Thursday, October 2, 2014

UMC Announces 2014 Athletic Hall of Fame Class



CROOKSTON, Minn. –  The University of Minnesota Crookston is pleased to announce their 2014 inductees into the Athletic Hall of Fame including the ’97 Football Team; Bill Tyrrell, former athletic trainer for the Golden Eagles along with leading athletic fundraising for 8 1/2 years; Karla (Thormodson) Isley ’98 (women’s basketball) and Scott Strohmeier ’99 (football).

Each member of the 2014 Induction class each exemplified the highest level of achievement in their field, whether it be on the field, off the field or in helping other’s achieve at their highest ability on the field.

The 2014 Induction Class will be recognized during the annual Alumni Award Celebration during homecoming on Fri., Oct. 17, 2014.

For information on the Alumni Awards Celebration and to make reservations, contact Rose Ulseth at 218-281-8439 by October 8.

The accomplishments of this year’s honorees include:

The 1997 UMC Football Team went 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the North Dakota Collegiate Athletic Conference, which was affiliated with the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). The 1997 team set countless records and included several individual achievements highlighted by three NAIA All-American selections including; Mark Olsonawski (Hallock, Minn.), who was named Second Team All-American RB; Cory Schreifels (Cold Spring, Minn.), who was named First Team All-American NG; and Jason Lindquist (Dalton, Minn.), who was First Team All-American LB/P. The Golden Eagles made their first-ever appearance in the NAIA playoffs and placed second in the NDCAC.

In addition to Olsonawski, the Golden Eagles were led by quarterback Scott Strohmeier, who is also a member of the 2014 Hall of Fame Induction class for this individual merits. Strohmeier threw for 1,288 yards and 12 touchdowns that season, a mark that remains third in the UMC record books. Olsonawski led the running game for the Golden Eagles with over 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns, his yardage that season still ranks fifth in UMC’s record books. while his touchdowns continue to hold as the school record. Carl Aho highlighted the receiving game with nearly 500 yards and six touchdowns.

Defensively, Lindquist led the way with 88 tackles, one sack, 11 tackles for loss and two interceptions while Schreifels added 52 tackles, nine tackles for loss and a sack. Lindquist’s 14 unassisted tackles in the Jamestown College game still continues to hold as the school record, while his 60 in a season is No. 2 all-time. Schreifels’ three sacks in the Valley City State game are tied for first for the most sacks in a game in school history.

Louie Sylvester highlighted the kicking game, his 48 yarder during that season still remains the third-longest field goal in school history behind his 50 yarder he kicked in 1998 and a 57 yarder he kicked in 2000.

The Golden Eagles’ season was highlighted by victories over University of Minnesota Morris, Valley City State University, Mayville State University and current NSIC cohorts University of Mary and Minot State University. The Golden Eagles also had wins over Mount Senario and Martin Luther.

Bill Tyrrell joined the UMC Athletic Department as an athletic trainer in 1987 and would serve in that role for 18 seasons helping treat injuries to UMC’s student-athletes, while aiding their rehab process so that they could get back on the field and achieve success. During this time, Tyrrell developed life-long friendships and relationships with the student-athletes he treated for 18 seasons. Tyrrell eventually transitioned into the role of Director of Athletic Fundraising in 2005, in which he would continue to develop these relationships with former student-athletes, alumni and donors, while also working with the UMC Teambackers organization.

Bill and his wife, Mary, established the Bill and Mary Tyrrell Endowment fund to support UMC student-athletes. Bill continues to live in Grand Forks, N.D. He is the father of Ryan and Brittany.

Scott Strohmeier was one of the most successful quarterbacks in UMC history, ranking in the top five for career completions, completion percentage, touchdowns and yards. He threw for 3,159 yards in his career with 27 touchdown passes. Strohmeier helped lead the Golden Eagles to a 7-3 record during the 1997 season and helped several other teammates achieve success on the field. The 1997 season marked UMC’s first-ever appearance in the NAIA playoffs as they finished second in the NDCAC.

In 1996, Strohmeier completed 156 passes for a 54.4 percent completion rate . His four touchdown passes against Mayville State is still tied for first all-time, while his 15 touchdown passes during the 1996 season remains second all-time. Strohmeier’s 279 yards against Mayville State remains fifth all-time in school history.

Strohmeier has gone onto a great amount of success as a collegiate coach, currently serving as Head Coach at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Strohmeier led the Reivers to their 2012 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Championship and appearances in the 2011 and 2012 Graphic Edge Bowl. Strohmeier has posted an impressive 46-9 mark as head coach. Strohmeier has also worked at Concordia University, St. Paul, Truman State University and North Iowa Area Community College as a coach.

Karla (Thormodson) Isley ’98 was named Rookie of the Year in 1997 while playing basketball for the Golden Eagles. The following year she was nominated for most valuable player of the North Dakota College Athletic Conference. She was All-Conference leading scorer in the NDCAC and third in the conference in rebounds. She was named Female Athlete of the Year along with All-Conference, and a member of the All-Academic Team in 1998.

Isley is the vice president for contract administration at Noridian Healthcare Solutions LLC in Fargo, N.D., a government contractor working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

She serves as the central point of contact for the government for all contract issues for Noridian operations and staff and an advisor to Noridian regarding contract compliance.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

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