NDSU's Klieman Signs Six-Year Contract Through 2021 Season

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State athletic director Matt Larsen today announced head football coach Chris Klieman has agreed to a new six-year contract to coach the Bison through the 2021 season.

Klieman is in his sixth year overall and his third as the head coach at NDSU.  He signed a five-year contract as head coach in 2014 and accepted a two-year extension in 2015 that ran through the 2020 season.

“We are glad to have Chris and his family in Fargo for years to come,” Larsen said.  “I am extremely confident in the continued growth of our football program under his leadership.”

NDSU is 28-3 over the past two years, including a 14-2 mark in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and the program’s fourth and fifth straight conference and NCAA national championships.

“I am very blessed to have the best job in FCS football,” Klieman said.  “I am thankful for Matt Larsen and President Bresciani for their continued support and belief in our vision as a staff and football program.  NDSU has tremendous student-athletes who are receiving an outstanding education and foundation for excellence which are showcased and supported by an unbelievable fan base and institution.”

North Dakota State is 17-2 against FCS Top 25 teams under Klieman and has been the No. 2 and No. 3 national seed for the FCS playoffs.  NDSU has had 13 All-America players, including Buck Buchanan Award-winning defensive end Kyle Emanuel.  There have been five CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections.

North Dakota State didn't skip a beat in Klieman's first year despite losing 23 seniors and welcoming seven new assistant coaches.  The Bison scored 34 unanswered points to beat Big 12 member Iowa State in the season opener as part of an FCS-record 33-game winning streak that extended into November.

NDSU replaced seven starters on defense in 2015 and won eight straight games under freshman quarterback Easton Stick after a midseason injury to senior starter Carson Wentz.  The Bison defense continually improved from a season-opening loss at Montana and held four playoff opponents to just 217 yards and nine points per game.

Klieman was named the 2014 Rawlings Football/American Football Monthly FCS Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award presented by The Sports Network to the FCS Coach of the Year.  His 9-0 start was the best by any first-year head coach in NDSU and Missouri Valley Football Conference history.

A native of Waterloo, Iowa, Klieman was a three-time All-Gateway Conference defensive back at Northern Iowa and a four-year letterwinner from 1986-90.  He graduated from UNI in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in health education and earned a master's degree in physical education from UNI in 1992.

Klieman and his wife, Rhonda, are the parents of two sons, Devin and Colby, and one daughter, Haley.

NDSU Wrestling Camp Scheduled for June 19-24

FARGO, N.D.--The North Dakota State University wrestling camp for wrestlers ages 5-18 is scheduled to be held June 19-24 in the CVS Building, 1321 19th Ave. N., Fargo, N.D. 58102.

Cost is $350 for resident campers (includes full room and board), $300 for commuter campers with meals and $250 for commuter campers without meals. Kids ages 12-and-under are encouraged to come with a buddy to make sure they have someone their size to work out with.

Registration is 2-4 p.m. Sunday, June 19, outside Sevrinson Hall, 1422 Albrecht Blvd., Fargo, N.D. 58102. Registration can be done online at www.ndsuwrestlingcamps.com. A $75 non-refundable deposit must accompany the application with the full amount due 10 days before camp begins.

Campers are asked to bring shoes, head gear and work-out clothes. A typical day at camp starts at 6 a.m. with strength and conditioning, breakdown of proper techniques, drills and live matches/competition to close things out at 8 p.m. On Friday, June 24, there be a bracketed tournament in the morning. Non-campers are welcome to participate in the tournament for a $50 entry fee. Full-time athletic trainers will be at every session.

NDSU head coach Roger Kish, a three-time Western Wrestling Conference Coach of the Year, is camp director. Clinicians include NDSU assistant coach Jarrod Garnett, along with former NDSU wrestlers Steven Monk and Hayden Zillmer. Garnett was an NCAA All-American for Virginia Tech, while Monk and Zillmer were All-Americans for the Bison. Zillmer recently landed a spot on the U.S. National Wrestling Team in Greco-Roman.

For more information, contact Nancy Erickson at (701) 231-7447 or email at Nancy.Erickson@ndsu.edu.

Northland Women’s Basketball Program Announces Letter of Intent Signees

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn.- The Northland Pioneers women’s basketball team is continuing to build upon their success from the 2015-2016 season as they bring in a new class of athletes. The Pioneers women’s basketball program announced seven players who have signed a National Letter of Intent to join the 2016 National Runner-Up Northland Pioneers for the 2016-2017 season. The following athletes signed Letters of Intent with NCTC:

·      Emily Anderson – 5’5” guard from Greenbush-Middle River

·      Kelsey Kainz – 5’8” guard from Thief River Falls

·      Madison Magner – 5’6” guard from Marshall County Central

·      Madison Stenzel – 5’11” forward from Clearbrook-Gonvick

·      Megan Swedberg – 6’1” center from Waubun

·      Adrianna Vasek – 5’5” guard from Fisher-Climax

·      Jessica Vedbraaten – 5’9” forward from Marshall County Central

 “I am very excited about this group and the depth and talent that they will add to our roster,” head coach Shannon Nelson said. “They are ready to help us continue the tradition of success that Northland women’s basketball has established and will contribute immediately.”

All of the 2016 signees will come to Northland from within a 75-mile radius. Northlandreturns three players from the 2016 National Runner-Up team. The Pioneers’ home opener of the 2016-2017 season will be on Friday, November 18^th at 5:45pm vs. Minnesota State Fergus Falls.

Northland Community and Technical College is a comprehensive college with campuses inEast Grand Forks, Minn. and Thief River Falls, Minn.  One- and two-year degrees, transfer programs and diploma certification are available in a variety of majors, as well as workforce training and continuing education programs.  NCTC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.  Visit the College at www.northlandcollege.edu.  NCTC is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

MN Timberwolves Agree to Terms with Tom Thibodeau and Scott Layden

Minneapolis/St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has agreed to terms with Tom Thibodeau as President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach, and Scott Layden as General Manager. Per team policy, terms of the agreements were not released. 

“We are extremely excited to welcome Tom Thibodeau back to the Timberwolves,” said Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor. “Through this process we quickly identified Tom as the best leader to shape our talented team and help them realize their full potential. Tom’s resume speaks for itself. He is a proven winner, leader and one of the most well-respected NBA head coaches over the last decade. His teams have annually been among the league leaders in defense and we are excited about the approach and mentality he will bring to that side of the ball. The future of the Minnesota Timberwolves has never been brighter and we are very pleased to have Tom as our basketball operations leader moving forward.

“Scott Layden brings over 30 years of experience in the NBA to his new role within our organization, including several years in basketball operations leadership positions with Utah, New York and most recently San Antonio. His decades of front office experience will be integral as we head into an extremely exciting time for our organization. In getting to know Scott, he has impressed me with his not only his basketball acumen, but also his character and integrity. Tom and Scott will work in concert together in shaping our roster moving forward. We are confident this partnership gives us the best chance possible of winning an NBA title.”

A veteran of over 25 seasons as an NBA head coach and assistant coach, Thibodeau’s teams have advanced to the postseason in 19 seasons, including three trips to the NBA Finals (1999, 2008, 2010). Most recently Thibodeau was head coach of the Chicago Bulls, leading the Bulls to a 255-139 record over five seasons from 2010-15. Under his tutelage, the Bulls reached the playoffs in all five seasons, including holding the best record in the NBA in both of his first two seasons (2010-12). Thibodeau is one of two coaches in NBA history to win the most games in the league in each of his first two seasons. His .647 winning percentage as head coach ranks seventh in NBA history (min. 200 games).

Layden brings an impressive list of basketball credentials to his general manager position, having held various front office and coaching positions in the NBA since 1981. Layden’s previous front office leadership experience includes stints with the Utah Jazz, New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. Most recently Layden spent the last four seasons with the Spurs as the team’s assistant general manager. In his new role as General Manager, Layden will assist President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Tom Thibodeau in the evaluation and acquisition of players and in the overall management of all basketball operations for the Wolves.

Limited Seating Remains for R&J's MN Twins Fun Bus Trip

Join R&J Broadcasting Inc. for the second annual Minnesota Twins Fun Bus Trip on Saturday, June 11th. The Twins will host the Boston Red Sox in a 1:10 pm game at Target Field. The cost of the trip is $59 and includes the transportation to the game courtesy of Dorman Bus Service, the ticket to the game along with a sub sandwich from Subway and Lepiers West in Fosston. We will also provide water on the bus and you are more than welcome to bring your own beverages or snacks on the bus. Call KKCQ in Fosston to register at (218) 435-1919 or toll free at (855) 436-5572. The bus will leave from Fosston at 5:30 that morning with another pick-up at around 6:00 am in Mahnomen. Seats are filling up fast, so sign up today

MN Timberwolves Towns Named Rookie of the Month

Minneapolis/St. Paul – The NBA today named Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns as its Kia NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month for April. This is the sixth consecutive month Towns has won the award, making him the eighth player since the award’s inception in the 1981-82 season to win six consecutive Rookie of the Month honors: Damian Lillard in 2012-13, Blake Griffin in 2010-11, Chris Paul in 2005-06, Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James in 2003-04, Tim Duncan in 1997-98 and David Robinson in 1989-90.

Towns led all qualified rookies in scoring (18.9 ppg), rebounding (11.7 rpg), blocked shots (1.71 bpg) and minutes played (35.6 mpg), while ranking fifth in field goal percentage (49.1%) and assists (3.6 apg) in April. The 7-0 forward/center also recorded five point/rebound double-doubles in seven April games.

The first overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft, Towns helped lead the Wolves to a 4-3 record in April, including hitting the game-winning shot with :01.8 remaining to give Minnesota a 106-105 win at Portland. The victory capped a 3-0 West Coast road trip, the team’s most successful road trip since going 4-0 in December 2005. Towns recorded 11 points, 21 rebounds and nine assists April 3 vs. Dallas, becoming the NBA’s first rookie since Elgin Baylor in 1959 to collect at least 21 rebounds and nine assists in a game. The 21 boards tied Gorgui Dieng’s club rookie record and his 18 defensive rebounds were a new team rookie high. Towns posted game-highs with 28 points and 14 rebounds in a season finale win over New Orleans.

Towns finished the season ranked eighth in the league in rebounding (10.5 rpg), eighth in field goal percentage (54.2%), 10th in blocks (1.68 bpg), 26th in scoring (18.3 ppg) and third in double-doubles (51).

MN Lynx 2016 WNBA Draft Selection

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx tonight selected Bashaara Graves from Tennessee with the 22nd overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft.

Graves, a 6-foot-2 forward from Clarksville, Tenn., averaged 10.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in 33 contests for the Lady Vols this season. She connected on 54 percent of her attempts from the field and hit 74 percent at the free throw line. She registered eight double-doubles in her final season, finishing her career with 29 to place ninth on UT’s all-time list.

The product of Clarksville High School finished her collegiate career with 1,509 points and 1,044 rebounds, ranking 19th and third, respectively, in those categories at Tennessee. She is one of only five Lady Vols to finish her career with more than 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds.

Additionally, Graves ranks fifth in career starts (128), seventh in career free throws made (405), ninth in career free throws attempted (566) and 10th in career rebounding average (7.5).

The first chance fans have to see Minnesota’s roster is the team’s preseason contest at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester on Sunday, May 8 at 4 p.m. vs. the Washington Wizards. Tickets for the game are currently on sale through the Mayo Civic Center Box Office and on Lynxbasketball.com. Single-game tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the Lynx at 612-637-8400 or by visiting lynxbasketball.com/tickets.

The Lynx will kick of their 18th season in the WNBA at home on Saturday, May 14 against the Phoenix Mercury at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN. A limited number of lower level full-season memberships are currently available by visiting http://event.wolveslynx.com/membership or by calling 612-673-8400.

KRJB’S 25th Annual Golf Tournament Friday, June 3rd

KRJB’S 25th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT 
-  a 2 Person, 18-Hole Scramble - 
will be held on Friday June 3rd, 2016 1pm tee off at the Heart of the Valley Golf Course in Ada, MN

*     Entry fee is $100/Team, includes golf, free meal, beverages, door prizes

*      MGA or your club handicap verification

*       3 flights determined by lowest handicap of two-some

*     No playoffs – ties will be broken by card – hole by hole

*    A hole-in-one wins $2,000 towards a lease of purchase value on a selected new automobile from the Ada Auto Dealers – Lee Brothers Sales and Kelly's Chrysler Center

*        Cash Payouts

*        Hole-by-hole Prizes

*        Cart rental available with advance reservation at H.O.V Golf Course

*        No refunds if event is rained out. Incomplete scores decided by drawing

TO REGISTER CALL 800-569-4171 (LIMIT AT 80 GOLFERS)