Minnesota Lynx Re-Sign Maya Moore

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced the team has re-signed forward Maya Moore to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Moore, a four-year veteran originally selected by the Lynx with the 1^st overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft, started all 34 contests for Minnesota last season, running her consecutive-games-played streak to 136. Moore averaged a career-high and franchise-record 23.9 points per game, including a career-best 8.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists while playing 34.7 minutes per game.

"We are thrilled that Maya will continue her career with the Minnesota Lynx," said Lynx Executive Vice President Roger Griffith. "Maya has proven herself to be one of the best players in the WNBA after earning last season’s WNBA MVP honor and helping our franchise win two championships in her young career. Her continued success and leadership will be great for our franchise moving forward."

During her four years with the Lynx, Minnesota made three consecutive WNBA Finals appearances, earning two WNBA Championships (2011 and 2013) and four straight Western Conference Finals. Since Moore was drafted in 2011, the Lynx have collected 25+ wins for four consecutive years, becoming the first team in WNBA history to do so. The 105 victories in that span ties Los Angeles (2000-2003) for the league's most ever in a four-year span.

“I'm so excited to continue to compete for championships with the Lynx organization,” said Moore. “It’s been a privilege to work with some of the best teammates, coaches, staff, and ownership these past four years and I'm looking forward to many more."

Named the 2014 WNBA MVP, Moore opened the 2014 season by scoring 135 points over her first four outings, marking the most prolific four-game scoring stretch in WNBA history. She played in all 34 games and paced the league in scoring (23.9 ppg) with the third-highest average in WNBA history and went on to finish the regular season with a league-record 12 games of 30-plus points, topping the previous mark of 10 set by Diana Taurasi in 2008.

The 2011 Rookie of the Year has appeared in 136 career games (all starts) with the Lynx, averaging 18.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. She's appeared in 29 games during the playoffs over the last four seasons, averaging 17.4 points in 32.0 minutes per contest.

MAYA MOORE NOTABLE AWARDS

• 2014 WNBA MVP
• 2011, 2013 WNBA Champion
• 2013 WNBA Finals MVP
• 2013, 2014 First Team All-WNBA
• 2011, 2013, 2014 WNBA All-Star
• 2014 FIBA World Championship MVP
• 2014 FIBA World Championship Gold Medal
• 2012 Olympic Gold Medal
• 2011 WNBA Rookie of the Year
• #1 Overall Pick 2011 WNBA Draft

The Lynx will kick off their 17th season in the WNBA at home on Friday, June 5 against the Tulsa Shock at 7 p.m. A limited number of lower level full-season memberships are also currently available by visiting Lynxbasketball.com or by calling 612-673-8400.

Gophers Add Ahmad Gilbert to Signing Class

Head coach Richard Pitino announced Tuesday the signing of Ahmad Gilbert (Philadelphia, Pa./Constitution HS), with the 6’6”, 190-pound wing set to join the Minnesota men’s basketball team this summer.

“We are very excited about the addition of Ahmad Gilbert,” said Pitino. “We set out to add some size on the perimeter and Ahmad brings that. He has the ability to guard multiple positions as well as shoot the 3.”

Gilbert, named an All-Southeastern Pennsylvania first team selection by the Philadelphia Inquirer, helped lead the Generals earlier this year to their third state championship in his four-year career. This season, Gilbert averaged 17.6 points, 11 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.1 blocks per game. Gilbert also picked up Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class A Player of the Year honors in 2014 and 2015.

“Ahmad has won everywhere he has been; his future is very bright,” added Pitino.

Gilbert becomes the sixth member of the 2015 recruiting class, joining fellow rising freshmen Kevin Dorsey, Jarvis Johnson, Dupree McBrayer and Jonathan Nwanwko along with Illinois State transfer Reggie Lync

UMC's McClure Named All-NSIC Second Team

BURNSVILLE, Minn.-  The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) announced that Matt McClure (Sr., Grand Rapids, Minn./Natural Resources) was named 2014-15 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Men’s Golf All-Conference Second Team. McClure earned three All-NSIC honors during his career as he was an All-NSIC First Team selection as a junior and an All-NSIC Second Team pick as a freshman.

McClure led the team with a 76.8 scoring average, which was five-over-par for the season. He notched two top 10 finishes on the season, including placing second at the UMC/Minot State Aliante Invite. McClure placed seventh at the UNK Fall Invite in September. McClure finished tied for 17th at the NSIC/US Bank Men’s Golf Championship. McClure’s low round of the season was 70.

Ross Miller of Minnesota State University, Mankato was named the NSIC Men’s Golfer of the Year after leading the conference with a 73.1 average. Minnesota State coach Bryant Black earned NSIC Men’s Coach of the Year in his first season leading the Mavericks.

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

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.

The University of Minnesota Crookston is a NCAA Division II university located in the Red River Valley of Northwest Minnesota. UMC sponsors 11 intercollegiate athletic teams with membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference (NSIC) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The NSIC is a 16-team conference with schools situated in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.
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First Team     Yr.     School     Hometown     High School
Tyler Jensvold     Sr.     Augustana     Granite Falls, Minn.     Yellow Medicine
Andrew Benson     Sr.     Bemidji State     Eden Prairie, Minn.     Minnetonka
Ross Miller     Sr.     Minnesota State     Maple Grove, Minn.       Osseo
Kowan O’Keefe     Sr..     Minot State     Creston, B.C.            Salmon Arm Secondary
Tyler Koivisto     Sr.     St. Cloud State     Cokato, Minn.     Dassel-Cokato
Mitch Holm     Jr.     Winona State     Prior Lake, Minn.     Prior Lake
               

Second Team     Yr.     School     Hometown     High School
Parker Klitzke     Fr.     Augustana     Sioux Falls, S.D.     Lincoln
Adam Petterson      Sr.      Concordia-St. Paul     Lakeville, Minn.     Lakeville North
Matt McClure     Sr.     Minnesota Crookston     Grand Rapids, Minn.     Grand Rapids
Gonzalo Martinez     Fr.     Minnesota State     Mexico City, Mexico     International Academy (Va.)
Kelton Schmitz     Fr.     Minnesota State     New Ulm, Minn.     New Ulm
Jon Lindquist     Fr.     Winona State     Bloomington, Minn.     Thomas Jefferson

Minnesota Lynx Single-Game Tickets On Sale Saturday

 MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced that individual game tickets for the team’s 2015 season will go on sale Saturday, May 2 at 10 a.m. Additionally, the team has announced a new partnership with ticketing provider, Veritix,  for the 2015 season.

Fans can purchase single-game tickets at Lynxbasketball.com/lynxtix, by phone at 612-673-8400 or by visiting the Target Center Box Office from 10 a.m.-noon this  Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. any Monday through Friday.

Through the partnership, the Lynx will utilize Veritix’s digital ticketing technology called Flash Seats, which gives fans added flexibility and convenience to purchase, transfer and safely and securely re-sell their tickets online or through the Flash Seats mobile app. With the new system, traditional paper tickets are eliminated. Instead, fans who arrive at Target Center will access the arena using their personal ID or credit card registered under their Veritix account or scan their mobile ticket through the Flash Seats mobile app.

The Lynx are the first WNBA team to adopt Flash Seats digital tickets.

“Our fans are the sole focus of our efforts as an organization, and we’re actively working to evolve as their behaviors and preferences  change,” said Lynx President Chris Wright. “Beyond providing them with world-class entertainment and athleticism, we need to provide them with world-class solutions that make their engagement with us easy and memorable. That’s why we decided to partner with Veritix.”

Veritix supports sports teams and live entertainment venues throughout the U.S., including Quicken Loans Arena and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Toyota Center and the Houston Rockets, the Pepsi Center and the Denver Nuggets, Ford Field and the Detroit Lions, the NCAA Final Four, and more. Veritix is well known for its digital and patented ID-based ticketing technology, Flash Seats®.

A highlight of Minnesota’s 17-home schedule includes the home opener against the Tulsa Shock on Friday, June 5 at 7 p.m. Other highlights include a rematch a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals when Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury return to Target Center on Saturday, June 27 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 30, and a rematch of the 2013 WNBA Finals with Angel McCoughtry, Tiffany Hayes and the Atlanta Dream (July 31).

The first chance fans have to see Minnesota’s new-look roster is the team’s preseason contest at Target Center on Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m. vs. the New York Liberty

AP MN Baseball poll

The Associated Press poll for Minnesota baseball, provided by Let's Play Baseball newspaper.

Class AAA – April 30, 2015

1. MOUNDS VIEW

2. Chaska

3. Cretin-Derham Hall

4. Lakeville North

5. Eden Prairie

6. Maple Grove

7. Chanhassen

8. Mahtomedi

9. Anoka

10. St. Michael-Albertville

11. Minnetonka

12. Wayzata

13. Totino-Grace

14. Bloomington Jefferson

15. Stillwater Area

16. St. Francis

17. East Ridge

18. Bemidji

19. Brainerd

20. Shakopee

Also receiving votes: Apple Valley, Northfield, Woodbury, North St. Paul, Hutchinson, Waconia, Champlin Park, Robbinsdale Armstrong, Sauk Rapids-Rice, South St. Paul, Centennial, Grand Rapids, Roseville Area, Rochester John Marshall, Elk River, Forest Lake, Mankato West, Red Wing

Class AA – April 30, 2015

1. ST. CLOUD CATHEDRAL

2. Rochester Lourdes

3. Fairmont

4. Marshall

5. Minnehaha Academy

6. Albany

7. Delano

8. Glencoe/Silver Lake

9. Perham

10. Blake

11. Aitkin

12. Kasson-Mantorville

13. DeLaSalle

14. Holy Angels

15. Holy Family Catholic

16. Minnewaska Area

17. New Ulm

18. Byron

19. Pequot Lakes

20. Little Falls

Also receiving votes: Rocori, Providence Academy, La Crescent, Norwood Young America, Litchfield, Ottertail Central, St. Croix Lutheran, Maple Lake, International Falls, Hawley, Belle Plaine, Albert Lea, Thief River Falls/Goodridge, Duluth Marshall, Cloquet, Cannon Falls, Detroit Lakes, Winona Cotter, Caledonia, St. Anthony Village, Luverne, Pierz

Class A – April 30, 2015

1. NEW LIFE ACADEMY

2. BOLD

3. Windom Area

4. Springfield

5. Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s

6. Hayfield

7. New Ulm Cathedral

8. Ely

9. Medford

10. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton

11. Upsala/Swanville Area

12. ML-GHEC-Truman

13. Chatfield

14. Lac qui Parle Valley

15. Lewiston-Altura

16. Heritage Christian

17. South Ridge

18. Mankato Loyola

19. Randolph

20. Blackduck

Also receiving votes: Nevis, Badger-Greenbush-Middle River, West Central Area, Sacred Heart, New York Mills, Kenyon-Wanamingo, PACT Charter School, St. Agnes, Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City, Southwest Christian, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, Norman County, Martin County West, Minneota, Hinckley-Finlayson, Wabasha/Kellogg, Ortonville, Red Lake County, Lyle/Austin Pacelli

NDSU Volleyball Adds Jennifer Lopez as Assistant Coach

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State University head volleyball coach Kari Thompson announced Thursday, April 30, that former Bison standout Jennifer Lopez will join the NDSU staff as an assistant coach.

Lopez most recently served as the head girls’ volleyball coach at Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo for the 2013-14 season and as an assistant coach at West Fargo Sheyenne High School for 2014-15. She has also been highly involved in area instructional camps and club volleyball.

“I’m excited about the addition of Jen to our staff and eager to get her on the bench and back into the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse,” said Thompson. “Jen is a competitor. She possesses a calling to teach and mentor and a passion for coaching volleyball. Her experience as a competitive student-athlete and her pride in Bison athletics make her a perfect fit for our program.”

Lopez was the Summit League Setter of the Year, Player of the Year and Tournament MVP in 2011 as a senior for the Bison. She was a three-time All-Summit League selection, leading NDSU to four straight regular season league titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances from 2008-11.

“I am extremely excited and humbled to be back at NDSU and to work with the volleyball program,” Lopez said. “I am grateful for Coach Thompson and the opportunity to pursue my passion for coaching volleyball and helping others further develop their skills on the court.”

“Being able to give back to the university that did so much for me as a student-athlete is very rewarding,” said Lopez. “The values and standards that NDSU upholds are a part of who I am, and I hope I can continue to instill the tradition of success and hard work in developing young women. The positive impact that NDSU has had on my life is one that I hope I am able to provide to our kids during their time spent at NDSU.”

Lopez will serve as NDSU’s offensive coordinator, overseeing the technical training and skill development combined with play calling and decision-making at the setter position.

“Jen knows what it takes to be successful here at NDSU, specifically in the setting position, and our student-athletes will benefit immensely from her as an assistant coach,” Thompson said.

Lopez, a Glyndon, Minn., native, ranks among the NDSU all-time top 10 in total assists, assists per set and digs per set.

She graduated from NDSU in 2014 with a degree in mathematics education and a minor in coaching.

MN Timberwolves' Andrew Wiggins Wins NBA Rookie of the Year Award

Becomes first Wolves player to win Rookie of the Year honors 

Minneapolis/St. Paul – The NBA today announced Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins is the recipient of the Eddie Gottlieb trophy as the winner of the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He is the first Wolves player to win this award.

Wiggins, 20, received 110 of 130 first-place votes and 604 total points from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. The Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Mirotic finished second with 335 points (14 first-place votes), and Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers was third with 141 points (three first-place votes). Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.

"I am honored and humbled to be recognized by the media for this award," Wiggins said. "I'd like to thank our coaches and my teammates for all they have done to help me and support me this season. I'm looking forward to taking my game to an even higher level next year and helping our team make a significant improvement."

Wiggins led all qualified rookies in scoring with 16.9 ppg, and was 4th in steals (1.05 spg) and 5th in rebounding (4.6 rpg). He was the only rookie, and one of just 11 players, to start all 82 games this season and finished with a Wolves rookie record 2969 minutes played, second-most in the NBA (James Harden, 2981). Wiggins finished the season strong by averaging 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in April.

"Andrew's hard work and commitment to improving his game was evident by his production on the court this season," said Wolves head coach Flip Saunders. "We're thrilled to see him rewarded for this dedication. Andrew has proven that he is one of our key players and a main reason why we're excited about our future."

Wiggins was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month four times this season, becoming the first player in Wolves history to earn the honor multiple times. He tallied a rookie-leading 31 20+ point games this season, the most such games by a rookie since Damian Lillard in 2012-13.

The 6-8 forward filled the box score with 29 points, 10 rebounds and six assists April 10 at the Los Angeles Lakers. He scored a season-high 33 points Jan. 31 vs. Cleveland and added a season-high four steals in that game. Wiggins scored a game-high 31 points Jan 17 at Denver, while adding a season-high three blocks. He recorded his first career double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds Dec. 10 vs. Portland.

As part of its support of the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award, Kia Motors America (KMA) will donate on Wiggins’ behalf an all-new and more capable than ever 2016 Kia Sorento LX CUV to Rock of Faith Worship Centre in the Canadian province of Ontario, where Wiggins and his family are members. Kia Motors will present a Sorento to the charity of choice of each of five 2014-15 year-end award winners as part of the Kia NBA Performance Awards. After this season, Kia Motors will have donated a total of 38 new vehicles to charitable organizations since its support of the NBA’s prestigious honors began in 2008.

The 2014-15 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award is part of the Kia NBA Performance Awards, a series of oncourt performance awards. The series, in its eighth season, is part of a multiyear marketing partnership between KMA and the NBA, and includes five of the league’s most prestigious year-end honors: Kia Most Valuable Player, Kia Defensive Player of the Year, Kia Sixth Man Award, Kia Most Improved Player and Kia Rookie of the Year. The series also includes the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month and the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month during the regular season. Kia Motors is the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA, and the Kia Optima is the league’s Official Vehicle. For more information, please visit www.kia.com/NBA.

2014-15 KIA NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD VOTING RESULTS

Rookie, Team		1st	2nd	3rd	Total
Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota		110	17	3	604
Nikola Mirotic, Chicago		14	81	22	335
Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia		3	22	60	141
Elfrid Payton, Orlando		3	8	40	79
Marcus Smart, Boston		--	1	3	6
Jusuf Nurkic, Denver		--	1	--	3
Jordan Clarkson, L.A. Lakers		--	--	2	2

UMC Men’s Basketball Adds Fosston Guard Viken

CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball program announced the addition of Fosston-native Darin Viken (G, 6-2 190, Fosston, Minn./Fosston H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent. Viken is the eighth signee for the Golden Eagles during both signing periods as Head Coach Dan Weisse puts together his first full signing class.

Viken has given the Golden Eagles even more presence in the state of Minnesota as UMC has now signed six in-state players. The class has been labeled by Northstar Hoops Report as one of the strongest in-state classes. Viken is also the second local athlete to sign with Weisse joining Crookston-product Aaron Hollcraft (G, 5-11 175, Crookston, Minn./Crookston H.S.).

"Darin is a very tough, smart basketball player," Weisse said. "He had a very successful high school season and was very well coached. He has the values and mindset that we are looking for in a student-athlete. Darin will bring a blue collar mentality to practice. We know Darin will show up every day and give his all. When guys do that they keep improving and keep raising the bar for the team. I’m excited Darin decided to stay close to home and be a Golden Eagle."

Viken joins high school signees Hollcraft, Chase Knickerbocker (F, 6-6 175, Annandale, Minn./Annandale H.S.), Kobe Critchley (G, 6-0 190, Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area H.S.), Connor Gamble (G, 6-0 155, Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area H.S.), Nate Lorenz (F, 6-7 210, Breckenridge, Minn./Breckenridge H.S.).

UMC has also added junior college additions C.J. Polk (G, 6-1 176, Milwaukee, Wis./North Platte C.C.) and Riley Rice (F, 6-6 230, Mullen, Neb./North Platte C.C.).

All signees are contingent upon admission to UMC and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Everyone released today has signed their National Letter of Intent prior to release ofinformation.

Darin Viken (G, 6-2 190, Fosston, Minn./Fosston H.S.)
Viken was named the Pine to Prairie Conference Player of the Year for the 2015 season. In addition, he was a three-time All-Conference pick during three seasons with Fosston H.S. Viken set the school record with 42 points in a game. He finished his career with 1,717 points. Viken helped lead his team to the Class A tournament during the 2011-12 season. He was a four-year letter winner in football and basketball. He was named Pine to Prairie Defensive Player of the Year for football in 2014 and was an All-Conference pick for three years. Viken was also a two-time All-Section pick for football. He was an Academic All-State pick for both sports. Viken averaged 20.1 points per game as a senior for the Greyhounds. He was a 76.7 percent field goal shooter on the season, a 56.7 percent three-point shooter and a 77.9 free-throw shooter. Viken averaged a near double-double with 9.4 rebounds per game.
He is the son of Les and Patti Viken and was born April 1, 1997. Viken plans to major in biology at UMC. His father Les Viken played football at Minnesota State University Moorhead, as did his brother Drew Viken. His cousin Tyler Gripentrog is a baseball player at Northern State University.
The eight newcomers will join six returnees, which includes senior

Derrick Redd, Jr. (G, Menifee, Calif./Sports and Rec Management), who led the team with an 11.4 points per game average as a junior. Redd will join Jim Warmack (So., F/C, East Grand Forks, Minn./Management) and Micah Hollowell (So., G, Owensboro, Ky.) as returnees, along with redshirts A.J. Walton (R-Fr., G, Oak Hills, Calif.), Gable Smith (R-Fr., F, Lodi, Wis.) and Ibrahim Cisse (R-So., F, Plymouth, Minn.).

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.
Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.
The University of Minnesota Crookston is a NCAA Division II university located in the Red River Valley of Northwest Minnesota. UMC sponsors 11 intercollegiate athletic teams with membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference (NSIC) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The NSIC is a 16-team conference with schools situated in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.

Minnesota Lynx Signings

Minnesota Lynx Sign Second-Round Pick Reshanda Gray

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – Minnesota Lynx today announced the signing of second-round draft pick Reshanda Gray (16th overall).  

Gray, a 6-3 forward out of California, was named Pac-12 Player of the Year this season as well as being selected as a Wade Trophy and Wooden Award finalist after finishing the year averaging 17.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. She ranked 12th in the country in field goal percentage at .568 and finished her career as Cal’s all-time leader in career field goal percentage (.557). Gray was fourth in the Pac-12 in scoring and 10th in rebounding.

The first chance fans have to see Minnesota’s new-look roster is the team’s preseason contest at Target Center on Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m. vs. the New York Liberty. Tickets for the game are currently on sale for Lynx season members at their discounted member rate. Single-game tickets will be released for sale at a later date.

The Lynx will kick off their 17th season in the WNBA at home on Friday, June 5 against the Tulsa Shock at 7 p.m. A limited number of lower level full-season memberships are currently available by visiting Lynxbasketball.com or by calling 612-673-8400.

Minnesota Lynx Sign Third-Round Pick Shae Kelley

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – Minnesota Lynx today announced the signing of third-round draft pick Shae Kelley (35th overall).  

Kelley, a 6-1 forward from the University of Minnesota, was named to the All-Big Ten First Team in 2015 and was a three-time Big Ten Player of the Week honoree, while leading the Gophers in steals (56) and ranking second in points (578). She ranked sixth in the Big Ten in scoring, offensive rebounds and double-doubles, seventh in rebounds and defensive rebounds and 15th in steals.

Prior to transferring Minnesota, Kelley was named to the 2014 All-Conference USA First Team as a member of Old Dominion women’s basketball team. She surpassed 1,000 career points in just her second year at Old Dominion, becoming just the fifth Lady Monarch to do so.

The first chance fans have to see Minnesota’s new-look roster is the team’s preseason contest at Target Center on Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m. vs. the New York Liberty. Tickets for the game are currently on sale for Lynx season members at their discounted member rate. Single-game tickets will be released for sale at a later date.

The Lynx will kick off their 17th season in the WNBA at home on Friday, June 5 against the Tulsa Shock at 7 p.m. A limited number of lower level full-season memberships are currently available by visiting Lynxbasketball.com or by calling 612-673-8400.

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