UND student-athletes collecting food donations

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota student-athletes have begun collecting non-perishable food items as part of the annual Summit League Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) initiative known as the “Food Fight Challenge.”

The league-wide community service project challenges each Summit League school to host a food drive during select Summit League games. Fans can bring their non-perishable food items to those select events or to the main athletics office in the Hyslop Sports Center. All items will be donated to both the Grand Forks Salvation Army and UND’s Food Pantry.

Donations can also be made online at YouGiveGoods.com/undfoodfight.

UND will host two separate food drives during the 2018-19 academic year. The current fall drive will run through Nov. 3, while the spring collection will take place from Jan. 9 to Jan. 15.

Chick-Fil-A will donate a portion of their sales on Monday, Oct. 29 from 5-8 p.m. and Hornbacher’s and Applebee’s will do the same on Thursday, Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to midnight. Customers simply have to mention to their server that they are supporting UND’s Food Fight.

Below are the home events to which fans may bring their non-perishable food items:

Fall Collection: Oct.28 – Nov. 3

10/28 – Women’s Basketball vs Bemidji State

10/30 – Women’s Basketball vs Minnesota Crookston

10/31 - SAAC Halloween Bash

11/1 - Volleyball vs Western Illinois

11/2 - UND Fan Luncheon

11/2 - Hockey vs Wisconsin

11/3 - Volleyball vs Purdue Fort Wayne

11/3 - Hockey vs Wisconsin

Spring Collection: Jan. 9 – Jan. 15

1/9 – Women’s Basketball vs Omaha

1/10 – Men’s Basketball vs Omaha

1/11 - UND Fan Luncheon

1/11 - Hockey vs Colorado College

1/12 – Men’s Basketball vs Western Illinois

1/12 - UND-SDSU Track & Field Dual Meet

1/12 – Hockey vs. Colorado College

1/13 – Women’s Basketball vs Western Illinois

UMC Football Launches Soaring Eagles Community Service Program

CROOKSTON, Minn. -  The University of Minnesota Crookston football team has launched a new community service program for the 2015-2016 school year.  The program is called “Soaring Eagles”.  Coach Shelly Patterson, a volunteer Assistant Coach for the team, created the program with the players’ input, after meetings she had with many of the players during Spring Football.  The Golden Eagle players expressed to her a desire to do more in, and for, their community, and to create a stronger connection between them and the people of Crookston.  After Coach Patterson’s conversations with the players, “Soaring Eagles” is proudly offering two Community Service Programs during this football season.

“Golden Eagles Meet Golden Eaglets” is a program offered to Crookston and surrounding area elementary schools during home game weeks.  Players will be available to read with the PK-3rd grade students and to participate in recess/physical education class with the 4th-6th grade students.  The players’ goal is to help schools promote literacy and physical activity, while having fun with the students and  signing autographs for them.  The students will also be invited to attend Friday “walk-thru” practices and Saturday home games during home game weeks.

“Golden Eagles Meet Golden Years” is being offered to our “Golden Years” residents who still live in their home, and who can use some help with yard work in the fall and clearing snow and ice off driveways and
sidewalks in the winter.  There is no charge for the players’ assistance.

If you are a school administrator or Crookston “Golden Years” resident, who would like to utilize the services the UMC Golden Eagles football team is offering through its “Soaring Eagles” Community Service Program, please contact Volunteer Assistant Coach Shelly Patterson at coachpspeaks@gmail.com for more information or to schedule UMC players to visit your school or home.

The Minnesota Crookston football team cares about Crookston, and they appreciate your support at their home games.

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

Inaugural Green and Gold Gala Scheduled for April 27

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State University Athletics will host the inaugural Green and Gold Gala at the historic Fargo Theatre on Monday, April 27, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Fox Sports North's Marney Gellner will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event.

During the gala, the athletics department will honor student-athletes for their athletic, academic and community service accomplishments throughout the 2014-15 athletic year.

"The purpose of the Green and Gold Gala is to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of the athletics program throughout the year," NDSU Director of Athletics Matt Larsen said. "We have many talented young men and women that excel in competition but also perform in the classroom and understand the importance of giving back to the community. It is important to pause and recognize these impressive achievements on an annual basis." 

Awards being distributed include:

• Female and Male Athlete of the Year
• Female and Male Rookie of the Year
• Bison Impact Award
• Lifetime Achievement Award
• SAAC Team Service Awards
• NDSU Student-Athlete Choice Award
• Female and Male Bison Pride Award

In addition, Buck Buchanan Award winner Kyle Emanuel, NCAA Elite 89 recipient Carson Wentz and NDSU All-Americans Lawrence Alexander, Kurtis Julson, Erin Teschuk and Hayden Zillmer will be recognized.

The event will also celebrate and recognize the academic achievements of North Dakota State's student-athletes.

Academic Awards include:

• Bison Academic Performance Award
• Bison Academic Achievement Award
• Bison Academic Excellence Award
• Bison Most Valuable Scholar Athletes
• National Consortium for Academics and Sports Student-Athlete Day Award
• Thundering Herd Female and Male Academic Award
• Presidential Most Improved Academic Award
• President Academic Team Award

Prior to the start of the gala, student-athletes will have the option of entering the theatre on the green carpet from 6:30-7:15 p.m.

Female Athlete of the Year Nominees

• Sierra Bonham, Women's Soccer
• Brooke LeMar, Women's Basketball
• Krista Menke, Softball
• Erin Teschuk, Women's Track & Field & Cross Country
• Maddie Van Beek, Women's Track & Field

Male Athlete of the Year Nominees

• Lawrence Alexander, Men's Basketball
• Kyle Emanuel, Football
• Carson Wentz, Football
• Hayden Zillmer, Wrestling

Female Rookie of the Year Nominees

• Brianna Rasmusson, Volleyball
• Natalie Roth, Women's Golf
• Jacquelyn Sertic, Softball
• Taylor Thunstedt, Women's Basketball

Male Rookie if the Year Nominees

• A.J. Jacobson, Men's Basketball
• Clay Ream, Wrestling
• R.J. Urzendowski, Football

Female Bison Pride Award Nominees

• Gaby Arnquist, Women's Soccer
• Jenni Fassbender, Volleyball
• Liz Keena, Women's Basketball
• Emma Kusick, Women's Golf
• Alyssa Reina, Softball
• Maddie Van Beek, Women's Track & Field & Cross Country

Male Bison Pride Award Nominees

• Mitch Friedman, Wrestling
• Paul Funk, Baseball
• Chris Kading, Men's Basketball
• Esley Thorton, Football

5th Annual Cops and Kids Hockey Game

On Sunday January 30th, at the Moorhead Sports Center, the Moorhead Police Department will proudly host the 5th annual Cops and Kids hockey game. The evening will consist of a 5:30 pm game against boys and girls from the Peewee, Bantam, U-14 and U-12 teams. The “Kids” team will be coached by Fargo Force GM/Head Coach Jason Herder and several Fargo Force players.

The purpose of the event is to promote positive interaction with community youth and local law enforcement. Admission is free courtesy of Moorhead Public Service. There will be a silent auction for autographed sports memorabilia and a raffle for prizes donated by area businesses. All money raised will be donated to the Moorhead Youth Hockey Association and the Moorhead Police Explorer Post.

Please feel free to contact Officer Scott Kostohryz at 218-790-4128 or scott.kostohryz@ci.moorhead.mn.us if you have any questions about this event