefit not only the School of Mines, but the more than 50,000 fans from the Rapid City community and beyond who attend football and basketball games, track and field events, soccer and volleyball matches, and other events at the O'Harra Stadium and the King Center each year.

"Hugh Welsh has been a driving force in Hardrocker athletics for more than two decades," School of Mines President Robert A. Wharton, Ph.D., said. "His service as athletic director, coach, professor of physical education and mentor to countless athletes and coaches has left its mark on the School of Mines, and will always be appreciated."

The athletic program has always been considered a major extracurricular activity on the School of Mines campus. Collegiate athletic programs are an important part of student life and foster well-rounded development for students, encouraging teambuilding, personal growth and effective time-management and decision-making skills.

A national search will commence shortly with the goal of having a new, full-time athletic director joining the School of Mines before the beginning of the 2009-10 academic year. A recent gift to the Hardrock Club will allow the School of Mines to accomplish this goal.

The search committee involves faculty, administration, student athletes and athletic department personnel. The committee is chaired by Dr. Carter Kerk, industrial engineering professor and faculty athletic representative.

"I have really enjoyed my years at the School of Mines," Welsh said. "Over the years, I've transitioned from basketball coach to athletic director, and now it's time for another transition. I look forward to watching the continued success of the Hardrockers from a different perspective."

February 02, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Jamestown College, who advanced to the NAIA World Series in 2008, is the preseason favorite in the 2009 Dakota Athletic Conference Baseball Coaches’ Poll. 

The Jimmies (11-9 DAC/32-10 overall in 2008) received four first place votes to top the balloting. Defending regular season DAC champion Mayville State (12-6/24-24) picked up the final two first place votes to finish second. Dickinson State (9-8/25-26) placed third, Dakota State (10-7/24-17) fourth, Minot State (6-12/11-27) fifth and Valley City State (7-13/15-25) sixth in the preseason poll. 

Jamestown was rated number 23 in the NAIA Preseason Baseball Poll that was released in November. Dickinson State was the only other DAC team to receive votes in the preseason national ratings. 

The first games of the season are scheduled for this Thursday and the conference season begins on March 28.

February 02, 2009

(Jamestown, ND) -- Jamestown College placed fourth with one national champion and six All-Americans at the Women’s College Wrestling Association National Championships, held on the campus of Missouri Valley College. 

Oklahoma City won the team title with 117 points, followed by Cumberlands, KY with 86; Simon Fraser, BC with 73; Jamestown with 46 and Menlo, CA rounding out the top five with 43. 

Tani Ader won the Jimmies’ first women’s wrestling national championship at 130 pounds. Other Jimmie All-Americans were Tiffany Sluik, third at 112; Chaelyn Tan, sixth at 130; Rachael Paaluhi, fourth at 138; Pi’ikea Kalalau, fifth at 147 and Amanda Athon, third at 209.

February 02, 2009

(Rapid City, SD) -- South Dakota Mines will have “Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night” when the Hardrockers’ men’s and women’s basketball teams host Dickinson State on Friday. The Hardrockers will wear pink warm-up shirts to bring attention to the fight against breast cancer and a collection will be taken with proceeds going to the “V Foundation Kay Yow WBCA Cancer Fund.”

January 29, 2009

(Jamestown, ND) -- Jamestown College Athletic Director Lawrie Paulson announces the hiring of Jon Hegerle as head volleyball coach and director of the Foss Wellness Center. He will begin his duties Feb. 16.

Hegerle comes to Jamestown from Marshall, MN, where he was the top assistant volleyball coach and social studies teacher at Marshall High School since 2003. Marshall posted a volleyball record of 166-31 and reached the state tournament each year during Hegerle’s six years on the coaching staff, including runner-up in 2008 and state champion in 2007. He was named Section 3A and State Class AA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008.

“I feel honored to have been offered this position with Jamestown College,” Hegerle says. “After meeting with the team, search committee, and president, it was clear to me it’s not just a college, it’s a community. I’m excited to get there and get started.”

A 19-year member of the Midwest Volleyball Instructors staff, Hegerle has directed and coached camps across the upper Midwest. He has also coached at Apple Valley, Lakeville North and Eastview High Schools, all in Minnesota. Before coaching, he was a player on the Association of Volleyball Professionals for three seasons. He holds a degree in sociology from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN and a degree in education from Minnesota State University-Moorhead.

“Jon’s ability to coach volleyball is unquestioned,” Paulson says. “But it is his commitment to the well-being of his players that convinced me he is the person we wanted leading our volleyball team. We are happy to have Jon and his family become part of our campus and community.”

Hegerle has also led the Marshall Tiger Junior Olympic Volleyball program for the past five years, as well as the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes group.

Hegerle and his wife, Sara, have three daughters.

The Jimmies finished the 2008 season 23-9 overall and 13-1 in the Dakota Athletic Conference and earned a share of the conference title.

January 28, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Three time defending Dakota Athletic Conference champion Dickinson State is ranked number five in the NAIA Preseason Softball Poll.

The Blue Hawks (16-4 DAC/39-10 overall in 2008) received 550 votes to capture the number five preseason rating. Defending national champion Lubbock Christian, TX received 20 first place votes to top the poll, Point Loma Nazarene, CA received the other three first place votes to finish second with California Baptist ranked third and St. Gregory's OK fourth. Minot State was the only other DAC team to receive votes.

Dickinson State begins their season March 12-20 in Tucson, AZ, where they will face number one Lubbock Christian and number three California Baptist among the fifteen contests during their spring break trip.

The complete poll can be found on the NAIA web-site.

January 26, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Defending champion Dickinson State is the favorite in the 2009 Dakota Athletic Conference Softball Coaches’ Poll. 

The Blue Hawks (39-10 overall/16-4 DAC in 2008) picked up six first place votes to top the balloting. Minot State (29-13/14-6) received a first place vote to finish second. Valley City State (25-26/7-16) is third, Black Hills State (29-13/9-10) fourth, Jamestown College (21-20/10-12) fifth, Dakota State (16-30/6-12) sixth and Mayville State (19-30/10-12) seventh. 

The poll was conducted by the Dakota Athletic Conference and coaches could not vote for their own teams. 

The first games of the season are scheduled for February 27 with the conference season opening on March 28. The NAIA Preseason Softball Poll will be released on Tuesday, January 27.

January 23, 2009

(Madison, SD) -- Dakota State University Head Volleyball Coach Cynthia Henning has resigned her position. 

Henning has been at DSU since 2000. She has accepted a position as an assistant volleyball coach at South Dakota State University.

The University will conduct a national search to fill the head volleyball position according to DSU Athletic Director Gene Wockenfuss. “Coach Henning’s teams have rewritten almost every Trojan Volleyball record and we wish her well in her new endeavor,” said Wockenfuss. 

Henning lead the Trojan Volleyball team to the NAIA National Region quarterfinals in 2003 and the semifinals in 2004. Prior to coming to DSU Henning was the head volleyball coach at Sioux Falls Washington High School. 

January 22, 2009

(Dickinson, ND) -- Twelve players from the Dakota Athletic Conference were selected for the Victory Sports Network/College Fanz All American Football Teams. The DAC placed three players on the First Team, two on the Second Team and seven others received Honorable Mention recognition.

The First Team honorees are Valley City State senior wide receiver Chauncey Calhoun; Minot State senior running back Nick Banks and Dickinson State senior defensive back Riley McPeters. Second Team selections from the DAC are freshman kick returner Derion Williams of Dickinson State and sophomore punt return specialist Dustin Menely from South Dakota Mines.

Honorable Mention recognition went to offensive linemen Josh Breske of Black Hills State and Brian Rohles and Bart Archdekin from Minot State; running back Tanner Ehrlich of Black Hills State; defensive lineman Wacey Coleman of Black Hills State; linebacker Mike Keyser from Dickinson State and placekicker Nate Nygard of Jamestown College.

Pat Ross of Lindenwood, MO was named the Head Coach of the Year and Sioux Falls, SD defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell was honored as Assistant Coach of the Year. Ohio Dominican quarterback Chris Reisert was chosen Offensive Player of the Year and Carroll, MT linebacker Owen Koeppen was selected Defensive Player of the Year.

A complete list of the All American Teams and Honorable Mention recipients can be found on the VSN/College Fanz web-site.

January 20, 2008

(Valley City, ND) -- Valley City State senior Chauncey Calhoun will play in the annual Texas versus The Nation All-Star football game on Saturday, January 31st. The game is set for a 1:00pm kickoff and will be played at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas and shown on live TV CBS College Sports. 

Calhoun is listed as a defensive back and return specialist on the Texas roster. He is the only NAIA player on either of the Division I heavily dominated rosters.

Calhoun, originally from Phoenix, AZ, played four years for the Vikings. He played mostly defensive back his first three seasons before moving to wide receiver his senior season.

Calhoun played a prominent role in a Vikings team that set the Dakota Athletic Conference season records for Total Offense at 472.3 yards per game and Passing Yards at 312.1 yards per game. Calhoun also set the DAC record for Scoring at 11.0 points per game and finished the season in the top four in the NAIA in receptions per game, yards receiving per game, and touchdowns per game.

You can check out the rosters and other Texas vs. The Nation game information on their website at http://texasvsthenation.cstv.com/

January 16, 2009

(Minot, ND) -- Minot State University hosted a “Coaches vs. Cancer” night at the MSU Dome on Thursday when the women’s and men’s basketball teams played host to Jamestown College. The MSU Athletic department teamed up with the MSU Student Association in promoting breast cancer awareness and the fight against cancer. 

The athletic department provided both home and visiting teams with pink shooting shirts while the coaching staff’s all wore pink attire in an effort to promote the night. MSU donated $1.00 from each game program that was sold and also asked for donations at the door. The MSU Student association had several different promotions for breast cancer awareness, including selling several “pink” items which included everything from wristbands to shirts that stated “tough enough to wear pink”. The evening was a success as MSU raised $350.00 to be donated to American Cancer Society.

“We are extremely pleased with the support we received from our Coaches vs. Cancer night," said MSU Athletic Director Rick Hedberg. "We are happy to be able to provide some support for cancer research in our region. A thank you goes out to all those that participated and assisted in the campaign. We had wonderful participation from the MSU students and that was nice to see.”

January 14, 2009

(Dallas, TX) - B2 Networks has announced the launching of 43 channels dedicated to collegiate athletics on B2CableTV.com, a free 24-hour cable-style network dedicated to broadcasting sports and entertainment to viewers worldwide. Just as digital cable offers the choice of multiple channels on home television, the technological innovation of B2CableTV.com will allow fans and consumers to watch hundreds of TV style programming channels on the internet.

NCAA and NAIA athletics are featured among the 43 new channels available immediately at www.B2CableTV.com . Viewers can select type of sport, specific conference or NCAA division. Sports featured among the new channels include football, basketball, hockey, volleyball, soccer and many other collegiate athletic contests all available for viewing free of charge on the new broadband cable-style network. Every conference partnering with B2 Networks will have the option to create their own individual channel to broadcast games, show features and interviews from their university members and promote upcoming events.

"B2 Networks is proud to debut all our new college channels to the existing lineup on B2CableTV," said Greg P. Bell, B2 Networks Founder and CEO. "The technology resulting in B2CableTV is our latest innovation in broadband broadcasting and will allow viewers to watch TV style programming from each of our partners. Consumers will now be able to access and watch their favorite and unique Sports and Entertainment programming anywhere in the world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on B2CableTV."

Programming of college athletics will feature the biggest games from the previous week as well as live special events and great moments from B2 partner schools and conferences. All events can be viewed exactly as previously broadcast on B2 Networks and will be chosen for the new network by Conference Commissioners, Athletic Directors and Sports Information Departments.

To access programming visit www.B2CableTV.com and click the tab labeled for the specific sport or team. Viewers will need a high-speed Internet connection and a current version of Microsoft Windows Media Player to watch the Network. All events are free of cost and available 24 hours a day.

"The addition of all the new collegiate programming would not be possible without the efforts from our NCAA and NAIA partners," said Bruce LeVine, B2 Networks Senior Vice President.  "With the current lineup, fans can now view their own favorite teams and schools plus view content from around the country at their convenience at no cost to the consumer."

B2 currently broadcasts DAC football, volleyball and men's and women's basketball on-line on a pay-per-view basis.

January 13, 2009

(Minot, ND) -- On Thursday evening, January. 15, the Minot State University community will show their support in eradicating breast cancer with a “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” event. The event will take place during the women’s and men’s basketball games against Jamestown College, starting with the women’s game at 5:30 p.m.

“The ‘Tough Enough to Wear Pink’ event is a great way to make MSU students aware about breast cancer and at the same time get them involved in a nationwide campaign,” said Amber Jensen, student coordinator. “We appreciate that the athletic department is allowing us to hold this event during their activities.”

The athletic department is hosting the event in conjunction with the Student Activities Committee. The event will raise awareness about the disease and provide opportunities to celebrate those who have won the battle against breast cancer. The Student Activities Committee is under the Student Government Association, MSU’s student governing body. The committee puts on activities for students and provides fun entertainment throughout the year.

Throughout the night, there will be numerous activities for MSU students, along with a booth set up by Curves of Minot. Curves will showcase Livaid, the latest product which helps with breast self examinations; Livaid will be available for purchase. There will be lots of drawings and prizes given away for students and fans. One lucky contestant, who is sitting in the “lucky seat,” will win $150 if they are wearing MSU apparel 

In conjunction with “Tough Enough to Wear Pink,” the MSU basketball coaches are promoting a “Coaches vs. Cancer Night,” where both the Beaver and Jimmies teams will wear pink.

The teams’ coaches will be wearing pink as well. Donation buckets will be placed at each of the gate entrances. 

The money raised during the evening will go entirely to the American Cancer Society. Prior to the event, “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” T-shirts can be purchased in the Student Government Association office (Student Center, second floor) or from the Minot Y’s Men’s Rodeo the night of the game, if still in stock.

For more information on the event, contact Jensen at 701-848-6158 or amber.jensen@my.minotstateu.edu or visit the event’s Web site at www.msupink.com.

January 12, 2009

(Madison, SD) -- Dakota State University head football coach Tom Shea has resigned his position effective January 17, 2009. Shea has been the head football coach at DSU for two seasons with a 6-13 record. He has accepted a position as head football coach at Upper Iowa University.

The University will immediately begin a national search to fill the head football coach position according to DSU Athletic Director Gene Wockenfuss.

“Coach Shea laid the groundwork for connecting with our football alumni and made positive steps for our program," said Wockenfuss. "All of us at DSU and the athletic department wish him well in this new endeavor."

Shea was at Upper Iowa before coming to DSU.

December 30, 2008

(Jamestown, ND) -- Jamestown College athletic director Lawrie Paulson announces Phillp Bohn has been named head men’s and women’s soccer coach. He will begin his duties in January.

Bohn comes to Jamestown from Wesleyan College, where he was head soccer coach for the last two seasons at the women’s college located in Macon, Ga.

“Jamestown seems like a good fit based on what the school means academically, the opportunity to coach both men and women, and the opportunity for me to move closer to home,” says Bohn, a Minneapolis native.

Bohn is a graduate of St. Cloud State University with a degree in communications. Prior to Wesleyan, he coached for seven years at Mound Westonka High School in the Minneapolis area, and he has coached youth club soccer in both Minneapolis and Macon.

“Phillip will bring a great deal of energy and expertise to the soccer programs,” Paulson says. “His teams have a history of achieving on the field and in the classroom, which is important at Jamestown College.”

December 22, 2008

(Spearfish, SD) -- Black Hills State offensive coordinator Jay Long will take over as head coach of the Yellow Jackets’ football team.

Long was an all-state offensive lineman and a state runner-up in wrestling at Sturgis High School. He played college football at Chadron State, NE while earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health. At Chadron, he was also a national qualifier as a wrestler.

Prior to accepting the assistant coaching position at BHSU, Long served as assistant football and strength coach at Wayne State College in Nebraska. While at Wayne State, he earned his master’s degree in sports management and coached the defensive line.

December 19, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Dakota Athletic Conference is represented by 19 student-athletes on the 2008 NAIA Football Scholar-Athlete list.

The DAC NAIA Student-Athletes are Scott Sonne of Dakota State; Jon Brietbach, Carl Gauthier, Russell Lambert, Ryley McPeters and Shane Ziedler of conference champion Dickinson State; Michael Cudworth, Jared Eamon, Ryan Hunt, Austin Kastet, Andrew Klose, Ross Lindgren and Jay Tweed from Jamestown College; Kurt Bowen of Minot State; Matthew Deardoff, Andy Rogers and Chad Westendorf from South Dakota Mines and Jacob Fylling and Trent Kosel from Valley City State.

The complete list of the 2008 NAIA Football Scholar-Athletes is available on the NAIA web-site.

December 18, 2008

(Valley City, ND) -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has selected Valley City State University as an NAIA Champions of Character Institution.

“We are proud to be selected again this year," Valley City State University Champions of Character representative Gregg Horner stated. "We are fortunate to have coaches, faculty, staff and student-athletes who are committed to VCSU and Valley City.”

“This selection solidifies our reputation as a department that is ingrained into the overall institutional mission,” said B.J. Pumroy, VCSU Athletic Director. “I am proud of our coaching staff and the type of student-athletes that they recruit to our campus and community.”

The Champions of Character program is designed to instill an understanding of character values in sport and provide practical tools for student-athletes, coaches and parents to use in modeling exemplary character traits.

Launched by the NAIA in 2000, the Champions of Character program addresses character issues more comprehensively than any other national program for youth. The program currently reaches hundreds of thousands of students on nearly 300 college and university campuses in North America and extends into their surrounding communities.

December 15, 2008

(Waco, TX) -- Three players from the Dakota Athletic Conference were chosen to the American Football Coaches' Association NAIA All America Team. Chauncey Calhoun of Valley City State, Nick Banks of Minot State and Ryley McPeters of Dickinson State represent the conference on the post-season squad.

Calhoun, a senior wide receiver from Glendale, AZ, was the NAIA's second leading receiver with an average of 113.7 yards per game. He ended the season with 76 receptions for 1137 yards and 14 touchdowns and carried the ball 38 times for 227 yards and four scores. Calhoun set the conference record for scoring at 11.0 points per game and was part of a Vikings' team that set conference marks for total offense (472.3 yards per game) and passing offense (312.1 yards per game).

Banks, a senior running back from San Diego, CA, ranked second in the NAIA in rushing with 143.8 yards per contest. For the season, he gained 1438 yards on 258 carries with 17 touchdowns and added 13 receptions for 79 yards. Banks led the DAC in rushing in both his junior and senior seasons and shared the DAC Most Valuable Player award as a junior and won the honor again as a senior.

McPeters, a senior defensive back from Upton, WY, led the NAIA in interceptions with 0.9 per game. He finished the season with 47 tackles and ten pass break-ups in helping the Blue Hawks to a 7-4 mark, the DAC championship and a trip to the NAIA playoffs.

The AFCA All America Team is selected by a committee made up of three head coaches from each of the AFCA's nine districts, one of whom serves as a district chairman with another head coach serving as chair of the committee. The district coaches are responsible for ranking the top players in their district prior to a conference call of the district chairmen and the committee chair to select the team. The complete All America team can be found on the AFCA web-site.

December 09, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- Dickinson State's Hank Biesiot has been named the NAIA Region 4 Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association. 

Biesiot led the Blue Hawks to the DAC championship and into the NAIA playoffs. DSU started the season 0-3, but rebounded with a seven game winning streak to capture the outright conference crown. During the streak, the Hawks defeated three ranked opponents to capture Biesiot's fifteenth conference championship and earn a thirteenth appearance in the NAIA post-season.

The other NAIA regional Coach of the Year honorees are John Bland of Cumberland, KY and Phil Jones of Shorter, GA in Region 1; Kevin Donley of St. Francis, IN in Region 2; Jed Stugart of MidAmerica Nazarene, KS in Region 3 and Mike Van Diest of Carroll College, MT in Region 5.

The AFCA chooses Coach of the Year winners in five regions in each of the five divisions of football. The regional honorees will be recognized at the AFCA Coach of the Year Dinner on January 13 during the AFCA Convention in Nashville, TN. The national Coach of the Year awards will be announced at the AFCA Convention. The regional winners are eligible for the national award.

December 08, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- One DAC volleyball player was named an NAIA All American, another received Honorable Mention recognition and 13 more were recognized as NAIA Student-Athletes.

Black Hills State's Kristen Engle, a junior blocker from Newcastle, WY, was selected as a 2nd Team NAIA All American and Jamestown College's Kayla Fee, a sophomore setter from Williston, ND, was named an Honorable Mention All American.

The DAC also had 13 players honored as NAIA Student-Athletes. The honorees are Mandy Brumfield, Kristen Engle, Kayla Haines and Annie Grimm from Black Hills State; Rachael Jensen, Vicki Kaul and Laura Lanoue from Dakota State; Alison Edwards, Chandra Groves, Kristi Lukens and Lauren Wieler from Jamestown College, and Suzy Paradine and Jill Lockie from Minot State.

Complete lists of the All American teams and Scholar-Athletes can be found on the NAIA web-site.

December 04, 2008

(Sioux City, IA) -- Black Hills State saw their season come to an end at the NAIA Volleyball Tournament in Sioux City, IA. The Yellow Jackets went 1-2 in pool play and did not qualify for the single elimination bracket portion of the tourney.

BHSU opened pool play on Tuesday with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-14) loss to top ranked Fresno Pacific, CA. The Yellow Jackets bounced back on Wednesday with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-21) triumph over #12 Morningside, IA and wrapped up pool play with a hard fought 3-2 (25-23, 20-25, 23-25, 25-18, 15-14) setback to Point Loma Nazarene, CA.

The Yellow Jackets finish the season with a 26-8 record.

December 01, 2008

(Spearfish, SD) -- Black Hills State football coach John Scott has announced his resignation.

Since joining the Yellow Jacket football program six years ago, Scott has amassed an impressive 37-24 record. Scott has accepted a position with Universal Athletics as a school and team representative for western South Dakota.

“I am very proud to have been associated with the players and what we have accomplished in the past six seasons with Yellow Jacket football,” said Scott.

Jhett Albers, athletic director at BHSU, praised Scott for his accomplishments at BHSU. "Coach John Scott has done a tremendous job in building a successful football program at Black Hills State University,” Albers says. “We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.” 

Albers noted that BHSU will begin the process to fill the position immediately.

Scott’s tenure as coach will be remembered as one of the most successful football campaigns in nearly 30 years for the Yellow Jackets including two consecutive NAIA Playoff appearances and national rankings. Scott, who just finished his 28th year of coaching and 19th as a head coach, also has an impressive record has a high school coach. Before joining the BHSU staff, Scott coached at Silver Creek High School in Longmont, Colo., and at Campbell County High School in Gillette, Wyo., where he developed the Camels into a consistent state contender. Originally from Kemmerer, WY, Scott earned High School Coach of the Year honors in Wyoming in 1993, 1994, 1998 and 2000 and served as the Wyoming Shrine Bowl All-Star Head Football Coach in 1995 and 2000. Scott also earned a collegiate coaching award in 2007 when he was named Dakota Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

Scott played football for Sioux Falls College (1977-1981) earning All SDIC honors as a tight end and a degree in Health and Physical Education in 1982. He completed his Master’s of Science degree in Physical Education/Athletic Administration with a minor in Counseling from the University of North Dakota in 1988.

November 26. 2008

(Minot, ND) -- Minot State University, through its athletic department, has been named a “Champions of Character Institution” for the 2007-08 school year. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) office announced the designation recently in a press release. This is the seventh 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 fundraising for breast cancer research through the Coaches vs. Cancer program.

“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.”

November 26, 2008

(Minot, ND) -- The Minot State Student Athlete Advisory Committee is teaming up with the Domestic Violence Crisis Shelter to ensure that children and parents who have been a victim of or been witness to domestic violence will be able to receive presents this Christmas. An “Angel Tree” has been created by members of MSU’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee and will displayed at the end of the Beaver bench during games this holiday season. The Angel Tree will be unveiled when the MSU Men’s Basketball team takes on Montana-Western at the Dome Wednesday night, November 26. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 pm. The tree will also be displayed at MSU home basketball games on the following dates: December 1, 6, 12, 13 and 19.

Fans are encouraged to take an angel from the tree and return the angel with a present to a home game or to the MSU Athletic Department. Presents that are received will be delivered by MSU student-athletes to the Domestic Violence Crisis Shelter prior to Christmas. For more information on the project, please contact the MSU Athletic Department at (701) 858-3041.

November 17, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) – Conference co-champions Black Hills State and Jamestown College placed five players on the All Dakota Athletic Conference Volleyball First Team. The Yellow Jackets placed three players on the honor squad, the Jimmies fill two spots and South Dakota Mines has the sixth player on the team.

Black Hills State hitter Kristin Engle was voted the DAC Most Valuable Player. Kayla Fee of Jamestown College was selected the Setter of the Year. Jenny Hiykel of South Dakota Mines was voted Libero of the Year and Senior of the Year. Dickinson State hitter Jennifer Hartman was chosen the Freshman of the Year and Jhett Albers of Black Hills State and Chris Mahoney of Jamestown College shared Coach of the Year honors after their teams shared the DAC regular season championship.

The complete lists of the All DAC Volleyball Teams and Post-Season Awards can be found on the Volleyball All Conference Performers page of the DAC web-site.

November 16, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Dickinson State football team and Black Hills State volleyball teams will represent the Dakota Athletic Conference in the NAIA post-season.

The Blue Hawks will travel to Helena, MT to face defending national champion Carroll College at 12:00 on Saturday in the first round of the NAIA football playoffs. DSU, who qualified as the DAC champions, were ranked 14 in the final poll of the season with a 7-3 record. Carroll, who advanced to their ninth straight playoff appearance, qualified as the Frontier Conference champion and is ranked number one with an 11-0 record. This is the seventh time that the Blue Hawks and Fighting Saints will play in the post-season with Carroll holding a 5-1 edge in their six previous meetings. The complete playoff schedule is available on the NAIA web-site.

The Yellow Jackets qualified for their first NAIA volleyball tournament appearance with a 3-2 victory over Jamestown College in the DAC tournament championship match on Saturday. The top 12 teams in the national tournament receive byes with the remaining 24 teams playing opening round matches at on-campus sites on Saturday, November 22. BHSU will play host to William Penn, IA in the opening round on Saturday, November 22. Final pool assignments and schedule for the remainder of the tournament in Sioux City, IA on December 2-6 to be announced at 1:00 PM Central Time on Sunday, November 23. The complete opening round schedule is available on the NAIA web-site.

November 13, 2008

(Rapid City, SD) --- After two seasons as head coach of the South Dakota Mines volleyball program, Beth Honaker resigned her position.

“I’m moving to Seattle, Wash., to join my fiancé Jake Donnelly,” Honaker said.

Honaker has been with the Hardrockers for three seasons, spending one year as an assistant coach before being promoted in 2007, taking control of the program from Doug Tabbert.

“Coach Honaker came in as an assistant for one year and was a positive addition to the program for that year,” said Athletic Director Hugh Welsh. “When coach Tabbert resigned and went to Nebraska-Kearney, Beth was our obvious choice for our next head coach.”

During her first season as head coach, the Hardrockers had a phenomenal year, finishing with a 23-6 record and making an appearance in the DAC Tournament title match after finishing third in the 2007 regular season rankings.

“She stepped in and led us to one of our finest season in recent history. This past year was a little more of a challenge because of attrition, but coach Honaker still did a good job,” Welsh added.

SD Mines finished seventh this past season, ending with a loss to Black Hills State in the DAC tournament quarterfinals.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with many talented individuals over the last three seasons,” Honaker said.

Honaker has achieved some impressive things during her brief stint as a Hardrocker. Since joining the program in 2006, the Hardrockers defeated Black Hills State for the first time in 12 attempts (2007); earned their first DAC victory over Dickinson State (2008) --- it was also the first win over the Blue Hawks in more than 12 years.

Originally from Walkerton, IN, Honaker came to South Dakota Mines from Northern Michigan where she earned a BS degree in Physical and Health Education in 2004 and an MS degree in Exercise Science in 2006.

“I want to thank Hugh Welsh for giving me the opportunity to coach one of the better volleyball team that the South Dakota School of Mines has seen in quite some time,” Honaker said. “Hugh took a chance on a young female coach with little experience. I appreciate all that he and the rest of the administration have done to help me better my career.”

Honaker finished with a 35-22 overall record while coaching at SD Mines. She was also an assistant track coach for the Hardrockers. Honaker’s main duties were to help the hurdlers and sprinters. Under her tutelage, Honaker has coached two NAIA track All-Americans and one NAIA track National Champion.

“The entire department will miss Beth. She was a real team player and easy person to deal with, and a very good coach,” Welsh said. “Beth also was a real positive addition to our track and field coaching staff. I want to wish Beth the best of luck on her future endeavors.”

“The position will be advertised within the next week and we will conduct a national search for our next head volleyball coach,” Welsh said.

November 13, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) – Black Hills State and Jamestown College each placed seven players on the 2008 All Dakota Athletic Conference Football first team. Conference champion Dickinson State grabbed six spots on the first team; Minot State placed five on the squad; South Dakota Mines and Valley City State each placed four on the list and Dakota State had three first teamers.

Minot State running back Nick Banks, who led the DAC in rushing with 143.8 yards per game, was named the DAC Most Valuable Player after sharing the award last season. Valley City State wide receiver/defensive back Chauncey Calhoun was chosen the DAC Most Valuable Senior after leading the conference in receptions at 7.6 per game, receiving yards at 113.7 per game and scoring with 11.0 points per game. 

Dickinson State’s Hank Biesiot was selected DAC Coach of the Year. Biesiot’s Blue Hawks started the season 0-3, but rebounded with seven straight wins to capture the outright conference title. During the winning streak, DSU defeated three ranked opponents to earn their coach’s fifteenth conference championship.

A complete list of the honorees can be found on the Football All-Conference Performers page of the conference web-site.

November 13, 2008

(Kansas City, MO) -- The Black Hills State men and women and five men and five women from DAC schools received invitations to the NAIA National Cross-Country Championships on Saturday, November 22 in Kenosha, WI.

The Yellow Jacket men and women received the invite to the national meet as the team champions of the DAC Cross-Country Meet in Madison, SD on Sunday.

The five men and five women from the DAC were invited as the top five placers at the conference meet that were not members of the conference meet champions. The five men to receive the national meet invite are Pablo Puga, Sammy Chavez and Salvador Bautista from Dickinson State and Anthony Drealan and Tyler Van Peursem of Dakota State. The five women who will compete at nationals are Stephanie Warnke and Kari Schaeffer from Dakota State, Alyssa Bossler and Katie Conlon from Jamestown College and Minot State's Cassandra Sayler.

A complete list of teams and individuals competing at the national meet can be found on the NAIA web-site.

November 07, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- With hazardous road conditions and a forecast calling for cloudy skies, windy conditions, scattered snow flurries and temperatures around 30 degrees, Saturday's DAC Cross Country Championships in Madison, SD has been postponed. The meet has been rescheduled for Sunday with the women's race beginning at 10:00 AM Central Time and the men starting at 11:00.

Saturday's Black Hills State at South Dakota Mines football game has been postponed until 1:00 Sunday afternoon, while the kick-off for the Dickinson State at Minot State contest on Saturday has been pushed back one hour to 2:30 Central Time.

Mother Nature has also altered the schedule for men's and women's basketball. For updated schedules, go to the men's basketball and women's basketball pages on the DAC web-site.

November 06, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- The opening round of the Dakota Athletic Conference volleyball tournament looks similar to the way the regular season concluded. On Wednesday, travel partners matched up to wrap-up the regular season and after the dust settled, the same teams will face off in the first round of the conference tournament.

First round pairings on Saturday, November 8 have top seed Jamestown College (13-1/21-8) hosting number eight Valley City State (2-12/9-23) at 7:30; number four Mayville State (7-7/15-10) will be at home to face fifth seeded Dakota State (6-8/9-19) at 7:00; number six Dickinson State (4-10/5-21) travels to number three Minot State (7-7/12-14) at 7:00 and seventh seeded South Dakota Mines (4-10/12-15) is on the road to face number two Black Hills State (13-1/21-6) at 7:00.

The semifinals will be played at 7:00 on Wednesday, November 12 at the home of the higher seeds with the championship match slated for 7:00 on Saturday, November 15 at the higher seed. The conference tournament champion earns a berth to the NAIA National Tournament.

All conference tournament matches can be viewed live on-line on pay-per-view through the B2 Network.

October 27, 2008

(Kansas City, MO) -- Three women's teams and one men's team from the Dakota Athletic Conference are ranked in the NAIA Division II Preseason Basketball Polls.

Jamestown College is the top DAC team ranked in the women's poll, sitting in a tie for ninth with Cardinal Stritch, WI. Minot State is 13th and Black Hills State is 18th in the preseason balloting. South Dakota Mines also received votes. Morningside, IA received 11 of 12 first place votes and sits atop the preseason poll. Defending national champ Morningside, IA is ranked 14th after losing all five starters.

Minot State is the lone DAC representative in the men's rankings, coming in at number 18. Valley City State and Black Hills State also picked up votes in the poll. Defending national champion Oregon Tech is the unanimous preseason number one.

The complete preseason polls can be found on the NAIA web-site.

October 27, 2008

(Jamestown, ND) -- Jamestown College soccer coach Ben Mumm has resigned after three seasons with the Jimmie women’s program and two seasons with the men’s program. He plans to relocate to South Dakota to join his wife, Teresa.

“Ben has done a tremendous service for Jamestown College by getting the men’s soccer program up and running while taking care of the women’s program at the same time,” Athletic Director Lawrie Paulson said. “While an excellent soccer coach and teacher, the attribute I appreciate about Coach Mumm above all others is that he truly cares for each student in his programs, and he went above and beyond for them many times. I want to publicly thank him for his service.”

“Lawrie Paulson and the athletic department have created a great working environment for mentoring new people and our student-athletes,” Mumm says. “Jamestown College has offered a wonderful learning experience for me and I am grateful for the opportunity as it has allowed me to meet some of the best mentors and friends I have ever had.”

Mumm joined the Jimmie coaching staff in 2006 after serving as a graduate assistant coach at Hastings College, NE. He previously was the assistant coach for men’s and women’s soccer at Morningside College, IA.

A search for Mumm’s successor is under way.

October 15, 2008

(Jamestown, ND) -- Jamestown College volleyball coach Chris Mahoney will resign at the end of the 2008 season to become a full-time faculty member in the College’s Department of Health and Physical Education.

“I feel so blessed to have been able to work with so many incredible players and people during my coaching years at Jamestown College,” Mahoney says. “Right now it’s hard to imagine life without volleyball and these young ladies because we are still hard at work and we all have so much invested. I know this team will work hard together to stay on track with the goals we have set.”

Athletic Director Lawrie Paulson says a search is underway for Mahoney’s successor.

“Chris’ transition to full-time faculty will be a great benefit to the physical education department and to Jamestown College, but he will be sorely missed in the athletic department,” Paulson says. “I want to sincerely thank him for all he has done and congratulate him on all he has accomplished. He has been an outstanding coach and role model for his players for a long time.”

Mahoney is currently in his 12th year as head coach of the Jimmies and his 15th year in the program overall. He has led teams to the NAIA Regional Final Four, three consecutive regional tournaments, and two Dakota Athletic Conference championship games. He is also chair of the Department of Health and Physical Education.

Mahoney has coached two All-Americans, 10 NAIA Academic All-Americans, four All-Region players, two Most Valuable Graduating Seniors, a Most Valuable Freshman, and 27 All-Conference players. The Jimmies are currently in second place in the DAC standings and are receiving votes in national polls.

October 14, 2008

(Kansas City, MO) -- Dickinson State is ranked eighth in the NAIA Preseason Wrestling Coaches' Poll. Defending national champion Lindenwood, MO is the preseason number one with Menlo, CA second; McKendree, IL third; Great Falls, MT fourth and Embry-Riddle, AZ and Missouri Valley tied for fifth.

The Blue Hawks, who finished third at last year's national championships, have four individuals ranked in their weight classes. Nathan Schweitzer is rated fifth at 141, Nick Zumwalt is ranked second at 157 and Stanton Schlecth is second and Shane Bennett is sixth at 165.

The complete team and individuals rankings can be found on the NAIA web-site.

September 22, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- The Dakota Athletic Conference has expanded their coverage with the addition of a weekly radio program and video streaming of games over the internet.

The DAC launched the "DAC Weekly" radio program in September. The program is produced and hosted by Ryan Cunningham of KOVC Radio in Valley City and Mark McKenzie of KQDJ Radio in Jamestown with the assistance of broadcasters throughout the conference.

The weekly half-hour program highlights the athletic programs of the eight conference schools along with features on former athletes and coaches, student-athletes work outside of athletics and other stories within the conference. The program airs at 7:06 PM on Wednesdays on KDIX in Dickinson and on Saturdays at 8:30 AM on KQDJ in Jamestown and KJAM in Madison; at 9:30 AM on KOVC in Valley City; at 10:00 AM on KMAV in Mayville, at 12:00 PM on KDSJ in Deadwood and at 12:30 PM on KCJB in Minot. The program is also available on-line on the conference web-site.

The DAC also began internet video broadcasts of athletic events after signing an agreements with B2 Networks. The eight conference schools will broadcast all home games in volleyball, football and men's and women's basketball, along with the DAC indoor track and field championships at Black Hills State. Games are available on line on a pay-per-view basis at a cost of $7 per game, individual school season passes are available for football and men's and women's basketball and an all access pass for all sports may also be purchased. Links to the B2 Networks web-site are available on the DAC web-site and the web-sites of the eight conference schools.

September 22, 2008

(Madison, SD) – For the second straight year, the Dakota State Men’s Basketball program volunteered to help the Habitat for Humanity in Madison, SD. This year, the Trojan’s Men’s Basketball program had 17 members, along with Head Coach Wade Kooiman and Associate Head Coach Orion Thompson, working the Hope Studios setting up for the concert fundraiser. 

This fundraiser is one of the many that Habitat for Humanity does to be able to help support the building of houses like last year’s that was done for Susan Nordaune, a DSU employee.

The men’s basketball team worked for the day setting up tents, moving furniture, installing crowd control fence and setting up the stage.

September 08, 2008

(Kansas City, MO) -- Jamestown College's Josh Kittell has been selected the NAIA Offensive Football Player of the Week. The senior quarterback from Garrison, ND, set a school record in a convincing 47-20 win over visiting Peru State (Neb.) on Saturday. His six passing scores was a new Jimmies' record on a day in which he threw for 375 yards on 28-of-38 passing. He also rushed for 16 yards in the season-opener for the Jimmies. Kittell was part of an offense that piled up 569 yards.

September 01, 2008

(Minot, ND) -- Minot State University and KMOT-TV in Minot announce an agreement that will have Beavers' football on television for the next two years.

“It's a historic agreement that will showcase the assets of both institutions.” KMOT-TV station manager Tom Ross said. “It's what is good about North Dakota. We have top ranked athletes and for as long as I can remember we've committed to bring those competitions right to your living room.”

This season, KMOT will televise the Beavers' homecoming game on September 27 against Valley City State University. Included in the agreement is the commitment from KMOT to broadcast the MSU Homecoming parade for the next two years. The homecoming parade will be tape delayed and broadcast on Sunday morning.

“KMOT and NBC will be good partners for us," said MSU athletic director Rick Hedberg. "Whenever we can get our students performing on live TV for parents, fans, and future students it works as a recruiting tool, which will benefit us all.”

August 22, 2008

(Spearfish, SD) -- Former Black Hills State basketball standout Lacey Haughian has signed a one year contract to play in Sweden.

The 6-2 Haughian signed with the Sallen team in Uppsala, Sweden. The season starts in late September and continues through April. Sallen plays in the second highest division.

Haugian, a native of Terry, MT, was a four year starter for the Yellow Jackets and earned All DAC honors during her junior and senior seasons. During her career, Haughian scored 1417 points and grabbed 815 rebounds.

August 20, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) -- One school from the Dakota Athletic Conference is ranked in the NAIA Preseason Volleyball Poll, while two schools represent the conference in both the NAIA Preseason Men's and Women's Cross Country Polls.

Dickinson State is the lone DAC school in the NAIA preseason volleyball rankings. The Blue Hawks (30-4 in 2007) are ranked fourteenth. Fresno Pacific, CA is the unanimous preseason number one, followed by California Baptist; Concordia, CA; Biola, CA and Azusa Pacific, CA in the top five. Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines received votes.

Black Hills State and Dickinson State represent the DAC in the men's and women's cross country polls. The Yellow Jackets are second in the men's poll and seventh in the women's poll, while the Blue Hawks are fifteenth in the men's rankings and twenty-fifth in the women's standings. The top five teams in the men's poll are Malone, OH; Black Hills State; Azusa Pacific, CA; Embry Riddle, AZ and Concordia, CA. The top five women's teams are Cedarville, OH; Azusa Pacific, CA; Malone, OH; Milligan, TN and Biola, CA and Wayland Baptist, TX tied for fifth. Dakota State received votes in the men's poll and Jamestown College picked up votes in the women's poll.

The complete polls can be found on the NAIA web-site.

August 16, 2008

(Beijing, China) -- Former Dickinson State sprinter Derrick Atkins was eliminated in the semifinals of the 100 meters in track and field competition at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Atkins, who helped lead the Blue Hawks to back-to-back national championships in 2004 and 2005, won his heat in the opening round of competition in a time of 10.28 seconds. He then qualified for the semifinals with a third place finish in the quarterfinals in 10.14 seconds, finishing behind former world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica, who ran 10.02 seconds. Atkins was then eliminated in the semifinals, finishing sixth in his heat in a time of 10.13 seconds.

World record holder Usain Bolt of Jamaica won the gold medal in the finals in world record time of 9.69 seconds, shaving three hundredths of a second off his previous record. Richard Thompson of Trinidad captured the silver in 9.89 seconds and Walter Dix of the United States won the silver in 9.91 seconds.

For complete Olympic track and field results, go to the International Association of Athletics Federation web-site.

August 11, 2008

(Kansas City, MO) -- Black Hills State, Jamestown College and Minot State, who shared the 2007 Dakota Athletic Conference football championship, are ranked in the NAIA Preseason Football Coaches' Poll.

Black Hills State (7-4) is ranked 18th, while Jamestown (9-2) and Minot State (6-4) are tied for 19th in the balloting.

Defending national champion Carroll College, MT is the unanimous number one with national runner-up Sioux Falls, SD number two. Missouri Valley; St. Francis, IN and Ohio Dominican round out the preseason top five.

For a look at the complete preseason poll, go to the NAIA web-site.

August 08, 2008

(Jamestown, ND) -- Jamestown College athletic director Lawrie Paulson announces Ed Crawford has been named head men’s track and field and cross country coach.

Crawford spent the past 12 years at Division I New Mexico State, where he most recently coached men’s and women’s cross country and women’s track and field. He coached 46 conference champions and led the women’s track team to the Sun Belt Conference championship in 2002 and 2004.

At Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Crawford coached five Division II national championship teams (three in women’s cross country and two in women’s track). He has also coached at Cal Poly Pomona, Ohio State and University of California – Irvine.

“I was impressed by the campus and by the importance of academics when I came to visit Jamestown College,” Crawford says. “I’m looking forward to meeting the athletes when they arrive.”

“We are excited to welcome Ed to the Jimmie coaching staff,” Paulson says. “His numerous accomplishments at the Division I and II levels have provided a wealth of experience which will benefit our student-athletes.”

Crawford earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology at Cal Poly Pomona, and he did graduate work in biomechanics at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He is a native of Diamond Bar, CA.

The Jimmies open the 2008 cross country season on Sept. 12 at the Roe Granger Invitational, Aberdeen, SD.

July 31, 2008

(Madison, SD) -- Dakota State University Athletic Gene Wockenfuss is pleased to announced Joe Reints as the new head coach for the women's basketball program.

Prior coming to Dakota State University, Reints (pronounced Rents) coached for Lamburth University in Jackson, Tennessee. He served as head coach of the Lady Eagles, an NAIA Division I school, for the past three years. The Lady Eagles earned the 2007 NAIA Division I National Championship. Reints' career record at Lambuth University is 69-33 and his team has maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.03.

From 2003-2005, Reints served as Assistant Women's Basketball for Texas State University. He has additional coaching experience with Mount Marty College and Northern State University. A native of Willow Lake, South Dakota, Reints graduated from South Dakota State University with a bachelor of science in history and from Northern State University with a master's in health, physical education, and coaching.

In addition to his coaching duties, Reints will serve as assistant to the athletic director. He will begin his duties on August 15th.

July 31, 2008

(Jamestown, ND) -- Jamestown College athletic director Lawrie Paulson announces Adam Jacobson has been named head men’s and women’s golf coach and assistant men’s basketball coach.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to experience head coaching with the Jimmie golf teams, and I’m looking forward to working with (head men’s basketball) coach (Jeff) Trumbauer to keep the winning tradition going,” Jacobson says.

Jacobson comes to Jamestown from Augustana College (Sioux Falls, S.D.), where he was a graduate assistant for the 2008 men’s basketball season. He is pursuing his master’s degree in education at Augustana. He previously served as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Scottsdale Community College.

“We are very excited to add Adam to our program,” says Trumbauer. “He comes to Jamestown with great experience as a player and a coach. Adam is familiar to North Dakota and will help our regional recruiting efforts.”

Jacobson earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 2006 from the University of North Dakota where he was a two-year starter on the men’s basketball team and a team captain his senior season. A Fargo native, Jacobson is a graduate of Shanley High School.

July 21, 2008

(Dickinson, ND) – Former Dickinson State track standout Derrick Atkins and current Blue Hawk Ramon Miller will represent the Bahamas at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Atkins will compete in the 100 meters, while Miller will take part in the 4x400 meter relay.

Atkins was a seven time NAIA national champion and nine time All American. He helped lead Dickinson State to a national outdoor runner-up finish in 2003, national championships in 2004 and 2005 and was a member of the Blue Hawk coaching staff during their national championship season of 2006. Atkins burst onto the world track scene in the summer of 2007, culminating his season with a silver medal finish in the 100 meters at the world track and field championships in Osaka, Japan.

"Derrick continues to be very consistent and we feel he is right on track to perform well at the 2008 Olympics,” said DSU head track coach Pete Stanton. “It will be an interesting year as (Usain) Bol from Jamaica has set the world record, and with Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell in the field, the final will be a great race.”

“We are very proud of all of the success that Derrick has achieved and we feel his personal best is yet to come,” Stanton added. "Derrick has put himself in the elite of the world with all of his focus and hard work over the past several years."

Miller is a four time national champion, a ten time All American and will return to DSU to compete in his senior season. Miller set the NAIA indoor record in the 400 meters in 2007 and was a member of the DSU 4x400 relay team that set the NAIA indoor record in 2006. Miller helped the Blue Hawks capture their third straight national outdoor championship in 2006 and to runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2008.

"Ramon had a break out year for Dickinson State this year. He took his talent to a new level,” said Stanton. “He won two individual and two 4x400 national championships.”

“Ramon should be the fifth guy on the Bahamian national team,” commented Stanton. “The Bahamas 4x400 team has done very well, finishing second to the U.S. in last years’ world championships. Whether Ramon will run rounds remains to be seen, but it will be a great experience and honor for him to be in Beijing."

Atkins and Miller are the second and third Blue Hawks to compete in the Olympics. DSU alum Aaron Cleare helped the Bahamas 4x400 relay team to a sixth place finish at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

"It has been an honor and privilege to have both Derrick and Ramon associated with the Dickinson State track and field program,” Stanton stated. “It is exciting to see them do so well at the world level. It has been great recognition for our program and school.”

“We are most proud of the fact that Derrick and Ramon are great people. They handle themselves with class and have been leaders and role models to so many of our other athletes at Dickinson State."

The 2008 Olympics’ opening ceremonies will take place on August 8 with the track and field competition scheduled for August 15-24.