Hall of Fame Inductees

Tanya Hensch Kort, a 2005 Liberal Arts graduate, is originally from Fergus Falls, MN.  During her high school years at Fergus Fall High School, she was a three-sport letterwinner in Volleyball, Basketball and Track, and holds the current 100m hurdles record at the school.

In 2003, Tanya journeyed 25 miles west on Highway 210 to Wahpeton to attend NDSCS. During her time at NDSCS, she was a middle hitter for the Wildcats Volleyball team. In 2003, she led the team in kills, blocks, and hitting percentage. Tanya was named to the Mon-Dak All Conference Team and the NJCAA All Region XIII team, and the Wildcats achieved a 27-12 record that year.

In 2004, Tanya was named team captain and once again led the team in kills, blocks and hitting percentages. She earned several awards that year, including being named to the Mon-Dak All Conference Team and MVP, as well as to the NJCAA Region XIII Team and the MVP. Her NDSCS records include being #4 in kills (767), #3 in blocks (258), and #4 in kills percentage (369%). She was also recognized as an NJCAA Academic All American and was on the Dean's List. After graduating from NDSCS, she continued her academic and volleyball career at the University of Mary, in Bismarck, ND. 

Now, Tanya is the Assistant Manager at Oscar/Parke Mutual Insurance in Rothsay, MN. Outside of work, she is involved with coaching high school and youth sports in Rothsay and supporting her boys in their school and athletic activities. Tanya also finds time to play recreational volleyball and summer softball and enjoy trips with family and friends. Tanya and her husband, Dan, an NDSCS Refrigeration graduate, live in rural Fergus Falls with their 3 children: Easton, Brennan, and Becker.

Jaci Jensen Gerhold, a 2003 Dental Hygiene graduate, made the trip up I-29 after graduating from South Shore High School in South Shore, SD. While at South Shore, she was Valedictorian and South Dakota's "B" Player of the year.

From 2001 to 2003, Jaci played as a shooting guard for the Wildcats women’s basketball team.  During her 2 years at NDSCS, the team achieved an impressive 49-18 record, remaining undefeated at home with a 29-0 record. The 2002-03 team qualified for the National Tournament. Individually, Jaci's 2002-03 season was highlighted by earning several awards, including 1st Team All-Conference, All Region XIII Team, Region XIII All Tournament MVP and being named 2nd Team All American. Jaci’s single-game scoring record of 40 points still stands, and she finished her career with the Wildcats with 893 points.

After graduating from NDSCS, Jaci continued her education at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD, where she graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. She currently lives in Spearfish, SD, where she works as a Dental Hygienist. Jaci and her husband Josh have three children: Tycen, Houston, and Cohan. She enjoys watching her kids participate in various sporting events.

Jared Keaveny, a 2002 NDSCS Liberal Arts graduate, started his journey in Wahpeton, North Dakota. After a successful high school basketball career with the Wahpeton Huskies, he continued his athletic and academic endeavors at NDSCS, becoming a Wildcat.

During his two years at NDSCS, Jared played as a shooting guard for the Men's Wildcat Basketball team. He set a school record for 3-point shots, making 155 in his career.   In the 2001-02 season, Jared was named to the All-Academic Team for the Mon-Dak Conference. That season, the team set 18 records, including a 22-game winning streak, a 26-game home winning streak over 2 seasons, and a perfect 14-0 record in the Mon-Dak Conference. The team also became the first in school history to win 30 games in a season, finishing with a 31-2 record, becoming Region XIII Champions, and achieving a 9^th place national ranking.

After leaving NDSCS in 2002, Jared continued his basketball and academic career at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall MN. During his senior year there, he served as a team captain, was named to the NSIC All-Conference team, and led the team in scoring with an average of 16 points per game.

In 2004-05, Jared was back at NDSCS as a coach, helping that team and Coach Irwin to a very successful year. That season, the team reached the National Tournament in Hutchinson, KS, winning 3 out of 4 games and earning a national ranking of 7^th place.

Jared currently resides in Redwood Falls, MN, and commutes to Cottonwood, MN, where he works for Lakeview Public Schools. He enjoys staying active, especially walking through Ramsey Park with his girlfriend Denise and their dogs. He likes helping out around Lakeview with different activities, working with different basketball teams, and relaxing at home around a good fire. He has 2 daughters, Bella and Ali, and enjoys watching any activity they are involved in. 

Congratulations to the 2002 NDSCS Football Team!

This team showed a lot of character and determination throughout a challenging season. Their season ended with a dominant performance, beating Northland Community College 48-27 at the Graphic Edge Bowl, presented by AT&T Wireless.

This young team overcame significant challenges, including a major coaching change at the end of the spring season. In May, Dr. Richman, Head Football Coach at the time who had led the team for 16 years, accepted an interim position as the Vice President of Instructional Affairs for NDSCS. In June, Mike Beagle was hired as the interim Head Football Coach. As the team broke for summer camp, it was clear that the season would be a roller coaster ride. However, no one could have anticipated the exciting close games, which would lead to the Wildcats finishing second in the ICCAC (Iowa Community College Athletic Association) with a record of 5-3, losing those 3 games by a total of only six points.

This team featured strong defense for much of the season. They were ranked 12^th nationally in total defense, allowing only 217.8 yards per game. They ranked 7^th in pass defense at 109.8 yards per game and 12^th in rushing defense at 108 yards per game. Offensively, NDSCS ranked 23^rd nationally with 148.8 rushing yards per game. This balanced performance on both sides of the ball was crucial to their success. They continued to play hard through the post-season, finishing the season with a 6-5 record.

The team’s success was reflected in individual awards for the athletes. Ten players would go on to earn All-MCAC Honors, and player Peter Schletz would be named an NJCAC All-American. Additionally, 20 players went on to continue their college football careers with D1 through NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) teams. Many of the team members went on to finish their college degrees and become entrepreneurs, counselors, coaches, teachers, CEOs, construction workers, engineers, accountants, and many other successful careers.

The 2002 NDSCS Football team not only achieved success on the field, but also built lifelong friendships, embodying the spirit of champions.

FRONT ROW: Derick Arnold, Rochenel Absolu, Quitman Kyles Jr., Jeff Jones, Jared Crowther, Head coach Mike Beagle, DeGeorge Tebbs, Matt Shahan, Winston Bell, and Brian Dixon

SECOND ROW: Jason Booker, Andy Spells, Peter Schletz, Tony Harrom, Brian Smith, Trimaine Dawson, Tom Wilson, Anthony Ekren, and Dennis Britton

THIRD ROW: Dustin Wells, Corey Agre, Tierre Thompson, Josh O'Brein, Ryan Goebel, Chris Diem, A.J. Bunker, Byron Carpenter, Mike Fuller, and Mitch Botnen.

FOURTH ROW:  Shan Schlosser, Jim Schmidt, Jeremy Puetz, Caleb Rudnick, John Stewart, Nathan McArthur, Andy Knapp, and Andrew Sander

FIFTH ROW: Everett Beason, Jason Harper, Josh Davis, Ron Zimlicka-Hayes, Neuby Ras, Kurt Sand, Rashem Sharpe, Justin Stenglein, and Gary Rymer

SIXTH ROW: Travis Kluska, Yoney Fobb, Mike Draper, Rodney Thompson, Keith Lipka, Student Manager Brian Vikan, Donavan Hecker, and Student Manager Tyler Keller

SEVENTH ROW: Offensive Line Coach Steve Calvin, Student Coach Nic Josephson, Student Trainer Brian Sauer, Head Athletic Trainer Bryan Demaine, Equipment Technician Brett Lambrecht, Defensive Coordinator Robert Rubel, Wide Receivers Coach Mike Shafer, Linebacker Coach David Jackson, and Defensive Line Coach Ivan Goepferd

The induction of the 1942 NDSSS Football Team into the NDSCS Athletic Hall of Fame is well-deserved, given their remarkable undefeated season and the national recognition they brought to the College. Coach Earl "Skip" Bute began the season on the first day of practice with twenty-two players, only 4 of whom were returning lettermen.

Despite having a young team, the Wildcats won four straight Conference games against Jamestown, Valley City, Ellendale and Mayville to win the NDIC Championship. This achievement was even more remarkable considering the challenging conditions. Due to poor weather and war conditions, the four games were played within just 12 days. The team remained undefeated and untied for the season, scoring a total of 65 points to the opponents’ 6. The only team to score against them was Mayville, who crossed the Wildcat goal line in the final game of the season. The game at Valley City served as a benefit to raise money for Christmas gifts for the Valley City National Guard, and the October 29th game was played in a snowstorm.

Several players received All-Conference honors. Dewey Nelson, Bill Dietz, Orlo Johnson and Jerry Rustvold were named to the All-Conference First Team, and Bud Stanbra was named to the Second Team.

The team brought national attention to NDSCS on December 1st, 1942, when famous sports commentator Bill Stern and NBC Sports Newsreel featured the successful, but unusual, season for Coach Earl "Skip" Bute and the Wildcat football team.

The 1942 NDSSS Wildcat Football Team finished as one of only approximately 20 teams in the nation with an undefeated record.

FRONT ROW-Ray Cimbura, Dick Miksche, Breckenridge; Ernest Boumont, Wahpeton; Jerry Rustvold, Perley; and Ted Mote, Wahpeton, co-captains; Orlo Johnson, Doran, Minn.; Rush McAllister, Robert Colbert, Breckenridge, Minn.; Dewey Nelson, Page.

MIDDLE ROW-Coach Bute; Hubert Stovik, Wahpeton; Bob Cook, Midwest, Wyo.; Bill Dietz, Wahpeton; Bud Stanbra, Breckenridge, Minn.; Steve Bird, Hettinger; Sebastian Hoffner, Esmond; Bob Hallquist, Lisbon; Fred Sundstad, Perley.

BACK ROW-Gordon Patterson, Assistant Coach; Nels Snustad, Hendrum, Minn.; Kenneth Johnson, Kindred; Ted Wild, Osnabrock; Fred Seibel, Elgin; Bob Grothe, Kindred; Phil Warrey, Page; Owen Sorum, Page; Lambert Gregor, Fairmount, Student Manager.