MSU President's Newspaper Column
April 13, 2024
Comet Athletic Club board members go above and beyond always
More than 600 basketball players, their coaches, and families were in the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø-Portland community Saturday, April 13 for the annual Comet Athletic Club 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament! That’s 131 teams of second- through eighth-grade kids from North Dakota and Minnesota. Most of the teams are from within an hour or so of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø-Portland, with the longest distance of travel for a team being 150 miles.
Having 131 teams participate is a record for the tournament, at least since 2016. The highest number of teams participating in recent history was in 2019, when 88 teams registered. The tournament usually draws between 60 and 80 teams, so this year’s registration numbers are exceptional.
The 3 on 3 tournament was established in 1995 by two entrepreneurial 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State alumni, Tim Garrett and Neil Lerfald, who were initiated the idea and organized the tournament for girls and boys for 20 years before turning it over to the Comet Athletic Club board. As she has for the past several years, Comet Athletic Club board member Rhonda Nelson did a fabulous job of chairing the event on behalf of the board this year.
This year, tournament games were played at the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State Lewy Lee Fieldhouse and Wellness Center, as well at Peter Boe, Jr. Elementary School gymnasium in 91³Ô¹ÏÍø. There will be basketball action on a total of eight courts, where 203 games will be played between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on April 13. There were a total of 17 brackets being played with first-, second-, and third-place medals being awarded for each bracket.
This is a massive undertaking, and I tip my hat to Rhonda and all the Comet Athletic Club board members for their work that made the day a great success. The board members were assisted by 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State student athletes and many more volunteers who were involved. We are grateful for all who lent their support.
The Comet Athletic Club 3 on 3 basketball tournament has been a fantastic fundraiser to support Comet Athletics for nearly 30 years. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Tim Garrett and Neil Lerfald for their innovation and commitment to 91³Ô¹ÏÍø that got this annual event off and running, and who, together with many devoted volunteers, took such good care of it for so many years. Thank you, Tim and Neil, and all who have been involved, including several financial sponsors!
The members of the Comet Athletic Club board work tirelessly in support of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State Athletics. They are a hands-on working group of individuals who make great things happen. Current members of the board are Mike Carr, President; Brian Halvorson, Vice President; Steve Bensen, Treasurer; Rhonda Nelson, Secretary; Ross Johnson; Tami Parker, Brian Aune; Dan Jorgensen; Ben Johnson; and Austin deLaroque.
Board members have made a commitment to hosting Bingo at the Top Hat in 91³Ô¹ÏÍø every Thursday evening. In addition, they host a number of events throughout the year, including a meal for 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State athletes at the beginning of each school year, socials for Comet Athletic Club members, the Sportsmen’s Raffle, the Harvey McMullen Memorial Golf Tournament, and the MSU Classic Golf Scramble. We cannot thank these exceptional volunteers enough for all they do in support of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State and its student athletes.
Mark your calendar for upcoming Comet Athletic Club events: annual meeting, May 8; MSU Classic Golf Scramble, June 15; Harvey McMullen Golf tournament, July 12; and Sportsmen’s Raffle, September 14.
91³Ô¹ÏÍø State is blessed beyond compare by the outstanding support of volunteers. We thank each and every one of them.